How to dress your best for job interviews and beyond

In "Interviewing Skills" workshops presented by UCSB's Career Services, Associate Director Molly Steen talks about the "three P's" of job interviews (see "Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Developing Winning Job Interview Skills"). Through Preparation, Practice, and Presentation, she says, you show the potential employer your "professional personality." Equally important for both the interview and on the job are a few other P's: looking polished, put together, and professional. That is what wardrobe consultant Lori Cooper emphasized at a workshop Thursday called "Dress Your Best for Job Interviews and Beyond."

Wardrobe Wisdom founder and owner Cooper, who has been a professional wardrobe consultant for eight years, went over the basics for making a positive first impression during the job interview and in a work environment. Her workshop was timely, as Career Services is holding its Winter Career Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Corwin Pavilion.

She stressed several common themes during her presentation. For the job interview and in the workplace, tailored and well-fitting clothing are essential. This means, for example, no baggy attire or unhemmed pants that drag on the floor. Simple and non-distracting clothing, accessories, and makeup are best for the interview (avoid the sparkly gold eye shadow or novelty necktie). Good grooming, such as neatly styled hair and clean, trimmed nails, show you care about yourself as well as the company you are interviewing with.

At least a week in advance of the job interview or first day on the job, "Do a dry run," Cooper said. "By that I mean try on everything, head to toe." She said sometimes you'll find that the outfit you hoped to wear no longer fits or has stains or tears in it. "You want to feel so good and confident," Cooper said, rather than feeling stressed out after discovering last-minute problems with your wardrobe.

If you'd like to get a haircut before the interview, Cooper advises getting one at least a few days beforehand. If you get a cut the day of the interview, you may risk having freshly cut hairs showing up on your shirt or a blow-dried style that doesn't look right.

Cooper displayed examples of do-and-don't wardrobe choices. The "Sloppy Joe" applicant/employee sported baggy, dragging jeans and a too-casual sport shirt along with a scruffy beard. The "Just Right Joe" had a trimmed beard and wore a clean shirt, pants that fit well, and a tailored jacket. "Sloppy Agnes" wore baggy pants, a gym jacket, and tennis shoes. The "Just Right Agnes" wore a simple green blouse, tailored slacks, and dress heels. She said that often being well-groomed and wearing neat, tailored clothing "changes the posture," creating an air of confidence and a professional appearance.

Lori Cooper discusses wardrobe choices for a traditional job.Once you have started a new job, you can adapt your wardrobe and appearance to suit the workplace environment. She showed examples of appropriate clothing for a traditional job (law and banking, for example); a creative position (at an art design company or museum); a people-oriented job (teaching and social work); and a physically demanding job (personal trainer and others in physical roles).

Here are some other excellent tips, advice, and information from Cooper:

• Invest in an inexpensive lint roller to remove lint, animal hair, and threads from your clothing before the interview.
• Red is a strong, powerful color, so limit its use in your interview wardrobe (men should avoid wearing a red shirt, for example).
• Pantyhose are no longer absolutely required for women, but may be worn if you wish, and tights are also acceptable. She recommends closed-toe pumps with heels no higher than two inches or a dressy flat for the interview.
• The color of a man's belt and shoes should match, and sock and pant color should also match.
• Make sure your clothing isn't wrinkled. If you dislike ironing, purchase clothes that don't need it.
• To start, simple dress is best. "Express yourself as time goes on," Cooper suggests.
• Try consignment stores for gently worn professional clothing. Cooper says women may be able to find a $40 pair of dress slacks that would cost $90 at Nordstrom. Be aware, however, that you may not find exactly what you're looking for the day you shop at a consignment store, Cooper says. Since inventory changes constantly, she advises making return trips to those stores. One such store she recommends is Renaissance Fine Consignment in Santa Barbara. Alpha Thrift Stores (in Santa Barbara and Goleta) are also great places to find nice, bargain-priced clothing.
• It's fine for women to wear their hair down for an interview, as long as it is neatly styled, stays out of the face, and isn't played with.
• If shopping is a chore for you, Cooper says, bring someone along who has a good fashion eye and who is patient. This shopping mate should help keep you on track and make sure you get clothing that suits you well.
• Many dry-cleaners will do hemming and other tailoring at reasonable prices. Nordstrom and Macy's have their own tailoring services, which are sometimes complimentary with purchase.
• Check out UCSB Career Services' 2012-2013 Career Manual, available at Career Services (Building 599). View Pages 86 and 87 of the manual; they highlight appropriate interview attire for men and women.

Cooper welcomes and encourages students with questions to email her and view her Wardrobe Wisdom blog.

By following these words of wardrobe wisdom, you are bound to make the right fashion statement in a job interview or in the workplace.