Feature -- by Nextsteps Staff

Don't judge a book by its' cover. We have all heard this many times but reality tells us that first impressions can have a major impact on the success of an interview. In fact, if you choose to show up to an interview unkept, unshaven and unbathed, you may remain unhired. With that in mind here are some tips and suggestions on "dressing for success".

• Use common sense - ask yourself what message you are trying to convey with your outfit and then decide if it is the right one for the job you are seeking.
• Dress professionally - This means arriving at your interview wearing an outfit which conveys the message that you are there to do business.
• One recomendation is that you dress a step up from what you would wear if you were already working there.
• In most cases you can't go wrong with a simple dark sports jacket for men and a dark suit for women. Ties are not always necessary but avoid wearing a T-shirt to an interview.
• Above all, wear clean, well-pressed clothes and make sure you are clean and odor-free.
• Jewelery is fine but keep it to a minimum.

If you take the time to show that you care about your appearance, your efforts will be rewarded. Look sharp, stay sharp and good luck!