CAREER CENTER

www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career

The following are basic guidelines to help you better understand employers’ expectations of professional appearance during the recruitment process (mock interviews, interviews, info sessions, meet-and-greets, etc). While these will apply to a broad range of employers, it’s important to recognize that standards vary across industries and organizations. Do your own research into the organizational values and culture, which informs recruiters’ expectations of candidates’ appearance.

The DO’s and DON’Ts of Dressing the Part for Your Internship Search

Do…• Planaheadoftime-getyourwardrobereadyinanticipationoflandinganinterview.• Chooseattirethatenablesyoutowalkandsitcomfortably.• Researchthecultureoftheorganization(s)youhopetojoin–trollwebsites,askalumniandrecruiters.• Dressmoreformallythananemployeeinyourchosenorganizationwoulddressonatypicalworkday.• Selectclothingthatfitsyourframeinallitsdimensions,orhaveittailoredsoitwill.• Forthemostpart,it’swisetoobscuretattoosandremovefacialpiercingswhenmeetingemployers.• Iron/press/drycleanyourclothingaccordingtogarmentlabelinstructions.• Takethe“sittest”:doesskinshowbetweenpants&socks?Areyourthighstooexposedinyourskirt?• Polish/repairshoesthathavescuffsorwornoutheelsandsoles.• Useyourattiretoshowyouunderstandwhatitmeanstobeaprofessionalinyourinterviewer’sfield.• Projectaneatandput-togetherimage,nomatterwhichindustryareasyouareinterviewingfor.• Holda“fulldressrehearsal”afewdaysaheadoftimetomakesureeverythingisinplace.• Carryyourinterviewessentials(extraresumes,notepad,pen)inaneatlookingfolderor“padfoilio”.• Keepearbuds,Bluetoothdevices,mobilephones,andothertechnologyoutofsight(andearshot).• Demonstrateyourpersonalstylewheninterviewingwithacreativetypeoforganization.

Don’t…• Assumeonestandardfitsallindustriesororganizations• Breakthebank!Seeoursmartwardrobeinvestmenttipsbelow!•Wearill-fittingclothing.•Waittillthelastminutetoputtogetheraninterviewoutfit.•Wearfragrance.Itcanbedistractingtointerviewersandmayevencausethemanallergicreaction.

What Recruiters & Managers Have to Say

Ifyoucanweartheoutfitouttoaclub,movie,dinnerwithfriends—thenyoushouldn’twearittoaninterview.-VeronicaNolan,UrbanAlliance

WhenIseeastudentwearingafullsuit…Iwonder1.ifthisstudentknowsanythingaboutGoogleandisthereforeactuallyinterestedinworkingforthecompany,and2.iftheyareaculturefit.-KiraChappell,Google

Youshouldlookasifyouweregoingtoacustomer.-PatSkelly,IBM

Asacompanyinthefashionindustry,wealsolookforourcandidatestogooutsideofthe‘safezone’andassertordemon-stratealittlemorepersonalitywiththeirattirewithoutbeingtooextreme…Chosenattiremayalsoindicatewhethertheirvaluesmatchourscompany’svalues(i.e.cuttingedge,risktaker).-DarletteHutchinson, ShawlsmithLondon

Thelastthingyouwanttothinkaboutareshoeshurtingyourfeetoraskirtthatyoucan’tsitdownin!Inoticethatthestudentsthatarecomfortabletendtoexhibitmoreconfidence.Confidenceiskeytolandingajob.-LindePusateri,INTERPOL

Consider investing some money in tailoring a suit (taking in the sides, shortening the sleeves). Good tailoring can make a relatively inexpensive suit look much more pricey (and makes the candidate look more polished and mature as a result). - David Ong, MAXIMUS

www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/career

More Tips …mostly for women

Fit/Cut: • Hemlineshouldfalljustaboveorbelowthekneewhenyouarestanding.

• Avoidwearinganythingtootight,short,low-cut,orotherwiserevealingisinappropriate.

• Avoidskirts/dresseswithhighaslitinback.• Clothingshouldnotrestrictwalkingandsit-ting.

Tops:• Wearacamisoleunderneathabuttondownshirttopreventgapsbetweenbuttons.

Legwear: • Withskirt/dress,ruleofthumbistowearsheerpantyhosesimilartoyourskintone.

• Withpants,thintrousersocksorknee-highs.Makesuretheystayupanddon’trevealyourlegwhensitting.

Shoes: • Closed-toe/-backshoeswithamodest-sizedheel;dressierflatsmayalsobeappropriate.

• Wearshoesyoucanwalkincomfortably.• Teeteringontoo-highheelsisnotflattering.

Accessories and Makeup: • Avoidlarge,flashyaccessoriesandotherdaz-zlingvisualdetails.

Grooming: • Considerpullinglongerhairbackinastylethatkeepsitawayfromyourface.

• Keepnailsshort,filed,andneutralincolor.

…mostly for men

Fit/Cut: • Makesureallcomponentsofyoursuitoroutfitfitappropriately:pantsandsleevestherightlength,shoulderstherightwidth,jacketsneithertooloosenortootight.

Color/Pattern:• Chooseabutton-updressshirtinsolid,neutral,lightercolor.

• Subtlestripesorplaidcanalsobeappropriate.

• Darkshirtsandboldpatternscanlook“clubby.”

Accessories: • Avoidskinnytiesformostsettings• RememberthatYOUwanttobethefocus,notyouraccessories.

• Avoidnoveltytiesorthosewithbusypatterns.

• Coordinateyourbeltcolorwithyourshoecolor.

Legwear: • Choosedark-coloreddresssocksandmakesuretheyarehighenoughandelasticenoughtokeepyourskincoveredwhenyouaresittingdown.

Grooming:• Keephairneatandavoidvisibleuseofproducts.

• Keepnailsshortandfiled.

Smart wardrobe investments$Ironandironingboard–sharewitharoommate$Tailoring–goodfitisessential,includetailoringinyourbudget$Shoerepair–oldshoeswilllooknewagain!$Upscaleresaleshops–alwaystryonandinspectclothing$Drycleaning–wheninstructionscallforit$Consultationatadepartmentstoretolearnaboutappropriatefit,soyoucanspendyourmoneywisely.