Look in the Mirror - What do you see?

Great Suit BUT Why That Tie?
I interviewed a candidate the other day who, at first glance, portrayed a very professional image.  He wore a nice blue suit - not navy or powder blue - almost a slate blue.  Very sharp and well pressed.  He had on a nice light blue shirt that also looked fresh and well pressed.  White or a pale blue work well for interview shirt colors.  His shoes were polished, his nails were clean.  I thought he made a great first impression, until I focused on his tie.  It was a pale blue, darker than the shirt and lighter than the suit.  The color itself was a great match.  The issue - the tiny martini shakers and glasses that created the pattern.  They were indeed tiny so I didn't notice them at first.  When I did, my view of this candidate changed. 

Look Sharp But Save the Personality Statement
Wearing a tie like that can send a lot of different messages.  While it may be playful, it could also convey 'I love to party' or 'I love to drink'.  And, if I were a teetotaler or have had problems with alcohol in the past either personally, with an employee or co-worker, that tie could knock him right out of contention and he wouldn't even know that that's what got in his way.

Some 'no-nos' in interview attire...
For women: no short skirts, no tight or low cut blouses, no patterned stockings, avoid very high heels and some would suggest no sandals or open toed shoes, no large or distracting jewelry especially dangling earrings and bracelets that click when you move your arm, no black or day-glo nail polish, subtle make-up.

For men: no short sleeve shirts that show 5 inches of arm when you bend your elbow, no short socks that show 5 inches of hairy leg when you cross your legs, no power ties in pink or yellow, no beige suits (even in summer), and no funny ties!

For all:  no perfume or aftershave (you never know who might be allergic), no shoes that you just wore in the garden or clothes that should have gone to the dry cleaner or been ironed before you put them on.

REMEMBER to check dress code in advance if possible and, should they say business casual, dress on the high side of casual.