How to Win the Job by Communicating with Confidence

Fearless Interviewing

It is almost impossible to overdress for an interview

unless you are wearing a tuxedo or a beaded

evening gown.

Dressing up is not only a way to make you attractive; it is one
of the many signals of respectyou will send to the interviewer dur-
ing this first 20 seconds. It says, “I respect your time enough to
think carefully about my wardrobe.”
Many of my clients object to dressing up for an interview.
They may complain that the vice president of the company is
wearing shorts and sandals and has an untrimmed beard. Or that
the CEO is wearing Gloria Vanderbilt jeans and cowboy boots.
The difference between you and the interviewer is that you don’t
have an office with your name on the door (yet).

Before you get the job, take the time to be more

formal and more conservative than you would nor-

mally be. (Then, when you’re hired, you can don

your army boots, expose your tattoos, and get

down to work with the best of them!)

Remember, it is not the price of your clothes or how well they
match the latest fashion. What makes the difference is that you
give the distinct appearance of having taken some time to put
yourself together. A few guidelines to achieve that image follow.

Men

Shoes Hard-soled, hard-toed. The best colors are black or
brown. No tennis shoes, sandals, or boots. I once heard that
interviewers spend a lot of time looking at shoes! It would be a
shame to go to the trouble of shaving and putting on your best
black suit, only to find that the toes and heels of your shoes look
scuffed and shabby. Take the time to have your shoes shined, or,
if you’re in the mood, do it yourself. It will help complete the pic-
ture for a knockout first impression!