Health & beauty

Beauty Tips: 11 Things Your Interviewer Won't Tell You About Your Looks

Don't get disqualified for a job by making these interview mishaps. See our beauty tips

March 17, 2011 | by Sharon J. Yi | 42 COMMENTS

Unemployment can be emotionally (not to mention financially) draining. We've all been there at one time or another, and with the national unemployment rate at a whopping 8.9 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, applying for a job today is more competitive than ever. So, when you do finally secure an interview, it's important to present yourself in a way that sends the right message. First impressions, as we've all heard a million times, are key.

Skip to see the 11 beauty tips you should follow to avoid an interview disaster.

In order to figure out what prevents employers from hiring fully qualified applicants, we talked to hiring managers, human resource specialists and recruiters. Their reasons were kinda surprising. From hangnails left behind on a conference room table to applicants with sweat dripping from their brows -- beauty mishaps were at the top of the list of reasons to show an applicant to the door.

So, while we're hopefully near the end of this recession, don't (for lack of a better clich�) shoot yourself in the foot at your next interview by ignoring these beauty tips.

See the 11 beauty tips you need to avoid an interview disaster -- now.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Tip 1: Keep sweat in check

1 of 12

products mentioned

Bobbi Brown Blotting Paper

9.3

Paul Labrecque Curly Style

0.0

Benefit Benetint

7.7

leave a comment

View old comments

And please don't smoke before an interview. It reeks!

by EricaF123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 08:22AM Report as inappropriate

I'll remember these!

by LittleBunny Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 06:24AM Report as inappropriate

good tips...most are obvious though

by olkrav319 Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 03:58PM Report as inappropriate

Good tips to follow .I always tone my makeup down and don't wear any perfume.

by beautybody Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at 07:44PM Report as inappropriate

Yup, common sense, mostly.

by tallredamanda Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 11:20AM Report as inappropriate

I can't imagine some people actually doing some of these things! Pretty common sense if you ask me!

by jmserrano22 Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 08:15PM Report as inappropriate

i don't think you need a suit, to look professional but at least a dress jacket. banana republic has a nice one.

by 4evayoung Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 10:32AM Report as inappropriate

As an HR manager myself, I need to make a few points: Dress appropriately! Corporate interviews, wear a suit. Most other jobs, slacks or skirt and a nice blouse. NEVER wear a skirt to an interview that is more than 3 inches above the knee, don't show cleavage, and make sure your outfit is not too tight. Don't wear a lot of perfume - some people may be allergic. Also, try not to smoke for at least 30 minutes before your interview. If you smell like an ashtray that is just gross. Lastly, and most important, if you should make a huge mistake during your interview, acknowledge it, if necessary, apologize, and move on. Interviewers see a lot of potential candidates throughout the day, and we are more likely to forget your flub if YOU get over it quickly! I hope that these additional tips help. Happy interviewing!

by queeniemeanie Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 06:44PM Report as inappropriate

I read parts of this article of some of it is discriminating. You can't reject someone or not consider them if they wear many rings of there are flyaways in their hair. i didnt enjoy reading this bc it is just bs

by tinkerbella26 Friday, December 16, 2011 at 09:45PM Report as inappropriate

You would think that some of these would be common sense but there's always a few people out there who don't have much of it. It is so important to look polished and professinal. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

by taryn.romero Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 08:24AM Report as inappropriate

great common sense tips and one i can't wait to try-subtle highlighting of inner corners of eyes and cheekbones for subtle radiance.

by skinpro Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 03:57PM Report as inappropriate

I agree that you should look polished and professional- but being confident and professional is more important. I would hope that having chipped nails wouldn't preclude me from a position as long as I handled myself professionally and was qualified.

by hlm258 Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 07:59AM Report as inappropriate

This is unbelievably important. The job market is so competitive following these tips will definitely help give you the edge. You don't want to be overlooked because of your appearance and because someone who was equally qualified took time out to follow these simple rules and you didn't. Remember to be neat, professional and confident. I always think its best to be as non-offence as possible, meaning I try to be neutral in my appearance - remember everyone has different tastes and although I love my bright red nail polish, other people may not.

by missie_mousie Monday, September 19, 2011 at 04:19PM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful...you do not know how many poeple come over/underunder dressed

by janellelora Monday, September 5, 2011 at 12:30AM Report as inappropriate

Very good - agree business/professional etiquette is still important snd should be attended to in all business scenarios.

by Breton Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 09:04PM Report as inappropriate

Glad this was done..contrary to what some may think etiquette is still important.

by attagirl Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 04:29PM Report as inappropriate

good tips

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:42PM Report as inappropriate

Good tips, that is very good info. Some of those tips can be used in everyday life also.

by MissPurple Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 01:15PM Report as inappropriate

These tips are a great reminder of all the little things we tend to let slip during the stress of an interview. Another good tip would be to go very, very light on perfume or cologne; or better yet, don't wear any at all! Too many ladies wear far more fragrance than they realize, and it's a terrible turn off to interviewers!

by bukiyounahito Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 08:32AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips! I have interviewed some really thoughtless people over the years, and I wish they had learned some of these basic, common sense things.

by benbri1 Monday, May 23, 2011 at 04:04PM Report as inappropriate

Very good tips...it's easy to forget the little details sometimes

by LittleBunny Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 06:45PM Report as inappropriate

Good tips. You'd think that they'd be obvious, but surprisingly, many people don't follow them. I get a tiny bit nervous before an interview, so I use these tips as a night-before "checklist" to help me remember it all, and give myself a confidence boost :)

by LipglossandSpandex Friday, April 8, 2011 at 08:57PM Report as inappropriate

what happens if god forbid you dont drive and are taking a bus and panicking , and wind has raped your hair and made your eyes tear so much your great makeup job is now destroyed upon arrival to your interview, your sweating from the exertion of energy of rushing to get to he bus on time so you dont miss it and totally blow your interview then your panicking in general because of the interview, and you have a terrible runny nose from all the wind etc.... then what? these are al my issues....plus the fact that i dont drive makes it difficult to be able to dress the way i would like to make the impression id really want to. i feel screwed be ause of factors i have no control over.

by sarbear86 Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 06:19AM Report as inappropriate

Excellent advice for job seekers. Interviewers look at your appearance, attire, grooming, as well as your presentation.

by beautifuljen2 Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:06PM Report as inappropriate

I know this is a beauty site, but another alternative to chipped nail polish is to just be well groomed and remove your nail polish entirely. (Do be careful that it doesn't leave residue.) I think it is perfectly professional to have trimmed, clean, naturally colored nails. In fact, people whose hands are to overdone limit their usefulness in some jobs. How can someone do filing, use a computer or restock products (in a retail setting, for instance) with overly long nails?

by MomEsq Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 02:02PM Report as inappropriate

some stuff I would hope everyone already knows, but still some good tips.

by all_the_words Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:28AM Report as inappropriate

Most of these tips are common sense, which now days is not so common, however; they are useful especially in this economy. Another important thing is to really listen to the interviewer. I've had times where I was so nervous that I wasn't really listening and then the person asked me a question about what they had talked about. I blanked then, but now I know to really focus and absorb what is said during the interview. Also while you don't want to reak of sweat, don't OD on the cologne or perfume either, that can be just as offensive in a professional environment.

by RoleModel Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 11:46PM Report as inappropriate

Good tips, but would someone going on a job interview really be foolish enough to leave their phone on DURING the interview? Some of these suggestions are for people that aren't ready for a job.

by alictasia Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 07:35PM Report as inappropriate

3rd. attempt here! Nothing new! Interviewers need to follow same advice. Works both ways.

by toddfan Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 03:07PM Report as inappropriate

ugh, i know i pick at my nails like that person in the story. Gotta stop it!!!

by CobraQueen Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 01:32PM Report as inappropriate

I was kind of hoping to learn something new, but at least these reinforce what I need to take note of.

by volta Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 12:00PM Report as inappropriate

good tips

by ChrisanneSkye Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 08:27AM Report as inappropriate

nice article, thank you very much

by jenny_mcklaud Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 05:27AM Report as inappropriate

a little obvious

by judyangel101 Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 06:13PM Report as inappropriate

some are great tips.. others are just plain obvious

by lelalu100 Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 09:29AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips for any interview session, even if you've been to a few before. I used a lot of these at my last interview and it definitely paid off.

by kayla_d_moore Friday, March 18, 2011 at 08:05AM Report as inappropriate

These are quite obvious. Let's just assume they are for first-time interviewees.

by Isis04 Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 09:32PM Report as inappropriate

To Little Bunny: Good Luck tomorrow!

by Isis04 Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 09:25PM Report as inappropriate

I will try these tomorrow!

by LittleBunny Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 01:58PM Report as inappropriate

Clean,neat,minimalistic and professional! That is it!

by selma Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 01:18PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the commenter before me, these tips are pretty obvious. Although, I must admit that I didn't realize that interviewers paid that much attention to nails. Chipped polish and/or nails, yes, but hangnails? Hmm...

by missiongirl87 Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 01:08PM Report as inappropriate

Most of them are pretty obvious..

by Kirtastrophe Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 12:15PM Report as inappropriate

Home » Beauty Tips » Health & beauty » Beauty tips » Beauty Tips: 11 Things Your Interviewer Won't Tell You About Your Looks