How to feel comfortable and stay cool and unflustered while still presenting a professional and polished image when the temperatures are up in the 90s and it is sticky and sweaty? Follow these tips on how to dress for your interview when the heat is on:

1. Select the right interview clothes

For women a light wool skirt and blazer is also a good option. A linen suit absorbs humidity but if you have to travel any distance to your interview it is likely to get creased. In this case try a silk-linen mix which is crease resistant and cool. A percentage of lycra in the fabric also keeps the wrinkles away.  A crisp cotton shirt in white always looks light and airy.
Remember that the arteries in your neck generate a lot of heat so avoid scarves or heavy necklaces in summer. Keep the top button of your shirt open. If the position is less corporate you could select a sleeveless dress with a light, matching jacket.

2. Avoid a wilting hairdo

Choose a hairdo that is simple, secure and cool. Avoid an elaborate hairdo that is likely to result in stray pieces that stick to your neck and face in the heat. A low chignon always looks professional.

If you have short hair make sure that you don’t have a fringe that hangs across your face, making you feel hot and uncomfortable. For men, shave closely and have a neat hair cut before the interview.

When dressing for a job interview in the summer months lighten up on your makeup. A fresh summer look means less heavy makeup and more natural shades. Avoid heavy eyeliner and dark shades.

3. Don’t overdo the scent

Men can use aftershave instead of cologne. It is much milder smelling. Be aware of other strong cosmetic smells like hair lotion or gel. Women should use their perfume moderately and apply it a good couple of hours before the interview. Don’t overpower the interviewer with just applied perfume or deodorant.

4. Travel lightly

Stay cool and comfortable on your way to the interview. Take off your jacket for the journey to your interview, this will keep perspiration down and stop you from becoming overheated.

If you are wearing heels, take them off and wear a comfortable pair of flats on your journey. Wearing comfortable shoes avoids arriving with swollen and sweaty feet and just makes you feel cooler. Slip your heels back on just before you arrive at your interview. Sprinkling your feet with foot powder before putting on your heels can keep them cool and dry.

Give yourself extra time, about 15 to 20 minutes, to cool down properly before your interview is due to begin. Go to the lobby bathroom or a nearby restaurant and take a breather. Take a few moist toilettes and freshen up before you slip your jacket back on. Wash and dry your hands well, you don’t want to subject the interviewer to a sweaty, damp handshake. Check your hair and makeup.

Finding a job when you are a teen is very difficult. One of the best strategies in my opinion is to attend as many job fairs as you can. So to answer the question I posed in the article headline, Yes, job fairs are a great place to find jobs for teens. There a variety of job fairs, so make sure you are attending the right ones so you are not wasting your time. As a teen, you will want to attend the more generalized job fairs, these will usually have traditional teen jobs like, retail, restaurant and customer service jobs.

Here are some tips to make the most out of your job fair experience:

Preparation is the most important thing. You should prepare the night before and make sure you have plenty of resumes printed on good paper. It is also a good idea to practice answering some basiv interview questions. A piece of advice I give to my clients is have a friend or parent do a role play with you. Another tip I suggest is to videotape yourself. You will be amazed at much you will learn aftter you watch your self on tape.

Dress for success. Make sure you are presenting yourself professionally. I recommend a suit for men, and a pant suit for women. If you dress to impress you will already be way one step ahead of the competition that did not. I am sure you have heard the impression, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, this is especially true when you are job hunting. Employers will make a judgement on you based on how you look. I must admit, I am guilty of this as well when I hire people.

Make as many connections as possible. Make sure you talk to every company that you are interested in. Try to make a lasting impression. These companies will interview hundreds of applicants, it is important that you stand out at the end of the day. Another tip is to get as many business cards as you can and call or email them to follow up. What I have found from my own experience is that usually the person who follows up and is aggressive in pursuing the job will be the person who gets the job.