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For many
decades, the Men's Dress Furnishings Association was a resource
for men's dress shirts and ties for manufacturers, retailers and
consumers. Today, the MDFA lives on in spirit through
ShirtsAndTies.org
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 Dressing
for the Job Interview
Make That
First Impression Count
With the pendulum swinging away from business casual and toward a
dressier standard in many firms, human resource experts are
recommending that candidates dress-up for interviews.
The big question, of course, is what is dress up. ShirtsAndTies.org
recommends that not only can't you go wrong by wearing a tie, but a
tie can do a lot of positive things for your appearance and may
actually help you land the job.
John Molloy, consultant and author of the “Dress for Success” books,
agrees. “The right tie worn to a business meeting, particularly an
interview where both parties are meeting for the first time,
announces the wearer’s power and professionalism,” he says. “Even in
this casual age the tie remains the heraldic shield of modern man.”
Not only does a tie make a man look taller and slimmer but the right
tie can make a strong statement about his personality.
The tie is the most self-expressive item that men have in their
wardrobe and sitting across the desk an interview it is the most
noticeable.
In a job interview you are trying to sell yourself and in any
selling situation, presentation is important.
In packaging yourself for the interview, it is best to err on the
side of conservatism until you get a feel for the kind of
environment you are entering. A suit, dress shirt, and tie is
the wisest course in these competitive times.
By the way, even if you are going into a casual office environment,
it is still safest to dress up. Once you are a part of the team, or
specifically told to dress casual for follow-up interviews, it is
best not to make assumptions about how your casual attire will be
interpreted. Some interviewers might think it presumptuous to dress
like proven members of the team. Also, it removes the whole
question of which of the many forms of casual you should adopt: suit
and no tie, slacks and sport shirt, tee shirt and jeans, etc.
Here are some tips from ShirtsAndTies.org for establishing your
“brand” in a job interview:
1. Tie Patterns And Tie Basics
Stick with a conservative pattern tie, but don't be afraid of color.
Strong colors stamp you as someone who is not afraid to stand out in
a crowd. Note that Presidential candidates usually wear strongly
colored ties during the debates. Don’t be a fashion plate.
Save the skinny tie and the tight fitting suit with narrow lapels
for your interviews in the fashion industry. Tie your tie
correctly. The tip of the wide end should touch your belt buckle.
The narrow and wide ends do not have to be even, but the narrow end
should NEVER be longer. Use a four-in-hand knot. It's easier
to tie and uses less fabric than a Windsor or half-Windsor (a
concern if you are tall). If you don't know how to tie a tie, refer
to the instructions here (link back to instructions)
Make sure your tie is up-to-date. An obviously old tie sends the
wrong message. Similarly, avoid wrinkled or stained ties. If
you need more help on choosing the right dress necktie, see our page
on
how to buy men's ties.
2. Dress Shirts
Wear a freshly laundered, crisp looking dress shirt. If you
haven't worn a dress shirt recently and need to shop for one, keep
this tip in mind: buy a shirt with a collar at least a half size
larger than your neck measurement. When the top button is buttoned,
you should be able to fit two fingers between your collar and neck.
This way you'll be as comfortable as in your favorite old t-shirt
when the interviewer is grilling you. If you need more
help on choosing the right dress shirt, see our page on
how to buy a dress shirt.
If you need additional help in matching your necktie to your dress
shirt, try practicing with our
How to Match a Tie to a Shirt Game
3. Suits
Go with a dark (navy or charcoal) suit and white or blue dress
shirt. Let your tie be your personal statement.
4. Shoes
Make sure your shoes are polished.
5. Grooming
Be sure your nails are clean and neatly trimmed, but not manicured
and polished. Get a hair cut a week before your interview.
Shave. The stubble look is not universally admired.
Now... Go get-em tiger!!!
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