I’ve secured a second/final round interview for a company here in Atlanta. When I announced my news, my father’s response was “What questions are you going to ask this time?” And my mother’s response was “WHAT are you going to wear?” So I decided to address both of these questions today; what do you ask when you asked all your questions in the first interview round and how to properly clothe yourself for the event.
Before starting these interviews, I had no idea that such intense fashion strictures existed for the interview process. I have had time now to become more well-acquainted with the do’s and don’ts of interview attire, and I felt the need to share them in case there are other recent grads like me a little lacking in the knowledge of this department. I found the best advice here on a blog for the website glassdoor.com. (This website is also a great resource – you can find employee reviews and salary ranges for specific jobs at established companies.) Their most important point is to gauge whether you’re applying for a job in right-brain or left-brain industry.
They say, “If you’re interviewing for a job in finance, banking, insurance, law or medicine, or any other industry in which numbers and logic rule hand in hand with a liberal dose of conservatism, more traditional business attire may be expected…If you’re interviewing for a job in graphic design, advertising, marketing or an industry where creativity is king, you may exercise a bit more freedom when selecting your interview ensemble – though few interviewers will frown upon you for dressing to the nines.” Great advice. The saleswoman working at Banana Republic last night agreed with their poignant observations.
You can present to your interviewer like a dream, but unless you solidify their impression of you with some intelligent follow-up questions, you can probably kiss you opportunity goodbye. Everyone I’ve spoken to says always, without a doubt ask questions at the end of the interview. I’ve found this list from Forbes detailing the best questions to ask and how to approach sticky end-of-interview topics like follow-up and salary ranges. Alternatively, there are the 12 worst questions to ask, which aren’t super helpful, but are perfect for a good laugh.
Best of luck to all of you interviewing, and I hope you all look darn good doing it!
claire rozeman 
First of all, Congratulations on your interview! The worst questions section did give me quite a laugh. I’m a fan of the idea of putting a little bit of your personality into the attire. You can still be conservative, but throw in a little color just to show who you are. When you do this, you show the interviewer that you can be yourself, but that you can reign it in enough to look professional and represent their company well. I have a great conservative turquoise dress that I wear with a light blazer and pointy-toed, 2-inch (not TOO high) heels. I’m looking for an advertising job, which does provide for a little bit of creativity, and while I haven’t succeeded in finding a better job yet, I know this outfit is a winner because it’s me, and it’s professional. Above all, you sound like a smart girl, so just be you and remain fabulous! GOOD LUCK!