Many of our sources say nails are important to your interview look -- with chipped polish being the big no no. "I wouldn't refuse to hire someone outstanding for [having chipped nails], but if I were deciding between two equally qualified candidates, the chipped polish would be a deal breaker. It sends the message that the candidate doesn't put a lot of thought into her presentation and what's appropriate," says a website editor.

Another agrees saying, "chipped nails or runny mascara shows me you aren't a person with good attention to detail. Perhaps also that you aren't a person who thinks two steps ahead, and that's not good."

Tip: "To play it safe" when it comes to your nails, the editor recommends wearing a clear coat or a sheer soft pink hue. This way, if you do happen to chip your nails on the way to your interview (it happens!), the chips will be much less noticeable. Check out this video tutorial to give yourself a quick at-home manicure.

One hiring manager says she was eight months pregnant when interviewing an applicant and she recalls, "[The candidate] looked professional, but as soon as she sat down in my office, she asked me if I was planning on breast-feeding my baby. Another candidate who interviewed really well blew it at the end -- when I got up to walk her to the reception area, and she gave me a hug. Awkward!"

Tip: Being "professional" doesn't just refer to clothes. The interviewer is not your friend -- even if she's expecting. Keep the conversation relevant to the reason you're there and show that you don't get distracted from your main objective.

"Once there was a girl that came in with rings on almost every finger, and she kept talking with her hands. 'Clink, clank, clack.' It was so distracting, I wasn't focused on what was coming out of her mouth, but rather the awful song her rings were playing," says a human resources specialist.

Tip: "Your appearance is my first impression, so make it a good one," says the human resources specialist. This doesn't mean you should put all your newest accessories on display, so keep the trendy pieces for a night out. You don't have to be void of style, but aim to wear just one stand out accessory like a statement necklace or bold earrings.

A website editor recalls interviewing a few candidates that "looked fine from the waist up, but then � I spotted their feet on the way out, and they either had really beat up-looking toes or old worn off, chipped polish." That's why "your best bet is to wear closed-toe shoes, so you don't even have to think about it. Toes can be funny things; people's feet aren't the most attractive. You would think 'who on earth would notice my toes,' but the one time you decide to let the grooming slide, your interviewer will look down when handing you your validated parking ticket and catch a glimpse of your toes and think, 'yikes.'" You don't want that.

Tip: Don't blow your chances at the last minute with something as small as grooming your toenails. Bottom line, "If your toes are showing in open-toed shoes, be sure they're well manicured," says a hiring manager. Get these tips to give yourself the best at-home pedicure.

"The place where I work is trying to be more environmental by doing interviews through video conferencing. One of the candidates I interviewed was dressed very casually and had her hair pulled back into a messy ponytail, flyaways and all. It just looked like she didn't take the interview seriously enough to dress up for it, and it gave me a bad impression of her," says a hiring manager.

Tip: Make sure your hair is clean and neat. A website editor advises, "If your hair is in need of a cut, or just isn't working, pull it back in a ponytail so you don't have to fidget with it." Try this how-to for a sleek interview-worthy pony:

Step 1: Apply an anti-frizz product (try Paul Labrecque Curly Style, $24) to your hair, whether it's straight or curly.
Step 2: If your hair is straight, blow dry it with a round or paddle brush to make it extra smooth. If your hair is curly, apply a curl-enhancing gel or cream (like Bumble and bumble Curl Conscious Defining Cr�me, $27) and either let hair air dry or blow dry with a diffuser attachment.
Step 3: Secure hair into a ponytail. It doesn't have to be super tight, but you don't want loose strands falling out, either.
Step 4: For an extra-polished finish, take a small section of hair and wrap it around your hair elastic neatly, then bobby pin the ends under the pony.
Step 5: Run a smoothing product or shine serum over your hair if you have any remaining frizz or flyaways.