Bullet-Proof Interview Suit

Wednesday, July 9th 2008 by Shanel Yang         Email this article to a friend

In my very first year at UCLA Law School, just as we were starting our second semester, the on campus interviews began. Suddenly, students who had previously shown up to classes in nothing but tee shirts and jeans were now strutting around in brand new suits and dress shoes.

The problem was not all of them looked like they were going to job interviews at some of the most prestigious—and conservative—law firms in the country. In fact, some of them looked more like they were going clubbing or, worse, about to sell some used cars or life insurance. (Not to knock those equally valid professions. We all get our share of negative stereotypes. See, e.g., “100 Best Lawyer Jokes.”)

Some women fared no better—looking like they were going to tea parties or gala fundraisers in everything from pastel suit dresses to satin- and/or velvet-trimmed evening suits—while some men sported navy blazers with gold crests and gold buttons paired with beige Dockers pants; or, green suits, beige suits, or plaid suits. Women in open-toed slingbacks without pantyhose! Men in loafers without socks! Women with too much jewelry and make up. Men with stubbly faces and necks and hairy ears and noses. Not everyone looked like that for their interviews. Just enough for me to realize that smart students don’t always equal wardrobe smarts.

I don’t know if a bad suit will ruin your interview if you otherwise have stellar credentials, but it certainly couldn’t hurt. And, it’ll do wonders for your confidence!

There is a formula for a bullet-proof interview outfit for all white-collar jobs in the traditionally conservative fields of law, banking, accounting, medicine, teaching, and politics. (This is not an article about how to dress for blue-collar job interviews or for careers in the more “creative” fields of architecture or interior design, fashion or the arts, entertainment, internet startups, etc. Therapists and consultants are somewhere in between the traditional/conservative and the more creative fields.)

BULLET-PROOF INTERVIEW SUIT FOR WOMEN

Now I know that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there about what is the perfect interview outfit for women. Believe me, I’ve heard them all when I mentored law school students—and also when I was an image consultant to college and business students as well as to working professionals. They told me that they heard “this was fine” or “that was recommended” or “so and so got a great job and she wore something totally crazy!” If you have enough confidence (and a creative explanation), you just might be able to pull off a burlap bag with matching wooden clogs on your feet at your next big corporate interview; but, I just don’t advise it.

A. BLACK, NAVY, OR GRAY CONSERVATIVE SKIRT SUIT

Pick a well-fitted, quality-made skirt suit (jacket and skirt) in solid black, navy, or gray—preferably all black—made of a lightweight wool or wool blend, so you can wear it all year round. (I would check brands such as, from least expensive (usually) to most expensive, Ann Taylor, Liz Clairborne, Jones New York, Charter Club, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Armani, and, my one time worst guilty pleasure, Brioni.) Single-breasted or double-breasted doesn’t matter, as long as it looks good on you. The skirt length should be no shorter than the top of your knees when standing and no longer than cocktail length (anywhere between the bottom of your knees to the top of your ankles, again while standing). Wear whatever length is most flattering on your frame and, especially, your legs.

Can you wear a pants suit? Yes. But, then, make sure the pant legs aren’t too roomy or billowy and, thus, look more like a long skirt than pants. If you look better in pants than skirts and feel more comfortable in them, then go for it. But, just remember that some old-fashioned men and women still insist that the skirt suit is the most formal, and, hence, best interview outfit for females. If I really wanted to impress the heck out of a potential employer, I’d wear my basic black skirt suit, even though I really dislike the restricted movements of wearing skirts!

B. BLACK, NUDE, OR BEIGE PANTYHOSE OR TIGHTS

Speaking of legs, they should always be covered with pantyhose in spring or summer and tights in fall or winter, if desired. Colors should be in solid black, nude, or beige only. Nothing patterned, textured, shimmery, fishnet, with back seams or garter belts—or otherwise attention-grabbing in any way. A lot of young women are confused about how attractive/sexy versus how professional/serious they should try to appear/act for even the most traditionally conservative job interviews.

Let me make it absolutely clear: If you show up looking like you are trying to show off your breasts, butt, legs, jewelry, fragrance, or extravagantly coiffed hair, makeup, or nails, you will lose a lot of credibility—starting with the receptionist and everyone else who happens to catch a glimpse or whiff of you. And, believe me, the hiring committee asks everyone for their input about exactly what they thought of you. If most of what they hear about you is how attractive you looked, or how great you smelled, or about your sexy strut, you are not going to get any job offers from any reputable offices—no matter what you’ve seen on TV or at the movies.

C. BLACK LEATHER PUMPS WITH MODERATE HEELS

You can’t go wrong with basic black leather pumps (so you can wear them all year round as opposed to patent leather which is only for spring and summer and suede which is only for winter) with moderate heels (1 1/2″ - 2″). Buy the best you can afford that are also the most comfortable you can find, and take excellent care of them. Wear them only for interviews if you can, and they’ll last you a lifetime. If they have minor scuffs or other signs of wear and tear on them, get them professionally repaired and polished. No open toes. No sling backs. If you must, pick one or the other, but not both. You still need to wear pantyhose or tights.

I hope I don’t need to say this, but just in case: No ankle bracelets or toe rings.

D. WHITE CREW-NECK SHELL AND FAUX PEARLS

I highly recommend a plain white crew-neck cotton shell or sweater with at least cap-sleeves, but the sleeves can go all the way down to your wrists if you like. Collared shirts also look quite professional. However, they’re a hassle to keep the collar positioned perfectly over your suit jacket lapels (especially if you happen to take your jacket off during the interview—which I don’t recommend), to keep the buttons you want buttoned safely buttoned at all times, and to keep the shirt bottoms tucked neatly into your skirt waistband, even after sitting for a long time.

It’s best to avoid all that unnecessary extra worry with a nice shell or sweater that stays perfectly in place at all times. As comfy as a tee shirt but totally appropriate for interviews! Why would you ever say “no” to that? (It can even be a tee shirt if the cut is a bit more snug or tailored than most tee shirts, the fabric is thick enough that silhouette your bra doesn’t show through, and is either short enough to leave out over the waistband of your skirt and still not look sloppy or long enough to tuck in without any worries that it’ll pull itself out while you sit.)

As an added bonus, a string of pearls (they don’t have to be real; an inexpensive string of fake ones look just as great!) frames crew necks and your own neck perfectly. This adds that slight softening touch of femininity, if desired (with a pair of matching earrings completes the look), while still appearing 100% professional.

E. HAIR, FACE, AND NAILS

1. Hair

For hair length, just past the shoulders or shorter is best. Remember Melanie Griffith in Working Girl, Michelle Pfeiffer in Up Close & Personal, and Nicole Kidman in To Die For. If you have straight hair and a round face like me, a shoulder-length bob parted in the middle is a great look. However, I got bored with my bob after 10 years and finally decided to let it grow long—very long. Which meant I mostly wore it up at work. If you really want to wear long hair down, make sure it stays out of your face at all times during the interview. What you don’t want is to be brushing strands of hair off your face or behind your ears—in fact, don’t touch your hair (or face, or nails, or adjust your blouse, skirt, jacket, or otherwise groom yourself)—at all during interviews or other important meetings if you want to be taken seriously.

Do blondes have more fun? Maybe, but blondes, especially platinum blondes, have an uphill battle at job interviews in the more traditionally conservative fields, unless you’re applying for the receptionist or secretary positions. I’m not suggesting you change your favorite hair color (or, worse, dye your naturally blonde hair darker) just to get the job of your dreams. All, I’m saying is that I would—at least to help me get my foot in the door. (Which is the exactly same reason why I always wore my best black skirt suit to job interviews when I really wanted to impress.)

2. Face

Very light make up is fine. If you are very good at applying more heavy make up while still creating a natural look, then go for it! I recommend browns instead of pinks and reds. Think Bobbi Brown. Not so much Lancome or MAC. Most importantly, you don’t want makeup that you have to touch up during your interview. (For example, shiny forehead, nose, or chin; runny eyeliner or mascara; and lipstick that disappears during a lunch interview but the lip liner doesn’t, leaving clownish look.)

3. Nails

Shorter is better. No polish is perfectly fine. If you must use polish, clear, peach, nude, browns, French tips, or classic reds are fine. But, then, you need to make sure all 10 fingernails are presentable, and resist the urge to pick at them or otherwise pay them any attention during the interview. No other decorations on the nails (no fancy patterns other than French tips, no glue-on rhinestones, no painted flowers, and no decals). While we’re on the subject of hands, no jewelry except a watch and no rings except wedding or engagement rings, if applicable.

BULLET-PROOF INTERVIEW SUIT FOR MEN

A. NAVY OR GRAY SUIT

Not black for men because, if it’s a good suit, you look like you’re dressed to go to a formal or a funeral; and, if it’s a poor quality suit, you might look like a waiter or a valet parking attendant. Solid navy or gray is best. No patterns. If you must go with pinstripes, make sure the stripes are white and almost invisible from a distance. Go with an all-year wool or wool blend. Buy the best you can afford.

All the other details depend on what looks best on you. However, there are a few guidelines. Single-breasted jackets are more versatile than double-breasted jackets. Double-breasted jackets look best on big men. Don’t ever wear a double-breasted jacket open. For single-breasted suit jackets, 2 or 3 buttons work best in the business environment because they look tidier than the single-button and not as clubby as the four-button. But, no matter how many buttons your jacket has (unless it has just one), never button the bottom button. Side vents or no vents are for slimmer butts. Rear center vents are roomier for bigger butts.

For suit trousers, plain fronts look great on slim men. Pleated fronts for larger mid-sections. Two pleats for even larger mid-sections. Tall men can wear cuffs to add visual interest, but cuffs on short men tend to make them look even shorter.

B. WHITE DRESS SHIRT

A straight or point collar is best because it works well with all face shapes and all tie knots. I recommend an all white shirt so you don’t have to worry about matching your tie with your shirt, and you just can’t go wrong with white.

C. BLACK LEATHER OXFORDS

Plain-toe or cap-toe, the all black leather oxford is perfect for job interviews and any other important business meeting. Buy a quality pair, and keep them shined. Wear plain thin black socks, preferably over-the-calf, so your ankles never show. I recommend the Gold Toe brand. They’re inexpensive and, if you buy all the same style, you’ll never need to throw out any of them just because you lost its pair.

D. HAIR, FACE, AND NAILS

1. Hair

A short, conservative cut and style is best. If you must keep it long, tie it neatly out of the way in a low ponytail using a plain, thin, hair accessory rubber band that matches the color of your hair as closely as possible. No matter what your hair style, no locks of hair should fall onto or cover any part of your face. Mousse it, gel it, or spray it if you have to (but, then, air out your head of any strong smells).

2. Face

Clean-shaven is best. I know goatees help hide weak chins and sideburns can elongate a round face, but I don’t recommend these for the job interview. Shave them temporarily and you can always grow them back later—unless they’re a big part of your signature look and you just can’t feel comfortable without them.

3. Nails

Nails should be trimmed, filed, and clean. No polish. Not even a buffing if it results in too much shine. No jewelry except watches and wedding rings, if applicable.

CONCLUSION

If you know you’ll have to interview (e.g., if you’ve been accepted to law school, business school, or medical school, and you know you’re going to actually stick through it long enough to begin the job interview process, which for law schools is already in the first year, as I mentioned!) and you don’t have an appropriate interview outfit, start shopping now. For some crazy reason, the department stores don’t always carry a great selection of suits or shoes for interviews. This is especially true for women. Well, now that you know what to wear, all you need to focus on is your interview skills. Good luck! Be awesome, and be your own hero!

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