Career Fair and Interview Dress: Which of these 8 tips do you already know?

After working at the Connection Job Fair and Interview Day on campus earlier this week, our staff came up with a list of some tips for students as you dress for business casual or business professional settings like a career fair or an interview.  Taking these steps demonstrates that wearing business casual or professional attire is not an unfamiliar concept to you, even if it is. And, your appearance leaves an impression...make sure it's a good one.

New suit, skirt or jacket? Make sure you remove the thread X that is sewn to hold a slit together in the back of a jacket or skirt. That X is not supposed to remain there when you wear the item.

Wearing a button down shirt? Button the collar buttons on each side.

If your pants have belt loops, wear one! You’re not fully dressed for business without one. 

Baseball caps are great to cover up a bad hair day or to wear outside. They don’t belong at career fairs or interviews.

Good quality coats, blazers or suits may come with a tag sewn to the outside of a sleeve. Remove this tag before wearing.

Save tight skirts, very short dresses and other revealing attire for some other time – not a career fair or interview. What you wear going downtown or to a party may seem dressed up, but it's often not the same as business casual or professional dress. Wonder if an outfit works? Come ask us in Career Services.

If you attend an event like a career fair where you wear a nametag, make sure you place your nametag somewhere you want a person to try to read it. It’s a good idea to position nametags on your right shoulder or right jacket lapel so the person you meet can easily read your nametag after shaking your hand.

Consider how long you will be on your feet at a career fair or walking to an interview. Save your fun extra high heels for a different time. Although both combat and cowboy boots are in style, they are a bit too casual for business casual attire.

Follow these tips, follow up and follow through, and your search for a position will end with these words: You're Hired!