Interview Nail Polish

Your interview ensemble could be on-point -- a navy blue, professionally tailored skirt suit, with the perfect hose and pumps -- but if your accessories, including makeup, hair and fingernails detract from your appearance, they might affect your chances of being selected for the job. Tend to the details of your interview appearance, down to the color of your nail polish, for the best impression.

Here are some of manicure suggestions for your next interview:

• Go for a clean-cut look: a soft, rounded-square shape, short length and a nude or pink shade of polish.
  
• Aim for a short to medium length.
• Find the perfect natural shade of polish that complements your skin tone.
  
  

  Essie French Affair
• Use a top coat to avoid chipping or tattered nails.

 

Conservative Field

Dress modestly for interviews in conservative fields, such as professional services firms, for legal and accounting staff. If you wear colored nail polish, make sure it's a neutral shade. Five-alarm-fire red hues and frozen-pop pinks aren't likely to be good colors for an interview as a lawyer, accountant or engineer, or any paraprofessionals in these fields. Stick to sheer colors, taupe, beige or clear nail polish and ensure your nails are well-manicured. If you're concerned about what the interviewer might think about your choice of nail polish, then it's likely not a good choice.

 

Health Care Occupations

Colored nail polish may not be suitable for many health care occupations, mainly because it raises questions about hygiene and chemicals that polishes and lacquers contain. Unchipped nail polish is acceptable if the manicure is fresh, meaning less than four days old. If you're interviewing for a job as a nurse or a job in which you have direct patient care duties, it's probably safe to wear colorless polish, if any. If you are in fields with specific guidelines, follow them so the interviewer knows you're aware of the policies concerning employee safety and hygiene.

 

Foodservice

 

Unless you are interviewing for an administrative position within the industry; there should be no acrylic nails or nail polish. Nails should be trimmed and buffed.

 

Fashion Industry

Your suitability for a job in the fashion and beauty industry may depend on your qualifications, plus whether you "look the part." The rules may be more relaxed concerning attire, accessories and makeup when you're interviewing for a position in this industry. If you're interviewing to be a sales representative for a company that sells nail polish, use that particular company's brand of nail lacquer, be able to tell the interviewer what shade you're wearing and comment about the brand's durability and ease of use. The color you wear isn't as important as the condition of your nails; however, if you're aiming to impress the interviewer, consider wearing the latest shade. It might be the perfect icebreaker before the interview.

 

Cosmetology

Similar to the health care field, the appearance of your nails should be far more important than the color of your nail polish if you're interviewing for a position as a nail technician. In a busy salon, it's difficult for nail technicians to keep their nail polish intact when they use so many different nail solvents and polishes, and expose their hands to constant hand washing without gloves for protection. A professional length with clear polish or buffed, no-polish nails is a nice, understated look for this field.

 

Men

It's not unusual for men to get regular manicures. Some insist on colorless polish to protect the condition and appearance of their nails. Some might men wear deep shades of nail polish such as black or navy. Unless you're auditioning to join a Marilyn Manson cover band, you probably shouldn't wear nail polish to your interview. Wait until you get the job before wearing colorless polish. Although polish for men may become mainstream, men sporting nail polish for interviews isn't yet widely accepted.

 

Considerations

Any nail polish shade that makes you want to cover your hands or not use hand gestures like you typically would in a conversation is a sign you're not comfortable with the color. You can usually tell whether your appearance -- from interview attire down to the smallest detail, such as nail polish -- isn't right. However, when you feel you've pulled off the perfectly appropriate look for your industry and occupation, then by all means, go with it.