Dress for Success

Dress for Success!

What do you wear to a career fair or a job interview?

Alfred State's Career Development Center offers the Professional Pioneers Place to assist students with clothes for job interviews.

Office Professional

Suit

Conservative, two-piece suit in solid colors such as black, grey navy. If choosing to wear a skirt, the length should fall above the knee. Shirt: Wear a long sleeve or short sleeve dress shirt under and pair with a tie OR wear a blouse.

Rendering of professional suits

Shoes

Wear polished dress shoes, dark socks, and a belt to match your shoes.

Rendering of dress shoes and a belt.

What Not to Wear

Athletic wear, sweatpants, t-shirts, jeans, sandals/flip flops, see through clothing, low cut clothing, shorts, short skirts.

Rendering of flip flops with a line through them.

Business Casual (Check with employer and/or interviewer if appropriate)

Athletic wear, sweatpants, t-shirts, jeans, sandals/flip flops, see through clothing, low cut clothing, shorts, short skirts.

Other Tips

  • Wear a minimum amount of jewelry and/or makeup, keep nails trimmed and clean.
  • Stay away from strong smelling soaps, perfumes, colognes, body sprays etc.
  • Hair should be brushed and pulled away from face if possible.
  • If you have body piercings or tattoos check with the company policy on if they are appropriate.
  • If you can't find any information, it might be better to not wear or cover until you can find information about their policy.
Grooming
HairWell groomed hairstyle
Nails and makeup
Nails & MakeupNatural in style
Jewelry and fragrance
Jewelry & FragranceWear moderate jewelry with mild fragrance
Piercings and tattoos
Piercings & TattoosAlign to company culture or standards

Skilled Trades

Professional Dress

Wear your cleanest and newest uniform shirt or a button down. Tucked in solid-colored button-down shirts pair well with black, brown, or olive pants. Your darkest rip free, stain free denim will also work.

Shoes

Closed toe, full coverage, clean shoes are best. The effort to clean and polish your boots/crew shoes shows attention to detail. Valued in the skilled trades emphasis on precision work and measurement.

What Not to Wear

Sweatshirts with the hood up, stains, personal opinions, t-shirts, sandals/flip flops, see-through clothing, low cut clothing, shorts and short skirts.

Other Tips

  • Hands cleaned and nails trimmed.
  • Review the organization's policy regarding tattoos and piercings. If you cannot locate, consider covering until you know more.
  • Avoid strong smelling soaps, perfumes, colognes, body sprays, etc.
  • Hair should be brushed and pulled away from face if possible.
  • Minimal jewelry and makeup.
Grooming
HairWell groomed hairstyle
Nails and makeup
Nails & MakeupNatural in style
Jewelry and fragrance
Jewelry & FragranceWear moderate jewelry with mild fragrance
Piercings and tattoos
Piercings & TattoosAlign to company culture or standards