What you wear to a job interview is just as important as what you say during the interview. Arriving to the interview inappropriately dressed may cost you the job even if you have a competitive resume. Below are 10 helpful tips for helping you make a lasting and positive first impression.

1. Know your potential employer. Different work settings have different dress styles.
2. Stick to neutral colors. You can’t go wrong with navy blue, gray, tan, beige or even burgundy. Avoid screaming colors like orange, yellow and red.
3. Use conservative hairstyles and nail lengths.
4. Ladies consider wearing stockings/pantyhose if you are wearing a dress or skirt-suit. Gentlemen please wear socks with your dress shoes.
5. Pay to have your interview outfit professionally dry-cleaned. The money spent will pay for itself several times over once you land the job.
6. Look at your interview outfit closely for any loose threads, tears, missing buttons or broken zippers. Have them repaired professionally if necessary.
7. Try on your interview outfit well in advance to see if it still fits. An improperly fitting outfit wont speak well of your concern about looking your best.
8. Walk around inside the house wearing your interview suit for at least thirty minutes. This will help to minimize awkwardness so that you can feel comfortable in your outfit during the interview.
9. Wear the right shoes. Men should stick to dark color traditional style dress shoes. Women have a wider array including pumps, flats and dress loafers.
10. Watch the jewelry, less is more.

Felecia D. Sheffield, PhD, is an author, trainer, international speaker and life coach. Dr. Sheffield has over 15 years of experience providing services to parents, schools, colleges, universities, and social services agencies. For additional parenting articles, ADHD, LD and college resources visit http://www.psychcore.com