Career and Job Search Help Blog

It is no secret that one must look his/her best for a job interview: you must impress your potential boss. The question is: how much do you want to invest on a new wardrobe? Chances are, you won’t have a lot of cash reserve if you are looking for a job. You want to spend/invest wisely. This does not mean, however, you can’t look great for your interview. Here are some quick tips:

1. Aim to dress as smartly as you can, and, the business suit is the most suitable option even if your eventual job is going to require a casual dressing code. In most cases, for women, a tailored jacket and skirt or a pantsuit, while a jacket and slacks are fine for men. Aim to wear something clean and pressed. It is advisable for men to wear a long-sleeved shirts, yes, even in hot summer, and a conservative looking tie. Flash jewelry and unconventional hair may result in a negative impact. For ladies, a knee-length or longer skirt is preferable.
2. Borrow or buy gently used clothes. If you have friends or family members that are similar in your physique, it may be one of the best options in front of you. Of course it goes without saying that you must be choosy and careful when you are borrowing from someone else. There are many sources where you can buy clean, respectable used clothes from: local thrift stores, online sources, i.e. Kijiji.
3. Charities: it may sound strange that one should rely on a charity to obtain clothes for your job interviews. But, you should not discount the possibilities. These charities provide interview-quality clothes to economically challenged and unemployed people. The services are offered either for free or at a very affordable rate. Here are a couple of Toronto-based charities: Dress for Success (https://toronto.dressforsucess.org), Dress You Best, Toronto (www.dressyourbest.ca)

At Toronto Public Library, you will find many books and other media-related tips on how to dress for the job interview. You don't know how to look for them? Well, ask away at the  information desk. The librarians will be more than glad to help you out. But here are some of the examples of the books available on the topic.

Also, here are some articles from the internet that may be of help.

1. How To Dress For Your Next Job Interview http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/06/20/how-to-dress-for-your-next-job-interview/#3fef0b8d38ba

2. Best Interview Attire for Every Type of Job Interview https://www.thebalance.com/best-interview-attire-for-every-type-of-interview-2061364

3. Proper Dress for Job Interviews on a Budget http://www.best-job-interview.com/proper-dress-for-job-interviews.html

4. 4 Budget-Friendly Ways to Dress for an Interview Without Looking Cheap http://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/have-a-job-interview-4-ways-to-look-the-part-on-a-budget.html/?a=viewall