Dress for Success
Look clean, look polished, and make it easy for employers to focus on you.
What & Why
- Grooming is part of your first impression, just like your résumé and handshake.
- You do not need an expensive outfit. You need a clean, neat, well-fitted one.
- When in doubt, dress one step more professional than the event.
Action Plan
1. Pick the right dress code
Business professional is best for interviews and formal recruiting. Business casual works for many networking events and office visits.
2. Choose neutral colors first
Black, navy, grey, white, cream, and light blue are your safest options.
3. Iron or steam your clothes
Wrinkles make even a good outfit look rushed.
4. Wear polished shoes and keep accessories simple
Go for clean, polished shoes and low-key accessories that do not distract from you.
5. Do one final mirror check
Check fit, grooming, and anything that could pull focus before you leave.
Grooming Basics
- Hair should look neat and intentional.
- Nails should be clean and trimmed.
- Breath should be fresh, bring mints and skip gum.
- Fragrance should be very light or skipped completely.
- Makeup and accessories should stay simple and not pull focus.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do
- ✓Wear clothes that fit well.
- ✓Stick with simple, neutral colors.
- ✓Iron your outfit.
- ✓Wear polished shoes.
- ✓Carry a professional bag or padfolio.
- ✓Keep jewelry simple.
- ✓Bring mints.
- ✓Silence your phone.
Don’t
- ✗Do not wear strong cologne or perfume.
- ✗Do not wear hats.
- ✗Do not wear T-shirts, tank tops, or exposed-back tops.
- ✗Do not wear athletic gear, sweatpants, or hoodies.
- ✗Do not wear ripped, cut-off, too-baggy, or too-tight jeans.
- ✗Do not wear flip-flops, casual sandals, or sneakers.
- ✗Do not wear large or distracting accessories.
- ✗Do not carry a backpack or large purse to professional events when you can avoid it.
Next Step
Build one go-to outfit now so you are not figuring it out the night before. Share your go-to outfit with a Career Advisor for feedback.
