Your days of wild abandon, wacky hairstyles, sloppy dressing, jhola and kolapuri chappals are over. At least if you're on the interview list of corporates. While the college campus may be the perfect forum in which to exhibit your flair for the latest in fashion style, the interview is not the place to do so.

It must be said that the stiff suited booted companies have relaxed their internal dress code a wee bit. But interviewers, we're afraid are still the conservative old-fashioned type. Oxfords, business suits and a necktie is still called for. Sarees or a salwar kameezes for the ladies remain a fact of life in interviewing. You should be doing the talking not your clothes!

Dress smartly for your interview. It makes a positive impression. It's half the battle won. One final note on interview dress: while it goes without saying that your interview clothes should be neat and can, very few interviewees give the same time and attention to their shoes.

Shoes? Yes, shoes. I am aware of at least one Corporate Recruiter who forms first impressions based solely (pardon the pun) on shoes. This person does not have a shoe fetish--he subjectively judges that those who pay attention to details like their shoes are also likely to be diligent in their work life.

And it is not just that person's opinion. You will find that many ex-military officers (many of whom have found their way into management positions in corporate India) are especially aware of a person's shoes. It is not enough to be clean, pressed, and ironed. Make sure your shoes are conservative, clean, and polished.

Modesty never goes out of fashion. How you dress can make or break your career, for dressing speaks louder than words. Researchers comment that what people think about us is decided within the first three minutes of a meeting. This makes dressing an important business tool.

Here are some pointers for the working man...

• Clothes should be clean, pressed and well-fitting.
• A white shirt is ideal for formal wear. White socks are not!
• Make sure the trouser length is exactly right and the trousers just touch your shoes.
• Your belt and shoes should match. Black belt with black shoes is best.

...and for the working woman...

• Dress smartly and neatly otherwise sloppiness will show in your work as well.
• Business suits are becoming popular among the Indian women. Choose colours like navy blue, beige, grey, cream or brown.
• Trousers/skirts with shirts/tops look good on the woman on the move!
• Avoid bindis while wearing western clothes.....makes you look tacky!
• Salwar kameez is the ideal choice - one that 80 per cent of the Indian women populace prefers!
• Bright colours are out!
• Cotton sarees, well starched and neatly pinned gives an elegant and businesslike look to a woman. Highly recommended! And silk sarees are ideal for official get-togethers.