MBA Style magazine's
Colors and Patterns To Wear for Interviewing

Sixty-five percent of what a job recruiter recalls is conveyed visually, not orally. Therefore, to present an image that is professional and credible, you must dress accordingly.

Men should allow no more than two patterns in the visual field during interviews. This means that if you have a solid suit, you can have a patterned tie and shirt. If you have a patterned suit, you should have either a solid shirt or a solid tie. If both your suit and shirt are patterned or pin-striped, you should wear a solid tie.

Outside of job interview, this rule can be broken by wearing patterns that are of differing proportions. If you're wearing a grey pinstripe, your shirt can also be striped as long as the width of the shirt's stripes vary from those of the suit. You can also get away with a patterned tie, shirt and suit if all 3 are in the same color family.

Avoid overpowering both your interview suit and the recruiter with your suit and tie. At a Wall Street Finance interview, too bold a tie can spoil your chances for a job.

Recruiters remember your visual impressions just as much as they recall bullet-points on your resume. Black makes a more distinct impression than navy. It's more stylish and looks better with a white blouse.

According to Charmaine McClaire Cox, and Oakland-based image consultant, suits usually show professionalism without individuality, or individuality without professionalism. To strike a distinguished balance, she recommends adding individual flair through your accessories, but maintaining a suit that connotes respectability and stability.

Men can wear vibrant ties with red, cobalt blue, and burgundy. Cox believes that regimentally striped ties convey the most powerful image, followed by "neat" ties with small repeating designs.

Women should keep their accessories to a minimum, and should avoid earrings that dangle. Dangling earrings will distract the recruiter (who will watch your earrings rather than listen to you describe your skills).