If an employer expects you to dress a certain way when you work in their building and represent their company, why wouldn't they expect you to follow a dress code for interview? The fact of the matter is that they do, and if you don't dress accordingly, you may not get hired.

Why should your dress reflect your desire to succeed? You want to show your potential boss that you take the interview process seriously and that you will be just as serious about your job. Worried about overdressing? Don't. Employers expect you to dress in your finest. Overdressing is impossible when you're trying to secure employment.

Business apparel for any type of job interview is necessary. Even if you will not be required to dress up for the particular job you are applying for, you should still dress up for your interview. Choose professional, conservative attire. Avoid plunging necklines and outfits that are too tight or too revealing. Choose colors that are muted. Make sure that your clothes are freshly laundered and free of wrinkles. Never wear clothes with holes or stains, and pay close attention to your personal grooming as well. Take care when selecting makeup, fragrances and jewelry.

Following a dress code for interview involves a lot more than picking out an outfit. Accessories are equally vital. Pay attention to everything that you put on your body including your shoes and jewelry choices. Wear dress shoes instead of tennis shoes and choose dressy, non-flashy jewelry.

While we're on the topic of jewelry, let's take a moment to talk about piercing and other types of body adornments. Always choose jewelry and adornments that will not detract from your professional appearance. You may need to remove some piercing such as facial piercing. Tattoos and certain hair styles may also be offensive to some. Wear clothes that cover tattoos and try to choose conservative hairstyles and colors while you are looking for a job.

When choosing your dress code for interview, take into consideration parts of your appearance that you wish to downplay. For example: If you have a distracting scar, you may wish to conceal it. While employers will not discriminate against a scar, it might distract them from hearing and seeing what an ideal job candidate you really are.