Valerie Fitzgerald  

So, you’ve landed the interview for that dream job you’ve been working so hard to get. Congratulations! But you don’t want to blow it by making critical errors when it comes to dressing for that interview, right?

Well, here are my top 10 Must Not Do’s for working women when dressing for a successful interview:

1. No out-of-date or trendy suits.

All working women know the importance of a good business suit, but it’s also important that your suit doesn’t set you up for failure by being too out-of-date or too trendy. Dusting off your 80’s padded shoulder jacket that is two sizes too small or large will not make the impression you will want to make. This is an especially common problem for moms who have spent the last few years at home raising their children and are beginning to head out into the workforce for the first time in years…or decades! It can be tough relearning how to shop for business attire…particularly if your body has gone through some changes of its own since the last time you graced an office building.

So…keep two things in mind when shopping or dressing for an interview:

No out-of date suits with padded shoulders, large bell bottom pants or anything that fits too tight or is too big. These are suits that have lapels that are too wide (three inches or more) or too narrow (one inch or less).

No trendy suits. You’re much better off investing in a classic suit that will last for years than a trendy suit that will leave you looking dated by next season. Chances are your interviewer will be dressed conservatively- it is safe to go that route yourself.

2. No open-toed or backless shoes….or flip-flops….or sneakers.

Open-toed and backless shoes should be kept for other occasions. Your interviewer doesn’t want to look at your bare toes whether they are manicured or not. And flip-flops and sneakers should be saved for the weekend – it’s that simple.

3. No perfume.

Even the best smelling perfume can be risky to wear to a job interview, and here’s why….we all associate certain scents with certain people, events or times in our lives. And, while your perfume may smell lovely to you, it may very well be the same scent your interviewer’s ex-wife or late mother wore. Without knowing it this could negatively effect the impression you leave behind. It’s also important to keep in mind that your interviewer may be allergic to perfumes. Whether you’ve chosen perfume you feel is strong or not to you it is not a good sign if your interviewer is sneezing throughout the interview.

Continue to join me this week as we take a look at must not do tips 4-10 for working women when it comes to dressing for a successful interview.

Remember, if you shoot for the moon and miss, you are still among the stars!

Valerie Fitzgerald