Job Interview: Dress for Success

Dressing for success: A job interview guide for guys

By Ann Wallace Khan

“When you look your best, you’ll do your best.” Mom’s advice to you was right. When you look good, you feel good. Dressing well can equip you to take on almost anything, even a last-minute job interview. So how do you make sure you’re a fashion do and not a fashion don’t? Pay extra attention to how you dress – from the bottom up.

It’s all in the shoes.

The Italians, who know a lot about style, say if your shoes aren’t right nothing else matters. They’re right. Great shoes can turn an inexpensive suit into “wow,” but the wrong shoes can drag down an expensive suit. For job interviews and important occasions, be sure to buy a good pair of dress shoes. For a more casual look, invest in good loafers or driving mocs. As accountants would say, you’ll see a low cost-per-wear. In other words, when you buy quality shoes and wear them often, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Polish makes a difference.

 Yes, you have to polish your shoes. No, you don’t have to travel to an international airport to find the last professional shine guy. Jos. A. Bank makes a palm-sized polisher that uses a silicone shine for immediate results. Buy three: one for your bathroom, another for your car and another for your computer case. Then use it. You’ll look and feel great.

Socks talk.

No, you can’t wear black shoes and black socks with your khakis. Despite what you might think, your socks should not match your shoes. The best rule of thumb is to match your socks to your pants. From now on, every time you buy pants be sure to buy three pairs of socks that match them. Then you’ll have a pair to wear, a pair for spare and a pair in the laundry. There are exceptions to this rule and David Letterman knows them. Watch “Late Night” and take notes!

Blend your belts.

At all cost, avoid bisecting your body with a brown strap of leather. This transgression occurs most frequently when men wear khakis and light-colored shirts. That brown belt cuts you right in half and draws attention to your problem areas. Choose warmer-colored khakis, like British Tan, and then match your belt to that color. Or wear a dark-colored polo or shirt with a dark belt so that the belt blends with the top. Like having quality shoes, a good collection of belts is a good investment.

Update your knots.

If the only tie knot you know is the one Dad taught you, it’s time to do some homework. There are 5 standard tie knots and at the very least, you should learn how to do three of them: the four in hand, Prince Albert, and Half Windsor all have an aristocratic look. Brooks Brothers is a great resource to learn new knots. Find one that fits your face, personality and tie. Practice the knot a few days before your job interview, so you don’t get flustered and end up wearing your clip-on bow tie. Men notice each other’s ties, the way women notice jewelry. Impress them. It matters.

The way you dress really does make a difference, especially in a job interview. You might love that old NASCAR shirt, but potential employers will not. Dress your best, and you will be noticed. Guaranteed.

Ann Wallace Khan is an image consultant based in Richmond, Virginia. Learn more at polishva.com.