| I would never consider myself a fashionista. In fact, I | | | | investing in a suit is one of the best investments you |
| am far, far, oh so far from it. However, that does | | | | can make in your career. It will take you from the |
| not stop me from devouring celebrity gossip blogs to | | | | interview all the way to your office Christmas party |
| see what the stars are sporting as they make their | | | | with only a change of shirt and tie. |
| daily Starbucks run, subscribing to over five fashion | | | | Opt for a two piece matching suit that leans towards |
| magazines and religiously watching Project Runway | | | | the conservative side in terms of color. Sure, the |
| thinking how amazing it would be if I had that kind of | | | | white double-breasted suit and shiny burgundy shirt |
| talent. In fact, at my day job as a software | | | | that Al Pacino's character wore in "Scarface" does |
| developer at a manufacturing site, I am the lone | | | | come across as quite powerful and will definitely |
| woman in an office of men. My work "outfit" | | | | leave a lasting impression, but it may not be the |
| normally consists of jeans, a random short-sleeved | | | | impression you are seeking. Choose a suit that is dark |
| shirt, a hoodie (you would think they were freezing | | | | gray or dark blue. While you do not need to spend |
| meat at our office) and my hair pulled back in a bun | | | | hundreds of dollars on a nice suit (although if you can |
| or pony tail. My only shout-out to fashion comes with | | | | afford it, by all means, go ahead), you will want to |
| my shoes which I try to keep cute and trendy but | | | | shell out some money to make sure the suit is |
| which go unappreciated by my male colleagues who | | | | tailored perfectly. There are a few points to keep in |
| only remark on how slippery they look and how they | | | | mind when purchasing your suit, because nothing |
| loudly click-clack on the factory floor. | | | | looks worse than an ill-fitting suit. |
| When I applied for this IT job, I knew from the | | | | The shoulder pads on a suit should not make you |
| get-go that everyday would be a casual Friday (most | | | | look like a linebacker. If they jut out farther than |
| jobs in information technology are), especially when I | | | | your own shoulders, the suit is too big. In terms of |
| realized we worked in a factory setting. Despite this | | | | your chest, the suit should be able to button without |
| everyday hobo-like attire and despite my knowing | | | | looking like it is seconds from popping and springing |
| that all my future colleagues would similarly dress like | | | | off your chest onto your interviewer. With that being |
| hobos, I knew that the job interview was a different | | | | said, the suit shouldn't fit so loose that you have |
| beast altogether. No matter what type of job you | | | | tons of extra room in the chest area. |
| may be applying for (even one in the meat-packing | | | | The sleeves of your suit should show about an inch |
| industry, in which case you can rent a space in our | | | | or so of your shirt sleeve and cufflinks. Cufflinks are |
| office...it is cold enough), you must always look sharp | | | | a great suit accessory and can range from the |
| at an interview. | | | | conservative to the playful. For example, if you are |
| First impressions are lasting impressions. I have had | | | | interviewing for a graphic artist position, a lighthearted |
| the opportunity to conduct interviews with our | | | | addition to your suit could be a pair of Mickey Mouse |
| company and I will admit that even though I go into | | | | Cufflinks to liven the mood and highlight your creative |
| the interview dressed in my usual IT attire, I expect | | | | side. |
| the interviewee to be dressed completely different. | | | | The suit pants should fit comfortably with just a little |
| He or she has no idea what kind of environment | | | | bit of give. As far as ties go, keep the playful |
| they are entering, so if I see they make little effort | | | | character ties at home and opt for a solid silk tie to |
| in their attire, that is definitely points lost in my book. | | | | match your shirt. Keep your shirt a light solid color, |
| If you find yourself preparing for an interview and | | | | like white or blue and match it up with the tie. Stick |
| are wondering how you should answer the question, | | | | with a dark black pair of shoes that are free of dust |
| "Where do you see yourself in five years?" I have | | | | and dirt. |
| no idea what you should say (although I would steer | | | | Scour a few men's fashion magazines, like GQ or |
| clear of saying something like, "I would like to have | | | | Esquire, before heading out to a suit store so that |
| stolen your job, sir."), but if you are lost in terms of | | | | you know the different styles that will be offered. |
| what to wear, we might be able to help you out. | | | | Suits vary ranging from different types of lapels to |
| Many articles will advise you to research the | | | | the number of buttons, so find a style that looks |
| company to determine what the dress code is | | | | great and go with that. A few days before your |
| before an interview thereby determining whether | | | | interview, spend a few dollars and be sure to have |
| you go to the interview more formal or more casual. | | | | the suit and shirt dry-cleaned and pressed. |
| You will definitely want to research the company | | | | With all this talk about what to wear at your |
| before your interview to get a feel for their mission | | | | interview, be sure to research your prospective |
| statement and overall environment; however, I | | | | employer thoroughly so you will be just as ready |
| personally think that you can never go wrong with a | | | | mentally. If you are bringing along a portfolio of your |
| suit and tie for an interview. After all, the better you | | | | work or extra copies of your resume (always a nice |
| dress, the more likely it is the interviewer will see you | | | | touch), be sure to pack them in a nice leather |
| as somebody who is professional and serious about | | | | portfolio case and leave the backpack you still have |
| securing the job. It may sound overstated, but | | | | from college at home. Good luck! |