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The Female Guide for Dressing for Success

For women, what you wear and how well you put yourself together can make or break a job interview. You want to look as professional as possible in order to capture the job of your dreams.

Make a Good First Impression
The first fifteen to thirty seconds of a job interview can make or break your chances. In order to have a shot at the position, you have to have a good first impression. Fifty-five percent of another person's perception of you is based on how you look.

Dress your best for the interview, regardless of the dress code at the organization. Wear a solid-color and somewhat conservative suit with a coordinated blouse.
Accompany this look with a neat, professional hairstyle, moderate-heeled shoes, limited jewelry, sparse make-up and perfume and tan or light hosiery.

Helpful Tips for Dressing for Success
Here are some tips for women who want to look their best, without necessarily spending a lot of money:

• Choosing the Right Outfit: Research the prospective employer. Companies and even industries have definable corporate cultures. Find out what the corporate dress code is and adhere to it. Try to select an outfit you have worn before and are comfortable wearing. Another good tip for choosing the right outfit is to stick to the color blue. Not only is it the favorite color of most Americans, but it also promotes calmness and displays confidence.
  
  
• Try on the outfit: A few days before the interview, try on the outfit you plan to wear so that you can evaluate whether or not you need to have it dry cleaned or make any repairs (i.e. missing buttons and frayed cuffs). Everything in your outfit must be clean, neat and ironed.

Shoes and Accessories

• Briefcase: Clean and polish your briefcase or purse and organize its contents.
   
  
• Hair and nails: Make sure that both are clean and groomed. If necessary, get a hair cut a few days before your interview.
  
  
• Jewelry: real jewelry, if you have it. Do not wear fake jewelry. Stay away from rhinestones, cufflinks, cloth watchbands, and novelty tie tacks.
   
  
• Scents: When choosing a fragrance, select on that is low-key. Be parsimonious with scent, as many people are allergic and too much perfume is an instant interview killer.
   
• Shoes: Choose should be comfortable and polished. Shoes that are clean and shined show a good attention to detail.
   
  
• Umbrella: If you need to bring an umbrella to an interview, choose one that is a conservative color (black, tan, navy or gray) and in working order. Do not leave it to drip on the company carpet.
  
  
• Winter coat: Be sure your coat is cleaned and pressed, particularly since a coat may be the first item your interviewer sees.

Additional Tips

• Allow time to dress with care and deal with emergencies. 
• Bring a pen and paper; check that the pen works and doesn't leak. Store them in your inside jacket pocket, where you can easily find them.
• Check for bulging pockets or sagging coat lining.
• Examine the results, front and back, in a mirror. It doesn't matter whether you are looking for a position at a grocery store or in an office, looking professional and dressing professional can mean everything, and in many cases it means looking the part.
• Remember that at every interview and job fair you are selling yourself. Make that first impression last.