How Choose Business Professional Attire Dress Right Success Pictures Job Interview! What A Man's Guide is for All Men!

Gentlemen, let's start with some preliminaries as you prepare for your job interview. My article is about how to choose professional attire for your job interview, but did you know, your attire includes your personal demeanor as well? You do not want to be perfectly dressed for your interview, but because you did not get enough rest and sleep the night before, you are very irritable during your job interview. The least little thing will set you off. You will be amazed at the number of people who lose their composure during a job interview!

For example, lets suppose that on your way to your job interview, someone had the nerve to cut you off in traffic. Usually you would brush it off by thinking that maybe the other person is in a hurry, so, no problem, you will just let it slide and not let it bother you.

But then again, if you are not rested from a good night's sleep, and this same incident occurred, not only are you livid that he or she cut you off, but you are going to show him a thing or two! So you speed up and get back in front of him or her, intentionally passing close in front of his or her car. And what do you do next? You dangerously slow down intentionally, so now you are an active participant in a form of road rage. Not a good thing -- at any time, even if you were not on your way to your job interview.

You bus riders are not immune from starting off your day by getting up on the wrong side of the bed! Let's say you got up early enough to catch the bus. It's a nice sunny day and your bus arrives on time! Everything seems to be going smoothly as you take your seat on the bus.

But then what happens next is totally unexpected! The bus stops abruptly after going a few miles. The bus driver tries to restart the bus to no avail. He then informs the passengers (you included) that the bus is having mechanical problems, and that he has already contacted the dispatcher to send another bus! Not a good thing for you! Here you are, all prepared for your job interview, and you cannot possibly get to your job interview on time!

You cannot help but become unnerved and frazzeled. Here you are trying to do the right thing by easing up traffic congestion by riding the bus, and probably saving money as well. And what happens? The bus breaks down! Your options? Well, you can wait for the other bus and be late for your job interview, or call a taxi, and be late for your job interview. Either way you are are going to be late! What would you do? Please complete my poll and answer this question below. I would like to know how you would react in this situation.

It goes without saying, that a very easy way to quickly eliminate yourself from being selected or even considered for a job is to be late for your job interview! It does not matter if you think you have a good reason for being late -- if you are late for your job interview, start thinking seriously about applying for another job.

Don't instantly give up however. Who knows? You could possibly have an understanding interviewer, or even better, the interviewer is late for the interview himself or herself! But even this may not work, because somehow, the word will get to the interviewer that you were late for your job interview.

I recommend you take the risk and continue to your job interview, but be especially apologetic and nice to everyone you see at the establishment before, during and after your interview. You may be able to overcome the stigma of your lateness. It's worth a try!

A word to the wise -- get a good night's sleep before the day of your job interview. You do not want to bring your road rage or frazzled nerves, or anything negative with you to your job interview!

Who is interviewing?

It's been reported that women have made lots of gains in the workplace, but the reality is that your interviewer, may be the same gender as you. However, in the event that your interviewer is a woman, you need to be just as relaxed and professional with her, just as if your interviewer was a man.

If your interviewer is male, do not come off as the interviewer's long lost friend, for example, no high fiving, no slouching back in the interview chair, and no air of familiarity with the interviewer, even if the interviewer seems to have a relaxed, friendly attitude.

Remember, you are being interviewed, and not the other way around. You want to be perceived (hopefully at a first glance) as the most qualified man for the job -- no questions asked! So focus on talking intelligently about your credentials that will let the interviewer know how you will contribute to the company.

Job Interview Firm handshake

That being said, you want to come across as being approachable and friendly, as well. So by all means smile when you shake the interviewer's hand. Make sure you give your interviewer a firm handshake, and you stand tall in front of him or her.

Caution: If your interviewer is a woman, please do not simply hold her hand like you are proposing to her! Give her a professional firm handshake as well!

You want the interviewer to know you as that "friendly guy", and not as the guy who tried too hard to impress. It may not be evident to you, but believe me, interviewers know when you are trying too hard to impress them! Instead of being viewed as impressive and ready to be hired, you may come off as being arrogant, or even flaky whose resume will end up in file 13 -- the waste basket!

What not to wear to a Job Interview

Muscle Shirts are inappropriate for Job Interviews

Muscle shirts are definite no-nos. Even if you have muscles to die for, you should never wear shirts with your arms bared. It is commendable that you work out and want to show off your muscles, but showing off your muscles at a job interview does not mesh.

Even if you are applying for a job that does not require a suit and tie, you do not want to wear a sleeveless shirt to a job interview! I was thinking an exception may be if you are applying to be a bouncer at an establishment -- but even then, I would not recommend that you wear a muscle shirt if you want to land the job.

Do not wear Worn out shoes to a Job Interview

Shoes with run down soles, scuffed and dulled shoe finish are to be left home and not worn to a job interview. They may be your favorite pair of shoes, but please do not wear them to your job interview!

I've seen male coworkers, and even bosses who walk around with worn out shoes. Even if they are relatively intelligent, I question their professional sense when I notice their worn out shoes. Not only are these shoes unsightly, but worn out shoes give you an overall ragged, unappealing appearance. Of course, the difference between them and you is that they already have their jobs, and you are yet to be hired!!

And get this. Even if you are wearing your best suit -- pairing them with worn out shoes will spoil your whole GQ, debonair look! You may as well be wearing a wrinkled, tatted suit and a dirty shirt -- if you are wearing worn out shoes, even with your best suit! Believe me, interviewers do notice your shoes!

Ill fitting jackets are not to be worn at a Job Interview

You may have seen movies where some restaurants require a suit and tie in order for you to partake of their delicious, expensive menu offerings. Sometimes they may supply you with a suit jacket. However, the caveat here is often times that jacket may not fit! -- which is sometimes the comedic or funny part of the movie.

Think of this movie analogy when you put on your jacket. Does it fit properly? You are not in a comedy movie and do not want to be laughed at.

Do not wear a jacket that is obviously too small or too large for you to your job interview. If you are applying for a business position, and even if you are not -- you want to wear a jacket that fits your frame as perfectly as possible.

You may not enjoy shopping for interview clothing, but this is one occasion I strongly suggest that you shop and buy wisely. You may disdain the shopping experience and prefer to have your femaie significant other, friend or someone else to shop for you. I do not see a problem with this as long as you make sure you try on your interview clothing -- before the interview. You want to feel comfortable during your interview, and you will not if you are wearing jackets, shirts or pants that do not fit you properly.

Wear proper-fitting pants to your Job Interview

Another definite no-no is to wear high-water pants. What are high-water pants you may ask? These are pants that are too short in length!

To give you a picture of what I'm referring to think Urkle -- the guy in the TV sitcom with the too short pants and lsuspenders. I was going to say Michael Jackson, but as an entertainer, this look worked for him well -- but trust me, it will not work for you!

Be sure the hem of your pants touch the top portion of your shoes. You do not want to wear your pants too long either. Your pants are too long if the back of your pants touches the lower part of your heel.

Is Long Hair Appropriate for a Job Interview?

Personally, I think guys are sexy with long hair. The handsome leading man who comes to my mind is of course Brad Pitt when he was in that Vampire and the legends of the fall movies.

However, for your job interview, you want to be conservative and go with the shorter hair instead. Get a nice hair cut and look professionally suave at your job interview!

Do not want to cut your hair? Then pull it back in a ponytail to show the interviewer you are at least trying to be conservative! Additionally you may get some points because he or she may think that you took the extra time and effort to pull your hair back in a pony tail. Of course, if you do not have long hair, my tips on long hair would not apply to you.

Facial hair or clean shaven at a Job Interview ?

If you have taken valuable time to grow a mustache, beard or goatee, I see no problem with you not shaving them off. But regarding the beard, I recommend you trim it or have it trimmed neatly. This goes for your mustache and goatee as well.

The clean shaven look may have an advantage because your face may look more neat and clean-cut which may equate to neat and cleanly completed projects! But on the other hand, facial hair can be very distinguishing as well, as long as it is kept neatly trimmed.

Gaudy ties should be banned at Job Interviews

I believe we have all seen these type ties. The ties with snowmen, christmas trees, golf balls, etc. Take it from me -- the job interviewer do not want to sit across from you and have to look at your gaudy tie, even if your interviewer is another male! Oh.. you thought your tie would make a good conversation starter -- give you and the interviewer something light to talk about to squelch any uncomfortable silences? The last time I checked, a job interview is not a popularity contest. You are there to show the interviewer you are the best man for the job -- not that you can keep a conversation going.

To remind you -- A job interview is basically a question and answer session, so forget about wearing any conversation starters. After you get the job, feel free to do as you like, and even then be cognizant of what you wear. Right now! you want to get your foot in the door!

What to wear at your Job Interview

Wear the opposite of what I described as what not to wear above. You want to wear what makes you look professional, clean-cut, and ready to get the job done!

Additionally, please take a look at my dress for success pictures to the right.

Dress for Success at Job Interviews and land your Dream Job!

Remember, as the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression -- so make it a good one!

Dress for success and that job of a lifetime can be yours!