Step Two Prepare: Wardrobe

Job hunting is a business. You need to look the part. Of course, what you wear depends on the type of work you will do. If you don't have clothes that would be appropriate for an interview, now is the time to think about it — not the night before you meet a prospective employer.

• Visit the company and observe what other people are wearing, then dress one step more formally.
  
  
• Ask the human resources department (not the hiring manager!) what would be appropriate.
  
  
• For office jobs, wear a dark suit (with a skirt if you're a woman).
  

• borrow from a friend;
  
  
• purchase something from a thrift shop;
  
  
• check local not-for-profit organizations to see if they provide business clothes for workers in need.

• a neat and clean briefcase or portfolio;
  
  
• an umbrella or coat depending on the weather.

• Clean and simply styled hair
  
  
• Clean, neat clothes without patches, tears, stains, missing buttons or wrinkles.
  
  
• Clean teeth and fresh breath
  
  
• Clean and trimmed fingernails — neither chipped nor brightly polished nor extra long nails
  
  
• Comfortably fitting clothes — not too tight nor too loose
  
  
• Conservative and small jewelry items (if any)
  
  
• Subtle (or no) perfume or cologne
  
  
• Clean and polished dress shoes
  
  
• No hats
  
  
• No clothes with words on them
  
  
• No tattoos and / or body piercings visible

• wear discreet, sparing makeup;
  
  
• wear conservative and small jewelry items (if any);
  
  
• avoid low-necked blouses or short skirts;
  
  
• wear skin-toned hosiery — not white or shiny;
  
  
• carry a clean, not-overstuffed handbag.

• be clean shaven or at least neatly trimmed;
  
  
• have trimmed hair;
  
  
• wear a conservative tie;
  
  
• wear a white or blue button-down long-sleeved shirt;
  
  
  
• wear no jewelry except a wedding or class ring.