Sean McAleer and Jenna Bishop model the formal-but-not-too-formal attire expected at professional interviews.
GCM Photo by: Julie DemersWith your resume complete and your references waiting by the phone to praise you, it seems as though you are ready for the big job interview. But if you walk in dressed inappropriately, the best resume in the world won’t get you the job. Carisa Seltz tells us how to dress to impress.

When interviewing for that all-important job, you have to keep two things in mind: you cannot undo a first impression, and 90 percent of what you communicate is nonverbal.

Confidence is the ultimate asset, and it is communicated through posture, presence and style. How you dress is instrumental in impressing a potential employer. The right clothing can make you appear self-assured and confident. By strategically dressing yourself, you can exude an air of confidence otherwise unattainable.

Dressing in a way that makes you look good can make you feel more confident, and feeling confident means you’ll be more confident.

In other words, dress in a way that shows how you want to be perceived. When trying to find the perfect candidate for their company, employers are looking for the “total package,” according to Julia Sherlock, Director of Career Services at CMU.

To achieve that look, you have to do two things: be what the employer needs, and know a thing or two about fashion. You can be the best man or woman for the job, but your resume won’t be much help when you can’t personally deliver in terms of style.

Fashion is a tool that can be hard for people to manipulate to their advantage. Dressing strategically can not only cater to your own unique style, but also make the prospective employer believe that you are the one for the job. While women certainly have a set of office-appropriate commandments to abide by, men also need to be aware of what they look like and how others perceive them.

The first step is simple: dress the part. Tim Allen is apparently a firm believer in this: when auditioning for the lead role in The Santa Clause, it was reported that Allen showed up in a Santa costume.

Jenna Bishop has a shirt with accented accessory to it and a high waisted skirt to make for a professional sophisticated look.
GCM Photo by: Julie Demers

This example, although a little extreme, is exactly what you should aim for. If you look the part, it is easier for employers to place you in the position they are looking to fill. The idea is to look believable.

Another tip is to outdo your competition stylistically. This might sound silly at first; after all, shouldn’t you ultimately be hired based on merit, not on how good you look?

But you do want to stand out from other hopefuls applying for the same job. Having a well put-together outfit will make a lasting impression on a potential employer. You want them to remember you not only because of your credentials, but also because they have a memorable face to match with your resume.

At the same time, you don’t want to look overdressed. An outfit that is too flashy or obnoxious will distract the potential employer, and could even make them uncomfortable. You should also consider the potential risk of revealing any of your unconventional piercings or tattoos.

Although he does not think that it is important to remove all unconventional piercings and/or tattoos when interviewing for a job, Michael Szydlowski, a graduate assistant with the office of Residence Life at CMU, says, “one must be aware what [tattoos and piercings] could potentially communicate to an employer.”

Szydlowski, who is involved in the hiring process at the front desk in the Towers dormitories, feels that if a person is comfortable with the potential of being judged based on their piercing or tattoo, then they should go for it.

While Szydlowski’s answers do not reflect the university’s standards for hiring, they are sound advice and good general guidelines to abide by.

Every potential employer is different, and looks for different things. But if you keep these rules in mind, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is what to do with your new income after nailing down the job of your dreams.