You have received your Green Degree, written a very persuasive resume, filled out a half dozen applications and have just received your first request for an interview with a very well-known company. This is your big chance to show off your knowledge and passion for what you feel could be the perfect job. You grab your sweatshirt while heading out the door in your favorite jeans and tee shirt so you will be on time for your interview.

If you don't see anything wrong with this picture, read on. First impressions at a job interview can make or break a job offer. Image Dynamics, an organization that specializes in personal and professional effectiveness estimates that 55% of a person's appearance results in the contributing marks that you receive in a job interview. The potential employer is faced with the question of your seriousness in contributing to their organization when you present yourself with a casual nonchalant air in attire.

Here are some tips for what to wear and your personal presentation when going to a green job interview. Following these tips will ease the mind of the interviewer instead of leaving them with a gnawing sense of doubt, distracted by your indifferent choice of dress.

• •  Bathe, dry your hair and brush it out or have it professionally styled. Perhaps your job interview is for outdoor work as a turbine installer or an inspector for solar power and you want to give the appearance that you are not afraid to get dirty. This is not the time and place to make such a statement. An unkempt appearance will make the potential employer wonder if you will just go downhill from here.


• •  You can't go wrong with a solid color, conservative suit on any type of job interview. If you do not own a suit, dress pants or skirt and a plain, neatly pressed shirt or blouse will suffice. You do not want to wear bright, flashy clothing that can distract the discussion at hand.


• •  Don't overdo the makeup or perfume. Less is best when planning to make eye contact with your interviewer. They want to see your reactions and expressions and not have to fight with the paint you are hiding under. A fresh, natural look will say lots for your character.


• •  The night before, attend to your fingernails. They don't have to be professionally done but clean and manicured provides signs that you care about yourself.


• •  Arrive with a portfolio or briefcase that contains a writing pad and your own pencils and pens to show that you are prepared for note taking.

Green jobs are becoming the wave of the future but respect for future employers never changes. You may be just what the company has been waiting for in a specialized employee but the question of attitude and professionalism will go out the door if your appearance is less than acceptable. Why risk a great shot at the perfect job by giving little thought about your overall appearance? Prepare yourself the day before and you will know that all of your hard work will have a better than average chance of starting that new career.