Fashion: Formal is best for a job interview

If you're graduating from university or leaving school for the workforce this month, you're probably breathing a sigh of relief. No more assignments, no more studying, no more uniforms. Right?

Well, sort of. Being in the workforce comes with a uniform of its own.

And getting it right can be key to nailing a job. If you're getting ready for a job interview, follow our top tips for outfit success.

Dress for the job you want. It's a bit of a cliche but it helps to dress as if you're being interviewed for the top job, not for the entry-level role that you're probably looking at.

Take it a step up. You need to dress appropriately for the industry you're hoping to enter because it's important that the interviewer thinks you'll be a good fit within the firm. But to make an impression, try to dress slightly better than the employees of the business you're interviewing with. Check out what they wear to work and find something just slightly more formal.

Show your personality ... but not too much. Women in particular can get away with adding a bit of colour to their outfits or accessorising. Make yourself memorable to your interviewer by showing them a bit of who you are. But keep it simple - Marie Claire described the best approach as "colouring within the lines".

It's work, not a nightclub. As Kaye Harding, president of the Northland chapter of Dress for Success says, if you can see up it, down it or through it, don't wear it to work.

Invest in some classic pieces that will tide you through many situations. A good suit in solid, neutral colours can be dressed up or down depending on the season and the event. Spending a bit more money on classic pieces is a good idea because they will last many seasons. A basic suit can be dressed up with an accessory such as a scarf.

Get a manicure. Untidy hands can be surprisingly distracting.

But keep your makeup to a minimum and avoid strong perfume or cologne.

Wear something you are comfortable in, so you can focus on the interview rather than whether your outfit looks right.