A great wardrobe can be one of the most important elements in making a great first impression at a job interview. Unfortunately, such details often get overlooked in the fray of things. Here’s how simplify your job search wardrobe prep.

Amid the seemingly thousands of things a job hunter needs to do to find better employment, wardrobe selection and maintenance often gets overlooked. And that’s a shame. One of the most important tasks in a job search is to control people’s perceptions of you. And clothing is a big part of that.

But getting the right wardrobe and keeping it in great shape doesn’t have to take time away from other important job search needs. Here are some easy ways to look great for job interviews without spending too much time on it.

Get help
Most people aren’t extremely fashion minded, so many of us – particularly men – don’t spend a lot of time keeping up with trends and styles. For that reason, it’s easy to blow a lot time just figuring out what you should buy. Shortcut the process by getting help. Hire a professional shopper to help you navigate the intricacies of business attire. If you can’t afford this tiny luxury, then pick a highly reputable, somewhat higher-end clothing store and ask for recommendations. Sure they might be a little biased, but they’re likely to be more knowledgeable than you are. And they probably won’t recommend things that look worse on you, even if they are a bit more expensive.

Keep it simple
Unless you’re seeking a job in the fashion industry or other glamour profession, don’t look to be a trendsetter. Stick with the surefire staples of business attire – stuff you can wear over and over again in almost any situation.

Buy far ahead of time
Start shopping the moment you decide to launch a job search, or even before if possible. This assures you’ll be able to find things in stock, within your budget, and with adequate time to have them tailored correctly.

Check your outfits once a week
Once you’re in the fray of your job search, check your wardrobe once a week. Sometimes you only get a few days notice for an interview. And you’d be surprised at how things can get messed up just from sitting in a closet – pants fall off of hangers, shirts wrinkle from other shirts being crammed next to them, etc. By checking your outfits often, you can keep your clothing ready for battle.

Set up your complete fast-change kit
Finally, those who don’t typically work in a suit find that they have to change into their interview clothes offsite, so as not to arouse suspicion when they go back to the office. For that reason, put together your own fast-change kit, a bag or case that includes all of those easy-to-forget details – socks, belt, deodorant, etc. By having such items ready, you won’t have to divert attention from other important interview preparation.