Employers looking to hire cooks and food servers were always the quickest to call. “What is with these applicants?” they’d demand, referring to job hopefuls referred to them by our job center. “Some have dirt under their fingernails! We have a lot of older patrons. Can you imagine their reaction when the person taking their order has their lip pierced or a dragon tattooed on their wrist?”

As the job center manager, I received a lot of feedback from employers regarding the appearance of applicants.

Appearance hovers high on the list of reasons why applicants are not hired for jobs they seek. It also tops the list of complaints I received as an employment counselor. Many job seekers do not give appearance that same high priority. “My appearance is my business,” they would tell me grudgingly, even if they would later admit that they, too, made value judgments based on appearance.

Most people are quick to agree about the value of making a great first impression. In fact, the first impression you make on an employer may be based on your appearance.

Lack of personal cleanliness and grooming on the part of job applicants inspired the most irate phone calls I received from employers. It was not always easy to discuss these deficiencies with the individuals involved. Shower, wash your hair and use deodorant is very personal advice. Being attentive to these matters will help get you past the biggest hurdle in the war of first impressions. Dirty fingernails were a hang-up with some of my employers. Backyard mechanics were the chief offenders. Grease under the nails is a badge of honor in some circles, but not at a job interview.

Victor, one young man I counseled, was proud of wearing a suit and tie to a job interview. It was advice I always gave: “Wear a suit and tie to your interview!” However, Victor was interviewing for a job at a warehouse. When he returned, he told me that the person who interviewed him wore jeans and a golf shirt. Victor was too dressed up. He should have worn the kind of clothes workers at that company usually wear. I quickly revised my advice. Dress slightly up from the everyday attire for the job you’re interviewing for.

How do you know how people dress for work where you have an interview? If you know an employee at the business it is worthwhile to ask them. This person can give you other valuable information about the company.

Occasionally, I suggested that job seekers with an interview scheduled “case the joint.” This meant they would park near the business to observe workers going to and from work, and see how they dressed. When they went for their interview, they dressed accordingly.

I often asked employers why they didn’t hire specific candidates we referred to certain jobs, thinking they were well qualified. I was once surprised to learn that one of these “sure-bet” referrals was not hired based on a small matter of dress. “He had a button-down collar without the buttons fastened,” the employer said. “If he can’t get his buttons fastened I don’t want him in my office.” I considered this a minor detail, but it kept this candidate from getting the job. He did not make a good first impression.

Fair or not, employers consider a job candidate’s appearance to be a reflection of their personality. This was true in the 1960s when employers often gave me this specific direction: “Don’t send any longhairs.” Hair length is no longer a hot button for many employers, but it’s a sure bet that some other detail of personal appearance is in the crosshairs. Tattoos? Piercings? Droopy drawers? I recommend no extremes when going to a job interview.

By “no extremes” I mean that job candidates should dress conservatively. Those in hiring positions tend to seek employees who are not likely to rock the boat. A job interview is not the time to prove you are a free spirit.

There’s a minimum checklist job hopefuls should consult before heading off to the interview. Some of the items on that list: haircut, clean clothes, shined shoes, shower, apply deodorant, avoid scent or perfume, trim or shave beard, brush teeth, use mouthwash.

In my experience, many low-income job seekers believe purchasing special clothing for a job interview is a waste of money or simply won’t fit into their budgets. I recommend going to a Goodwill or thrift store. These outlets can be a great source of good quality, budget-friendly interview attire.

Years ago, I encountered one longtime homemaker forced back into the job market who came to a job interview wearing what was obviously her prom dress. She definitely could have done better with a quick trip to Goodwill.