What to Wear: Job Interview

First off, let me say that I am looking for 3-4 guest bloggers while I am on vacation September 9-16. If you're interested, please let me know via email or comment. This is absolutely free, great exposure for your blog, and to say thank you, I'll post your button on my sidebar for 30 days.

Now, on the real post...

Deciding what to wear to a job interview can be a challenging task. "Do I wear something conservative to make them think I'm responsible?" "Should I wear this piece to show my personality?" The stakes are pretty high if you choose the wrong thing.

Before make any hasty decisions, think about the company with which you are interviewing and the position for which you are interviewing. Dress according to the company's environment and the position you're hoping to get. Interviewing at a conservative law firm for an attorney position? Then you should probably wear a black or navy suit and leave your arm party and leopard heels at home.

While each situation is unique, here are my tips on dressing appropriately for a job interview. Hopefully, my suggestions will help guide you.

Wear a blazer and structured pants. This makes you look professional, and will make you feel professional. A confidence boost is always a plus in a job interview. If you're interviewing for a more creative position at a laid back company, your blazer can be a different color than your pants, but if you're unsure, stick with an actual suit with pants that have some structure. Sloppiness is not OK.

Choose a soft blouse. Blazers can make you look the part, but you still want to be comfortable. The worst feeling in the world is wearing a long sleeved button shirt stuffed down the sleeves of a blazer. It is hot and miserable, and everyone will be able to see how uncomfortable you are. A sleeveless blouse is 1000x times better.

Wear simple jewelry. Jewelry is a great way to express yourself, but not at your job interview. If you wear gigantic colorful earrings or a statement necklace, that is all your interviewers will notice. You want the focus to be on your qualifications, not your latest purchase from Charming Charlie. Keeping it simple is your best option.

Carry a stylish bag. A bag/briefcase is a great way to show your personality and style when going on an interview. While I don't suggest a neon pink oversized tote, a bag with a little pizzazz is really OK. Why a bag and not jewelry? Well, your bag will likely sit on the floor and not be in your interviewer's eye line. That's not the case with jewelry, it will almost always be seen.

Choose subtle shoes. To pull your look together, choose a pair of shoes that are subtle and classic. Sending the right message to your potential employer is so important, and your shoes say a lot about you. You want to give "I'm professional and reliable and would never come into work hung over." vibes. You do not want to give "I'm professional and reliable(ish), but I might call in sick on Fridays." vibes.

With these tips, you'll rock that interview!