Your attractiveness for job interviews is the first thing to be judged and examined. You only get one chance to make a great first impression. The interviewer may not remember what you are wearing, but they should remember that your appearance is polished and professional.

In a job interview, they judge absolutely everything, including your image and appearance. It is imperative that you make the right choice about what to wear to job interviews so that you look professional and can be taken seriously.

Regardless of the company’s dress code, the default standard for job interview clothing is always conservative attire. When in doubt, go ahead and wear a suit or business suit.

But what if the hiring managers tell you upfront that the dress code is casual since the interview is on a Friday? They probably gave you that advice so you can dress appropriately for the job interview.

Then what do you do?

The general rule of thumb to use when selecting your interview clothing is to dress 1 step above the dress code. This is what I mean. If it’s business casual, your interview attire is business attire. If it’s casual, your attraction to the job interview must be business casual.

So if it’s casual Friday and you’ve been specifically told what the dress code is, don’t make the mistake of dressing like all the other employees. It’s okay for them to wear jeans, sandals, and shorts, but they already work there. You also don’t want to be too conservative and overdressed (especially if you’ve been told it’s a casual day at the office). So, focus on the business casual appeals.

Here is a quick checklist for you to follow:

Clothes – Wear dress pants or a dress skirt and wear neutral colors like navy, brown, gray and black. Wear a blouse or dress shirt, again in nice neutrals or pastels. Choose white or light pink, blue and green. Stay away from flashy colors like red that can be distracting.

Shoes – Everyone else can wear sandals and flip flops but you should always wear closed toe shoes like pumps to give it that business look. Steer clear of the six-inch heels you’d wear on a Friday night to hang out with the ladies. There’s nothing worse than tripping in the hallway during an interview.

jeweler’s – Even if it’s Friday, wear minimal jewelry that matches your overall look. Nothing fancy and nothing that dangles or makes noise when you move your head to talk.

Hate – Your hairstyle can make or break your entire interview outfit. Again, you want it to be conservative and polished, not messy and casual. Opt to pull your hair back into a ponytail instead of a casual, free-spirited “hang out at the beach” look.

briefcase – A casual and modern bag is not going to be enough for a business casual look. Carry a small satchel, tote bag, briefcase, or satchel with your resume, references, and other important documents that convey a conservative, professional appearance.

Choosing what to wear to job interviews on Fridays doesn’t mean you have to look any less professional, right?