如今，虽然许多公司已放宽了对内部员工着装的规定，但对未来新人的面试却依然遵循着保守的标准。设想一下，如果你打扮得艳光四射，隆重如震惊全场的女明星；抑或是你着装懒散随便，惬意如刚刚起床的居家男人……除非这位老板亦是新新人类，否则，结果就可想而知了。

While the college campus may be the perfect forum in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, the interview is not the place to do so.1 With very few unusual exceptions (my apologies to Apple Computer), sandals and sweatshirts are out. Oxfords2 and business suits are still in. I don't like a necktie (noose?3) any better than the next person, but it is still a fact of life in interviewing.Even though many companies have relaxed the internal company dress code, interviews still follow the conservative standard.4 Don't buck the trend5.

Unfortunately, most college grads are woefully underprepared with proper interview dress. They feel they can "get by" with what is already in their wardrobe.6 Usually not. Dress for the world outside college is quite different from the campusscene. Remember that stylish is not conservative. You should be doing the talking, not your clothes. 7

This is not to say that you need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. Go for quality over quantity.8One or two well-chosen business suits will serve you all the way to the first day on the job and beyond. Then, when you are making some money (and have a chance to see what the standard "uniform" is for the company), youcan begin to round out9 your wardrobe. For now, no one will fault you for wearing the same sharp outfit each time you interview. If you desire some variety within a limited budget, you might consider varying your shirt/blouse/tie/accessories as a simple way to change your look without breaking your wallet.

For those of you who need a quick review of the basics, follow these guidelines for successful interview dress:

Men and Women
Conservative two-piece business suit (solid dark blue or grey is best)
Conservative long-sleeved shirt/blouse (white is best, pastel10 is next best)
Clean, polished conservative shoes
Well-groomed hairstyle
Clean, trimmed fingernails
Minimal cologne11 or perfume
Empty pockets-no bulges12 or tinkling13 coins
No gum, candy or cigarettes
Light briefcase or portfolio case 14
No visible body piercing15 (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.)

Men
Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern
Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best)
Dark socks (black is best)
Get a haircut; short hair always fares best in interviews
No beards (unless you are interviewing for a job as a lumberjack16!)
Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat and trimmed
No rings other than wedding ring or college ring
No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out)

Women
Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses
No high heels
Conservative hosiery17at or near skin color (and no runs!)
No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead
If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative color
Minimal use of makeup (it should not be too noticeable)
No more than one ring on each hand
One set of earrings only

Sure, you run the risk of some-one in HR thinking you are a social imbecile18, but that's a lot better than having the Hiring Manager distracted by inapprop-riate interview dress.

One final note on interview dress: while it goes without saying that your interview clothes should be neat and clean, very few inter-viewees give the same time and attention to their shoes. Shoes? Yes, shoes. I am aware of at least one Corporate Recruiter who forms first impressions based solely (pardon the pun) on shoes.This person does not have a shoe fetish ?nbsp;he sub-jectively judges that those who pay attention to details like their shoes are also likely to be diligent in their work life. And it is not just that person's opinion. Many have said that you can judge a person by their shoes. You will find that many ex-military officers (many of whom have found their way into manage-ment positions in corporate America) are especially aware of a person's shoes. It is not enough to be clean, pressed, and ironed. Make sure your shoes are conservative, clean, and polished.

1. 虽然大学校园也许是个好场所来显示你对最新时尚的眼光，可面试却不是一个合适的场合。

2. Oxfords: 此处=Oxford shirts, 牛津布衬衫。

3. noose: 绞索，套索。

4. 虽然很多公司放宽了对内部着装的规定，但面试仍遵循着保守的标准。

5. buck a trend: 反潮流。

6. 他们觉得可以穿现有的衣服对付过去。

7. 你应该让谈话而不是你的服装（更“时髦”）。

8. 去买质量好之又好的。

9. round out: 使饱满，使丰满。此处指使衣橱装得更满。

10. pastel: 柔和的淡色彩。

11. cologne: 科隆香水，古龙香水。

12. bulge: 膨胀。

13. tinkle: 发丁当声，发丁零声。

14. portfolio case: 公事包。

15. 没有明显的身体上的穿孔。

16. lumberjack: 伐木工。

17. hosiery: (总称)袜类。

18. imbecile: 低能者，弱智者。