Look your Best in your Next Interview!

You always hear that for an interview, you should dress for success--but what does that really mean? Here are some tid-bits about personal grooming to keep in mind as you prepare for your next mock or real interview:

1. Do not wear too much fragrance. If you have been told in the past, "I smell you when you leave the room," YES that is too much.
2. Brush your teeth (and make sure you check for bagel seeds in-between!) 
3. Wear clothes that fit. If they are too tight, you will look uncomfortable and feel uncomfortable as well.
4. Wear comfortable shoes; for ladies, make sure your heel height is appropriate.
5. Ladies, keep a shorter nail length and wear neutral nail polish.
6. Minimal jewelry overall; for the men, NO earrings.
7. Hair should be neat and clean (keep in mind, there are MANY old school interviewers, know the work culture of the company!)
8. Makeup – less is best!
9. For clothing, men should wear a dark suit and ladies may want to consider wearing stockings with your skirt suit (better to safe than sorry!)
10. No matter your look, bring your BEST you.

Have you come into the Career Center for a Mock Interview? If you haven't, you should! Schedule one by calling us at 516-463-6060 or using our online scheduler at hofstra.edu/career!

Lorraine Massiah,
Assistant Director

What are you wearing?

What are you wearing right now? (go ahead, I’ll wait while you look…)  OK, now ask yourself “what would a total stranger say about me based on what I am wearing at this moment?”  Words that might answer that questions may include casual, stylish, sloppy, neat, professional or lazy.

When meeting an employer, the first impression that you make will be a lasting one, for better or for worse.  You should give careful consideration to your attire any time you will be in the presence of a potential employer, and this includes job fairs.  For those who will be attending the Career Center Job and Internship Fair on March 7, what impression do you want to make on the company representatives who have come to our campus specifically to meet with Hofstra students?  The students who stand out (in a GOOD way) are the ones who have taken this meeting seriously and have dressed the part.  So what does that mean you should wear? Well, you can’t go wrong with a classic business suit.  If that is not possible, slacks and a dress shirt, and a tie for the gentlemen, is acceptable. 

The following video does an excellent job of portraying what is appropriate, and what is not.

Still not sure?  Contact us in The Career Center and we will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

 ~Darlene Johnson, Career Counselor