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How To: Dress to Impress for an Interview

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Iowa chapter.

Now that college is coming to an end for some or just starting for others, interviews will inevitably become second nature. What you wear to an interview is very important. It could make or break your chances of getting the position you are interviewing for. I found this out the hard way after wearing jean capris and a half zip that was from the organization I was interviewing for. Big surprise – I did NOT get the job. I may have completely bombed my interview, but I mostly blame my attire for not getting the position. Whether it’s a very laid back interview or a very professional one, always dress to impress. Here are a few tips to look your best for your next interview:

  • Business casual is always a good choice.  A nice blouse with a pair of dress slacks or a pencil skirt looks very nice when presenting yourself to potential employers.
  • Don’t be sloppy. Everything should be clean and pressed. And make sure to double check for tags on new clothing items, or any dangling threads, etc.
  • Don’t confuse business attire with club attire. What you wear out on the town probably isn’t your best option when in an interview setting.
  • Be conservative. Conservative makeup, jewelry, colors, and clothing are good. Stick to neutral colors and simple accessories—you don’t want to distract anyone away from what the interview is all about.
  • Hair should be clean and neat. Avoid bright nail polish and be minimal on your perfume—some people have allergies to certain perfumes and you don’t want an allergic reaction during your interview.

If you keep these things in mind and avoid my mistake, then you should be ready for any interview! 

Emily is a junior at the University of Iowa and is studying Journalism and Pre-Law with a minor in Health Communication. She has been a part of the Her Campus University of Iowa team since it was founded in 2010 and is a member of Ed on Campus. She has grown to love magazine writing and editing and if she somehow can't land her dream job (to be Carrie Bradshaw), she wouldn't mind settling for a job in the magazine industry. If nothing else, she hopes to attend law school somewhere in the Bay Area out West, her favorite place to be. Since the age of 15, Emily spent her summers in California, doing internships and falling in love with San Francisco. Some of her other interests include her 4-month-old longhaired wiener dog Henry, blogging, celebrity gossip, sushi, Private Practice, fro-yo, being a journalism nerd, and anything involving good conversation with good people. Although she's not exactly sure of her plans for the future, she knows journalism will somehow be the driving force in her career.