Most Aztecs probably want a job after college. Assuming they do, knowing how to dress professionally is not only helpful, but essential.
San Diego State advisers insist that any student going to a job interview should dress conservatively and look like a professional, not a college student.
Journalism and media studies Internship Coordinator Nicole Vargas teaches a class on how students can get professional jobs, gets them interviews, and often talks with employers about how the students performed. She said a student could look really good on paper, but they have to match it in appearance or they could lose a job opportunity.
“Don’t let it be you, let it be experience, let it be something else,” Vargas said. “You just don’t want to miss out because of something so easy to correct.”
Career Services’ interim Associate Director for Employment Relations Bobbie Gray said that it is important to adhere to an employer’s expectations.
“You have to show you can fit in the company,” Gray said. “They’re the ones who set all the rules.
Students looking for jobs should do some research on the company before interviewing, but there are some general guidelines to follow.
One is to buy a two-piece, business-style suit.
“You’ve got to consider going out and spending money to get yourself your interview suit,” Gray said.
Vargas said that students don’t have to spend too much on the actual suit, but they should consider spending money to get it tailored. She added that women can wear pants or a skirt, but the skirt should cover all of the thighs when sitting down.
It is important to wear dark colors for an interview. Navy blue is especially fitting in San Diego due to the nice weather, but black and dark grey are also acceptable. Shorts and sandals are never acceptable, no matter how casually the staff of the company usually dresses.
“Once you have the job, you can dress however the people there do,” Vargas said. “If they wear shorts, you can wear shorts. However, in the interview, you have to dress nicely.”
Women should make sure their tops do not have low necklines, while men should be careful to appear well groomed.
“No big beards,” Vargas said. “And don’t smell like you’ve come out of the ocean. Cover for sweat and maybe wear an undershirt.”
It is also important to be careful to avoid too much fragrance. Many employers may dislike the cologne or perfume.
As for hair, Gray said that everyone should have clean-cut hair. Men should wear it short and women might want to wear it in such a way that they don’t play with it. She shared that interviewees should also have no visible tattoos, nose rings or any similar jewelry. Men should not wear earrings. Small rings, such as a simple band, are acceptable on the hands.
“I’ve seen some people with rings with skeletons,” Gray said. “No.”
She added that girls should be careful about their earrings.
“I don’t want you to wear the big clunky ones, because sometimes they make noise,” she said.
Vargas said that the most common mistakes students make are trying to be too trendy or dressing too casually.
“I got some funny feedback once where the student showed up with tall boots on,” Vargas said. “They were actually very proud of the boots, but the interviewers obviously commented on them.”
“You want the job you are applying for, so you might want to put in the effort to get that job,” Gray said. “That means you have to play the part.”
