Black Collegian Career Center

Whoever coined the phrase “you can’t judge a book by its cover” was certainly out of touch. Although the intent of the phrase holds true, the reality of it is that we all make judgments of one another based on presentation. In fact, we make statements all the time without uttering a single word, and rest assured, others will certainly take note of what we have to say. You want to be sure that your look is making the right statement about you.

Although the dress code for corporate America is taking a turn for the casual these days, you should not simply assume a casual state for interviewing. According to Harriette Cole, author of How to Be – A Guide to Contemporary Living for African Americans, one should “err on the side of conservative in the beginning,” at the job interview and/or the first few days on the job. She recommends taking note of the ways peers and management dress. This should give you a good indication of how you should present yourself. But if you’re just beginning to interview, there are some standard things to consider when preparing your interview wardrobe.

Women usually have a greater range of fashion choices for interviews than do men, but they should keep in mind the following wardrobe rules:

John Molloy, author of the bestseller, The New Dress for Success and image consultant to such corporate giants as General Motors and Merrill Lynch, advises that students should take note of “what’s been worn by those who are considered successful and influential. You’ll want to emulate their mode of dress.” For women, something that looks expensive is the best choice. “Cross shop. Go to the most expensive/conservative shop in town. Look at the shades, styles, and textures. Then go to the store that you can afford and find a suit combo that looks most like those in the more expensive store,” says Molloy. He also contends that if your jacket does not match the bottom part of your outfit, it is not considered a suit. For an interview, the suit should be uniform.

According to Debra Paige, Corporate Employment manager with SAKS, Inc., “In order to get your foot in the door in corporate America, you’ve got to take a conservative approach.” Paige has the opportunity to see young hopefuls on a regular basis come through the doors hoping to be accepted into the corporate fold. Her best advice to young women is to consider the word “conservative” as the benchmark. “You don’t want to show up for an interview dressed too trendy or showing a lot of skin. Stay away from “flashy” clothing, make sure the hemline on the dress/suit is appropriate, and no open toe shoes or sandals should be worn. You come across much more professionally when you wear nice pumps. Also, if you have tattoos, you should conceal them, if at all possible. People tend to think you’re wild, eccentric or even rebellious – not professional. These labels may be far from the truth, but that’s the perception.”

Does this advice really help you get in the door? It not only gets you in the door, but it can lead to the ultimate reward of employment in corporate America. Let's take the case of Chandra Leach, (right) who recently graduated magna cum laude with a degree in math from Tuskegee. She had a successful interview stint and landed a position with Lockheed Martin as a satellite systems engineer. When asked how she learned the ABC’s of self-promotion and presentation, Leach commented that, “My campus Placement Office gave us advice on what to wear for interviews. This information was contained in a handout that was given to each student scheduled for interviews. Women were advised to wear dark suits (either black or blue), a white shirt and skin tone hose. Young women were also advised not to wear pants or dresses.”

Now, let’s not forget the guys. What types of things should a guy consider when dressing for an interview?

Men and women should also consider minimizing their jewelry during the interview. Current styles in jewelry incorporate thumb and toe rings, along with multiple bracelets and ringlets worn not only in the ears, but various other places on the body. Although appropriate outside of work, it should not be part of your corporate interview wardrobe. If you have an opportunity, visit a corporation near you and note how the employees dress. You’re likely not to see many nose rings or other piercings on display. Molloy contends that, “shaved heads, dreads and other non-traditional hairstyles are not advised in a corporate setting.” These styles may send a message about you that may not be accurate, but will be based on the interviewer’s perception of you. As one student put it, “It’s not fair,” but that is the reality in corporate America.

“Whether African American or Caucasian, the message one sends is better if by that message you are perceived to be affluent. The message is that you are educated, articulate, etc.,” adds Molloy. This message does not seem to be as well communicated in casual attire. With the advent of more casual work environments, the suit is no longer considered the standard it once was. However, Molloy warns, you “better wear a suit regardless of the dress code at the company. You should wear a suit until you can determine another best alternative.”  Molloy suggests a blue or gray suit for interviews. The suit should be matched with a white shirt and a couple of ties to determine which tie looks best with the outfit. Match the suit with conservative black shoes with executive (above the calf) socks. The belt that completes the outfit should be black and match the shoes. What about jewelry? “Just say no to jewelry. Remember, you want to call attention to your abilities, not your watch or rings, etc. “For an interview, young men should wear a watch with a simple leather band (no flashy gold nugget or diamonds). Also, no tie clip, collar clip, or cuff links.”

High-tech companies have increased their number and a lot of new college grads are seeking to join their ranks. Corporate culture within such organizations tends to be more relaxed. If you’ve landed an interview and you’re advised to come casual, don’t panic. “Young women tend to be able to wear clothing that looks more expensive, even if casual. It’s more difficult for men,” reports Molloy. “Dockers and a very nice shirt can sometimes work in this type of situation.” This mode of dress should include a brown loafer or other shoe (no wing tips) worn with executive socks. To dress the slacks, make sure they have a cuff. Paige agrees, stating that a “casual golf shirt and slacks” will suffice for a casual interview. Molloy also warns, “Minorities and women, in my opinion, are suffering as a result of the shift to casual dress. This is a real trap. They have to pay tremendous attention to what they put on. It’s easy to be perceived as unprofessional based on the casualness of one's attire.”

Here're some other words of advice as you begin the interview process: 

q       “Contact the company in advance of the interview to get information on dress code and try to have the most conservative version of that,” says Molloy.

q       According to Paige, “In corporate America, the more conservative the better. Stick to that train of thought and once you’ve gotten a job and established yourself, you can be a bit more liberal with your clothing choices.”

q       “Get to the interview early and duck into a restroom to spruce yourself up. It’s easy to become slightly disshelved as you travel to the interview site. If you are carrying an overcoat, check with the receptionist for a place to hang it.  Better yet, try not to take it to the interview. Go to the waiting area and be polite, even if the interviewer is late,” Molloy advises.

q       Check out Mark Dorio’s book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting the Job You Want. It has a very informative section on “cracking the corporate dress codes and looking your best.”

q       Don’t hesitate to get advice from experienced sales associates, whose job it is to dress corporate professionals and executives. They can help you choose a conservative look that works well for you.

Portia Ballard Espy is the Human Resources manager for Entergy Mississippi and is a regular contributor to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.