PHI THETA KAPPA International Honor Society of the Two Year College

Perhaps you’ve seen the show where two very stylish blond women with British accents stop people on the street and literally tear at their clothing making “tsk, tsk” sounds and shouting “What were you thinking when you got dressed this morning?” Well, you can be pretty sure that no one in a job interview will be doing that to you – but they may be thinking it.

So, how do Society members know what to wear for that all-important interview? Should you wear a suit or is business casual attire appropriate? What is considered Professional Attire and how casual is Business Casual?

What follows are some definitions of the dress usually considered Business Casual or Professional Attire, grouped according to the predominant career searches relative to Phi Theta Kappa members.

Definition of Business Casual Attire:
For Men:
No tie, button-down shirt and slacks for men, khakis are OK, no jeans.
Leather shoes polished or suede shoes brushed.
For Women:
A skirt or slacks and blouse or sweater, no jeans.
Stylish, conservative shoes and neutral hose.
Jewelry should be limited and understated, not “showy.”

Phi Theta Kappa members can generally assume that Business Casual interview attire is appropriate when interviewing for the following positions:
• Law Enforcement
• Computer Specialist
• Health Industries
• Veterinary Technician
• Skilled Trades – Services: Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Mortuary, Hospitality
• Skilled Trades – Industrial: Electronics, Construction, Automotive, Trucking, Agriculture, Manufacturing

Definition of Professional Attire:
For Men:
A black or navy blue suit with a white or conservative matching shirt and tie. Because tie widths go in and out of style so quickly, find out what is current.
Leather shoes polished or suede shoes brushed.
For Women:
A black or navy blue suit with a white or matching conservative blouse. For most companies, conservative pantsuits are OK, but if in doubt, wear the skirt instead. Conservative skirt length dictates to your knees, thighs covered.
Stylish, conservative shoes and neutral hose.
Jewelry should be limited and understated, not “showy.”

Phi Theta Kappa members can generally assume that Professional Attire is appropriate when interviewing for positions in the following industries:
• Accounting
• Banking
• Law Office
• Business Office
• Education
• Government
• Sales

For both Professional Attire and Business Casual, the following rules apply:
For Men:
Get a haircut.
Make sure your nails are clean and shaped.
Don’t overdo the cologne or aftershave – in fact, a better rule is to leave it off.
Carry your resume and references in a tasteful leather briefcase or portfolio.
For Women:
Wear a simple, current hairstyle.
Present short, manicured nails with a neutral polish.
Go light on the perfume or better yet, wear none at all.
Carry a smart leather briefcase or portfolio for your resume and addendums.
If you carry a purse, make it small and simple.

One additional note – there may be exceptions to these guidelines! If you are not sure of the culture of the company, it is better to err on the conservative side and over-dress rather then show up for an interview dressed too casually. If you have doubts, call the human resource department at the company you are applying to and ask what would be appropriate for the interview.

Also, don’t overlook another significant resource when preparing for the interview process – your Chapter Advisor. As experienced professionals, Chapter Advisors are valuable assets to Society members so be sure to take advantage of their expertise during this very important stage of your career planning