OC Eagle

Dress for Success

 

Tips for MEN:

  • Always wear a two piece suit.
    Acceptable colors are navy, charcoal, light gray, and brown or beige. Fabric should be 100% WOOL and should be conservative, not flashy. The darker the suit, the more authority it carries. Solid colors and pin stripes are acceptable, so long as the stripes are thin and narrow.
  • SHIRTS:
    • Rule # 1: Always wear a long sleeved shirt.
    • Rule # 2: Always wear a white or pale blue shirt.
    • Rule # 3: Never violate rule one or two. There is something about a white cotton shirt that conveys honesty, intelligence and stability. For artist’s etc., pale blue should be the next option.
    • Rule # 4: No monograms
    • Rule # 5: No wash and wear.. Always make sure the shirt is starched and the trousers are professionally pressed.
  • TIES:
    A cheap looking tie can ruin an expensive suit. The right tie should be pure silk. The knot should be small, the length to the belt, the width no more than 2 ¾ to 3 ½".
    Do not wear polka dots, animal pictures or symbols such as golf clubs. No bow ties.
  • SHOES:
    Black or Brown leather. No Lace wing tips but you can wear slip-ons with out a tassel.
  • SOCKS:
    Should complement the suit. Wear Dark colors and make sure they are long enough so you do not bare shins when crossing legs. Do not cross legs during an interview even if your interviewer does.
  • ACCESSORIES:
    A simple watch and gold wedding band will do. No chains, earrings, nose-rings, pins, etc.

Tips for WOMEN:

  • Wear only dark tailored suites or skirt suites, conservative cut and length to the knee (never longer), and wool or non crinkle fabric. Synthetics tend to retain odor even after dry cleaning. NO Reds or Purples Please. Wool gabardine is most popular.  Pant suits are okay in today’s business environment, but be careful of trendy styles.
  • BLOUSES: Solid colors, long sleeves, with collar buttoned. Be careful of fads and new styles that may look appealing under your pant suit, but may not be professional to someone in the business setting.  You never know how traditional the person interviewing you will be.  If you are unsure; change.
  • NECKWEAR: A good light scarf conservatively draped is acceptable.
  • SHOES: Leather pumps or Laced Oxfords with heels in dark colors. No Reds, OR Light colors.
  • HOSE: Natural skin tones or Black is acceptable.
  • ACCESSORIES: A Briefcase, or Handbag is acceptable. Not both. Transfer essentials or makeup to a clutch, which fits inside your briefcase.
  • BELTS: Conservative and the width of the waistband.
  • PANTS: Wear only a tailored conservative pant/ suit.
  • JEWELRY: Less and small is more. Nothing too dangly.
  • MAKEUP: Professional and less to complement the colors of clothes.
  • HYGIENE: Please do not wear any cologne or fragrance. Your interviewer may be allergic and this is the best way to cut the interview short. IF you smoke do not do so before an interview and do not spray perfume on in the car on the way.

Other tips in dressing for interviews:

    • If you are in question about your outfit--change! 
    • You want to be comfortable, so try sitting in a chair in front of a mirror to double-check lengths, blouse buttons, etc.
    • Have someone else look over your outfit front and back to check for any reason to change.
    • 65% of the interview is visual not oral, so dress the part!

 

Faculty Facts

Holly Osburn Dr. Holly Osburn, Professor of Psychology, is interested in women in the workplace, leadership, and organizational conflict. Dr. Osburn enjoys working with her students and has several favorite memories from OC. "I met my husband here--that's probably the best. Also, I still have very close friends from here."

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