Last modified: Sunday, September 7, 2008 2:34 AM EDT Allison Collins' business-casual outfit looks polished and stylish with nicely tailored pants, V-neck sweater and ruffled blouse. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell) What not to wear By Allison Collins For The Sun Chronicle Graduation. Check. Resume. Check. Job interview. Check. Suit for interview. Oh no! While many recent college graduates have the skills and knowledge to make them attractive to human resource departments and job recruiters, many lack the savvy to dress for success - both for the interview and after obtaining the job. Confused new grads, whose pre-employment budgets might not allow for new professional apparel, may not understand that casual attire is best left outside of interview rooms and new cubicles. "As much as we don't want to admit that first impressions are lasting or that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, it's done every single day by every recruiter," says Lisa Gavigan who heads employer relations at Wheaton College in Norton. "They are interviewing so many post grads, so many recent grads, so many people, looking at so many resumes, that the minute you come in, you're assessed in a heartbeat by the way you look, by the handshake that you give. It's everything." College career centers, like the Filene Center at Wheaton College, offer programs designed to prepare their students and future graduates for the work force. The center creates networking opportunities for students and provides help before they head out into the work force by creating mock interview situations, Gavigan says. Students are asked sample questions, and if they're dressed inappropriately Gavigan tells them. "Sometimes people come in like they would be going for a drink with a friend - and they're going for a job interview," she said. "You've got to determine the difference between Friday night out in town and Monday morning at work." Because first impressions are huge, dressing appropriately for an interview is important and there are ways a recent college grad can still afford a quality suit to get the job that will help pay back his or her student loans. Gavigan suggests asking friends and relatives, instead of giving you various other graduation gifts, to give you gift cards to stores where you can buy business wear. And if that isn't an option, take advantage of department store coupons when they come in the mail. Go out and buy the suit when it's on sale. You can get a quality outfit for about $150, maybe not including the shoes, Gavigan said. After the interview, it's still important to dress for your workplace. One would think that after an extensive and expensive education, college graduates would know better than to show up to work in jeans and T-shirts. But, as Gavigan reports, many students have yet to grasp this concept. She has heard stories about people who regularly go into work wearing flip flops and low-cut tops. "I think it's just a lack of exposure and their interest in wanting to make the bridge between college and career," said Gavigan. "You never want to be in a T-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans." Depending on the job you're after, the wardrobe desired will differ. If you desire to work in a more artsy environment, such as a graphic design studio or art gallery, there is room for creativity in your work wardrobe, said Gavigan. But if if Wall Street is in your future, there is not. Conservative dress is universally appropriate, and if you're unsure of what to wear to work, new hires should ask supervisors about company dress codes and expectations. "Always take your cues from the people around you," Gavigan said. Men should make sure that they do not wear light-colored socks or ankle socks with a suit. "Most women working in business will always wear hosiery and a closed-toed shoe," said Gavigan. She also suggests women wear hosiery for a business-casual environment as well. Skirts should be long enough that the hem sits just above your knee when seated. "I would hope that young women would want to be recognized for their capacity of doing their work and their job skills - not the fact they have great legs," she said. Clothes aren't the only things grads need to worry about when trying to land a job. Hair, nails, accessories and makeup also play a role in overall appearance. "Someone who really wants to be in banking will say 'You know what? It's time to get a haircut,'" said Gavigan. Women should make sure their hair is neat and that bangs are not consistently falling in their eyes. It will distract your employer from the message you are trying to send. Makeup should be kept natural, as unusual colors may detract from how your message is percieved. "You want them to listen to you and what you have to say," said Gavigan. Gavigan says to hide your tattoos and take out any facial piercings. "People may say 'Well, if they don't accept that, then I don't want to work there.' Well then, don't work there," Gavigan said. "Anything that detracts from what you're going to say is a no." EDITOR'S NOTE: Everyone loves their jeans, but has the country gone too casual? This is the first in an occasional series on dressing appropriately for certain venues. The next installment will feature what not to wear to the theater.