I have been to many types of job interviews both as a candidate and as a member of an assessment team or oral interview panel. In doing so, I have developed my own short list of wardrobe don’ts for job interviewers which I want to share with you: 

It is not necessarily good to dress down to the job. 
Which means that if while performing the job you would normally wear casual attire, that shouldn’t dictate what you wear to the interview. I think it is to your advantage to show yourself off at your best. It gives the interviewers an idea of what your potential might be, say for the next level up or as a supervisor. 

I know I might get flax on this suggestion from IT people, who along with stand-up comedians believe that jeans are suitable for any occasion. I remember they had a long battle to get David Letterman out of jeans. But if you are going to front a network show, you have to look like you belong there. Although don’t go overboard with the dress, you shouldn’t look like a head waiter unless, of course, that is the job you are applying for. 

Don’t let your clothes wear you. 
That might seem like an odd piece of advice at first, but think about it. Your interview clothing shouldn’t be so distracting in their color or design that all the interviewer sees is your clothing. For you guys, dull back on the ties; your tie should not be the first thing that enters the room. Ladies, do not come in costume (I think you know what I mean), or eveningwear for a daytime job. 

Ladies watch your necklines. 
Notwithstanding the images projected on the television and in the movies, cleavage does not have a place in the office world, unless you work at a fashion magazine. 

I am going to let you girls in on the workings of male mind as it relates to the attire of a female coworker. First of all, in this day and age, all men (and particularly male supervisors) are trained to be afraid of giving any impression, whatsoever, of sexual harassment. (You may have heard the term “elevator eyes” or the charges of objectifying by staring.) 

So, when your neckline takes an inappropriate plunge south, it is just outright embarrassing for male coworkers in an office. You can imagine what an interviewer will think, ‘If she wears this to an interview, what will she be wearing on the job.” For the sake of peace and harmony, give us a break… watch your neckline, no bear midriffs, keep the hemline at a fashionable, but conservative level. 

I hope you girls don’t think I have been picking on you. If you have gripes about men, I am more than happy to hear about them. I just don’t think, although, any of us will ever be able to change the way plumbers dress. 

Well this has been therapeutic for me, thank you for allowing me to get these pet peeves out. I hope you can take this as a heads up for your next interview.