Ready to start your dream career as a Medical Assistant or Nursing Assistant? Than you better arrive at your interview dressed to impress! Use this guide to make a great first impression and ensure you stun your interviewers with your professional appearance!

1. PROFESSIONAL APPERANCE
You've heard the phrase "you never get a second chance to make a first
impression" many times during your life. While this concept rings true in
every aspect of life, perhaps the most important time to stop and consider
what this means is when preparing for a job interview.
Often job seekers are unsure about what appropriate professional
appearance is, yet many of Allen School graduate’s employers list it as an
important factor in getting hired. The overall impression that you make
begins, and in some cases ends, with your appearance.
The moment you are introduced to a job interviewer, he or she forms an
initial impression based on your appearance. When you have a chance to
interview for a job that you want, it is important that you do everything that
you can to make a positive impression on the interviewer. "In an interview
situation, you're marketing yourself as a product, and so you want and need
to have the best image possible", keep in mind that projecting a professional
appearance doesn't just mean on the interview.
If you pick up the application in your dirty gym clothes you may still be
remembered as the smelly gym guy by the employer. You never know when
you could be offered a job on the spot! Present yourself in a professional
manner during your entire job search and even after you get hired.
Appropriate Attire
You should dress appropriately for the position you are interested in. This
usually means at least a dress shirt and slacks for men and a nice skirt or
slacks with a blouse for women. Take note of how employees seem to
dress. When in doubt, stay on the conservative side.
That being said, remember that your appearance, like your resume, is a way
of marketing yourself. For example, if you are applying at a hip clothing
store, then your showing off your trendy sense of style may be acceptable.
But wearing a miniskirt to your interview at a medical office may show that
you are unprofessional and will project the wrong image to clients.
Presenting a Polished Image
One of the most important things to remember about creating a professional
image is cleanliness. This means clean, unwrinkled clothing in good
condition (no frayed hems or stains). Shoes and purses should also be clean
and in good condition. Make sure you bathe well and use a good deodorant.
Check your fingernails for any dirt and grime. Lastly, make sure hair is
clean and neatly styled. Men, remember to shave or trim facial hair.

2. DRESSING for SUCCESS
The attire for the interview should present a professional image. For any
interview, more conservative, corporate attire is appropriate. Classic suits in
blue, black and gray with light colored shirts and blouses, classic style ties
and shoes are recommended.
For women, be conservative with makeup and jewelry. Employers don’t care
about the brand labels in your clothes; they are looking for someone who is
clean, put-together, and confident.
Both men and women should maintain well groomed hair and nails. In order
to avoid the possibility of falling victim to an interviewers personal
preferences, remove multiple ear piercings, all facial piercings and make
sure that tattoo’s are not conspicuous. The goal is to ensure that the focus
of any interview is on what you have to say and not what you are wearing.
INTERVIEW BASICS for MEN
 Navy, black, charcoal gray colored suit
 Polished black dress shoes
 Solid white pressed shirt
 Conservative, professional tie
 Black, calf-length socks
 Attaché
 Belt to match shoes
 Hair; clean and recently trimmed
 Nails, clean and short
 Facial hair (if any) neatly trimmed or clean shaven face with no shadow
 Avoid flashy ties or printed shirts, keep it simple and understated.
 Jewelry should be limited to a watch and one ring
 Don’t wear cologne or aftershave
 No smoking or chewing gum
 Bring a good quality pen
 No visible tattoos or body piercing

3. INTERVIEW BASICS for WOMEN
 Suit or tailored dress in a solid or very subtle print
 Clean closed-toed shoes with basic shape and medium heel
 Attaché or small handbag, not both, match to shoes
 Hosiery in neutral skin tone or sheer black/navy NEVER darker than your
shoes
 Skirt should be knee length or longer, no extreme slits
 Hair should be simple and neat
 Nails should be clean and short, no polish or a subtle color with no chips
 Make-up should be minimal, in neutral tones and non-distracting
 Simple jewelry; small hoops or studs for earrings, watch, one ring per
hand, necklace should be simple
 Don’t wear perfume or cologne
 No smoking or chewing gum
 Bring a good quality pen
 No visible tattoos or body piercing
Once you’ve prepared the outside package, make sure your attitude
matches. You should convey the air of someone who is bright, alert, and
enthusiastic and motivated. Look the employers in the eye, smile, and give
him/her a firm handshake.
Above all, KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE! Relax and let who you are
shine through. Believe in yourself and what you have to offer – they
will too!

4. PROFESSIONAL TABOO’S
There are a few things that almost always read as unprofessional. While
there are always exceptions to the rules, these are a few things to avoid.
You can flaunt your personal style outside of work!
Personal
Clothing Footwear Accessories/Misc
Grooming
Earrings larger than a
T-shirts Platform shoes Long nails
quarter
Anything tight /
Multiple
revealing/ baggy Tennis shoes Unpolished nails
bracelets/bangles/rings
clothing
Miss-matched Heavy or flashy
Open toe shoes Oversize bags
clothing makeup
Denim Jeans Sandals Unshaved facial hair Facial piercings
Sweatpants or Smelling of Backpacks
Flip flops
sweatshirts cigarettes /fanny packs
Shoes with logos
Anything too trendy Sunglasses Hats
or flashy designs
Outdated clothing Stilettos Heavy perfume Visible tattoos
Visible bras / Poor
Ballet shoes Glitter anything
underwear posture/slouching
Uggs® or similar
Wrinkled clothing Uncombed hair Bold/patterned hosiery
kind of boot
Showing midriff White shoes Chipped nail polish Trendy or worn purses
Miniskirts or shorts Unpolished shoes Soiled fingernails Gum chewing
Un-tucked shirts Scuffed shoes Dry/cracked hands Bad breath
Sundresses Bright colors NO Deodorant Logos or lettering
Wearing your pager or phone Over-Accessorizing
(TURN IT OFF!!) (remove extra jewelry)
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The Allen School has been changing people’s lives for over 45 years. More than 60,000 women and men have trusted the Allen School with their
Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant educations. Plus, only the Allen School offers the Fast-Track to Success program that lets you complete
your studies in 9 short months versus 15 months at other schools.