by Eleanor Shelton and
 Mary Miller

Brandon Penley

Here's the bottom line: Students attend college to get a good job. While at school they focus on studying and keeping up with the rest of their lives. It often doesn't occur to them to think about how they look until it's time for their first job interview.

Oh my God, what am I going to wear?”
When it comes time for the job interview, jeans and a sweatshirt – the usual student attire – won't do. Looking good matters, but there are also psychological reasons for being appropriately dressed.

“In the first five seconds (of meeting someone), you make a judgment based exclusively on their physical appearance,” says Kathy Crump, a member of the CVCC business faculty. If they have worn, scuffed shoes, or forgot to wear a belt, it potentially says to an interviewer that you might overlook important details on the job.

Yes, business dress is much less formal than it was 20 years ago, Crump says. However, businesses still seek first individuals who portray the image of the company. Body piercings and tattoos scream “me, me, me,” while a professional, put-together look communicates “I can be trusted with your company's business.”

“Your choice of clothing sends a powerful non-verbal message regarding the level of confidence that you have in your abilities to succeed,” says Crump. “Make sure the message you send through your choice of clothing sends the correct one. It is impossible to send a neutral message.”

Two CVCC students go from classroom casual to professional polish

Brandon , 19, is one of those rare college students who wouldn't be caught dead wearing flip flops, a cut up t-shirt and jeans full of holes. He's comfortable with a more put-together look. He says he's influenced by his father, a businessman who always dresses up for work, and even when he's not at work, according to Brandon.

“I see successful businessmen wearing suits and they project power,” says Brandon, who is enrolled in college-transfer classes and hopes to ultimately become a building contractor. “When I'm out shopping at the mall, I notice that if I'm dressed well, salespeople are more attentive to me than someone else who's dressed kind of sloppy.”

Crump says the color blue signifies trust, which is why she chose a plaid navy blazer and pale blue shirt for Brandon . Ordinarily, men should choose a bold tie for job interviews, she says. Since Brandon is more comfortable dressing up, she chose a tie with more pastel colors.

“People have to fit the clothes, not vice versa,” Crump says. “Whatever you choose, you have to have a certain comfort level.”

If you're still not sure how to put together that all important job interview wardrobe, Crump suggests consulting “Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down For Success,” by Sherry Maysonave and Susan Strobel, c.1999, Bright Books.

Ten Tips for
Looking Your Best

Here's what collegegrad.com recommends. As you can see, their advice is to stick with clean and conservative.

With four children and a husband, everyone in Charlina's life took priority. A student in the Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology program, her daily routine starts at 5 a.m. After getting everyone in her household ready for school or work, she's heads to CVCC for class at 7 a.m.

“I'm used to being in the background,” she says “I was always someone's sister or wife or mother. My husband's a fitness trainer, and I want him to look good. Kids have to look just right, too.”

Naturally, she had gravitated toward that low-maintenance college student look. So, a makeover was just what Charlina needed as she approached graduation. The transformation began with stylist Chaz Danner at Details Hair Salon in Hickory .

Chaz gave her a short, but definitely professional looking cut that also gave her petite stature a boost.

Copper highlights created a conservative camouflage of the few strands of gray starting to show. Chaz emphasized her beautiful eyes and knockout smile with business like neutral tones of browns and copper. For a little fun—and not necessarily for a job interview—he added false eyelashes.

At age 37, she discovered she was a petite size, thanks to business instructor Crump. She helped Charlina select a suit that communicates credibility, authority and trustworthiness. Crump also chose tasteful—but not distracting—silver jewelry to accent a black and white tweed jacket and black pants with matching shoes.

Sure, she's beautiful, but how did the physical transformation make her feel?

“I feel like I could go for an interview now and get the job,” says Charlina. “I look like someone determined to get the job.”

1. Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark blue or gray is best)


2. Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel is next best)


3. Clean, polished conservative shoes


4. Well-groomed hair style


5. Clean, trimmed fingernails


6. Minimal cologne or perfume


7. Empty pockets – no bulges or tinkling coins


8. No gum, candy or cigarettes


9. Light briefcase or portfolio case


10. No visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)

Photo Credit Stepanie Foy