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Alexandra Levit
College graduates who got used to wearing flip-flops and pajama pants to school are going to have to spruce up their look a bit if they’re going to head out on the job-search trail.
Not only are flops out during a job interview, but don’t even think about donning scoffed up dress shoes, urged Alexandra Levit, a Gen Y career expert and author of "They Don't Teach Corporate in College" and "How'd You Score That Gig?"
Levit was on hand to answer questions from readers Wednesday during a live chat on job-hunting for recent grads.
One reader named Shawn asked her:
How should you dress for an interview?
Her reply:
You should wear a well-tailored suit in black or navy blue, non-scuffed up dress shoes, and a clean, not-too-busy tie. Make sure you are clean-shaven and carry a nice, leather portfolio or briefcase. Even if the employees aren't this dressed up, I guarantee that no one will fault you in an interview situation.
She also offered advice for the female grads out there:
For all of the women out there, same advice regarding the suit, although you can choose a pantsuit or a skirt suit. If you go with the skirt suit, I still think you should wear pantyhose (though some experts might disagree). Heels are nice, but don't go too high, as you don't want to trip or look wobbly. Go easy on the makeup and perfume, and wear tasteful jewelry in silver or gold.
And on the perpetual question of whether to pantyhose or not; or what color to wear when you opt to put on nylons, she said, “I think either black or nude are fine.”
On the pantyhose debate, she sided with hose-wearing advocates “because you don't know how conservative the company is. It's best to err on the side of caution. You want to look professional and put-together without drawing too much attention to the way you are dressed. The more seamlessly you fit it, the better.”
Other topics Levit tackled included everything from how much you should expect to make at your first gig and whether taking time off from the career job search to take a summer job, maybe at the beach, is a good idea.
Here’s the entire Q&A with Levit:
Join us next week for another live web chat on Today.
Leave a Comment:
This topic of dress/slang dialect/mannerisms could be applied to many other groups, as well. Can't spell out how many young, graduate age individuals I notice when out in a large city who will NEVER be able to get a job where public interaction is required due to either their choice of "common attire", their dialect, and/or their mannerisms in general. And then they wonder why they can not get ahead in life. These sorts of issues making them unemployable are all on themselves, NOT society or their upbringing or their education experience (or lack thereof).
The only one I disagree with you on is dialect. It may be a function of my industry, but I have gained something of an ear for understanding people through different dialects and a wide variety of accents. Through my career and time in school, I think I have worked with people from every corner of the globe. I don't think a different accent or dialect is that big of an issue.
and dont forget that degree they paid 60,000 for, or the 60,000 loan i should say, that degree in poetry, philosophy, or fine arts will get you far kid.
Schools do a disservice to students by allowing them to wear anything they want to school; when they get out in the work world they haven't a clue why it is inappropriate.
This just proves that schools today have become no more than a daycare, thus the pajama pants and flip flops. These school kids must be comfy for playtime and arts and crafts and be ready to take their 2pm naps. Its sad that the world needs to teach them how to dress appropriately for a job interview. What do the parents do?
No different now than in the early 70's when I was getting out of college. We wore almost anything we wanted to class, but were smart enough to know that if we wanted a job we had to present ourselves as professional. ANd I learned that from my parents long before I went job hunting, it is not the schools responsibility to teach common sense but it is the parents job.
hey my name is simply put, but my friends just call me simple. We share the same first name, yay.
Give the grads some credit. I think they know that the professional world is not a jammie and flip flop place - depending on their chosen profession. But they're still young and need this kind of guidance to understand the unspoken rules.
I think the biggest shock they're in for isn't the dress code, but the realization that most business environments aren't meritocracies.
and the degree they are paying on for the next twenty years is a joke.
I think their biggest shock will be that their degree in art history and all the other degrees out there that are being offered are worthless. I heard a girl on the radio complaining about being jobless and not being able to find a job after graduation. The radio host asked her what she majored in, she replied "haiku". The only thing this girl might be able to do is write a poetry book.
Many colleges have at least a bit of preperation for interviews. It's just common sense though. I didn't touch dress clothes in the least my entire tenure of school. But I showed up to my first interview in a 3 piece suit and a half windsor. (and a 2 ft pony tail... It was in Boulder CO, it turned out fine.)
The key really is that it is very hard to OVER dress for an interview. Even if the company itself is very casual it means somthing that you took the time to dress up for them.
AS someone who is an interviewer - I am less concerned with the scuffed shoes or pantyhose question, to me nose, and lip piercings and lots of tatoos are big no-no's, and given equal candidates with or without the body art I would hire the no body art anytime, and in fact would higher a less qualified candidate if they had no tats or piercings.
Oh and NBC waht are scoffed shoes?
Ones that are derisive?
The only part I really disagree with is:
Sorry, but I have had a mustache for over 13 years now, except for one week where I tried shaving it. It turns out that my face looks awful without it and I am unlikely to repeat that experiment ever again. My mustache is unlikely to ever go. The rest I can agree with though. I shave my beard, but I don't think there is any problem with a well groomed beard either unless it is a true sanitation issue on the job.
I think this should be trimmed facial hair rather than clean-shaven. More a point about not having three day scruff...
Ladies - about the pantyhose thing: a man in a suit and dress shoes but no socks would look ridiculous at an interview. Most women just don't look so hot with bare legs - they think they do, but they don't. Especially if you are not fit and tan. Bear a little inconvenience for the sake of a one time first impression - wear the stockings.
The sad statement here is that while I completely agree with the comments of the article, my company HR department is mandating courses for all hiring managers that teach that appearance should not matter in interviews.
Respectfully, I disagree. If one cannot be bothered to take care of one's appearance, how can I trust you are detail oriented or conscietious about your work? You want to wear flip-flops?....go to the beach! We do actual work here.
Another good report would be that real jobs and bogus degrees don't mix.
Simply,
I'd love to know what your degree is in....
TXMX-5EE, So you are saying that your mustache is more important than getting a job? I'm guessing that you wore flip-flops to class!!
Leave the nose rings, lip rings, eyebrow rings and for guys ear rings at home. Cover up the tats with concealer. For hair pick a color just one. Preferably in an earth tone.
Learn to say yes sir, no sir, and thank you.