Dress to Impress in Your Next Job Interview

Interview AttireYour attire is an important element of any job interview. Since you are facing your prospective employer, you have to create a positive impression from the get-go. Before you say anything, the interviewer will already be judging you based on what you’re wearing.

 

Even if the interviewer is wearing a loose Hawaiian polo shirt, it’s important to dress formally since you are still considered as an applicant. Remember, you are not an employee yet. Dressing appropriately means you are paying respect to the person who is conducting the interview.

If you are applying for a job related to business, it’s always nice to dress up in a suit. You usually won’t go wrong wearing a suit for an interview. When unsure, look for conservative outfits that have a formal feel to them. You can look appropriately formal while being trendy at the same time.

Dress Code for Men

If you plan on wearing a business suit, choose those that have darker colors to look chic and elegant. Darker colors always make a person look sharp and professional.

Wearing a white dress shirt is your simplest and best option. Remember, you still have to pick a tie that won’t look like a mess of colors.

Choose a belt of darker color that will look sensible with your suit and shoes. Don’t wear something too bold, as this can distract the interviewer.

As for the shoes, wear something black or dark brown together with dark socks. It’s better to wear plain socks without prints to look more formal.

Simply wearing a wedding ring and a watch is enough jewelry for men. Avoid unnecessary rings that can affect the professional theme of your look.

Don’t let your hair look terribly messy; it’s a good idea to have it trimmed and combed. Groom your beard, goatee or mustache for a clean look.

To make sure you have everything with you, bring a portfolio or briefcase that will make you look professional. Leave funky key chains at home.

Don’t forget to trim your nails and make sure they’re clean. Go light on the aftershave, and you’re all set.

Dress Code for Women

Wear pantsuits and blazers that are dark in color. You can also choose a skirt suit, with the skirt hem not too far above the knee. You don’t want to look all flirty, since this is a serious and formal job interview.

Choose a blouse that is conservative to match your pants or skirt. Make sure the shirt isn’t too tight and doesn’t show your cleavage.

Keep it professional by wearing a pair of formal shoes that go together with your outfit. Don’t wear stilettos, open toes or shoes of shocking colors.

For a job interview, pearls are always the best piece of jewelry a woman can wear. They have a conservative look, appealing to most people in most situations. Choose one or two and do not over-accessorize. Keep the earrings simple and avoid flashy or dangly jewelery on your ears, as well as multiple piercings.

Be sure that your hair goes with your outfit. Keep it simple and elegant for a classy yet professional look. Keep it clean and neat at all times. You might want to dye the roots if you color your hair.

Choose simple makeup that looks almost natural. If you think the weather is too hot, use makeup that won’t keep your face shining in oil all day long. Keep your nails manicured in nude tones.

Keep all the things that you’ll need in a briefcase or portfolio that has a sophisticated feel to it.

By following these simple guidelines, creating the right first impression shouldn’t be too difficult. Remember not to chew gum during the interview, and turn off your smartphone and iPod to avoid interruption. If you have tattoos, cover them up. Prepare your outfit the night before the interview, and try it on to see if you’re comfortable in it. Practicing the interview questions in the actual outfit can give you a sense of confidence when the time comes for the real thing.

Enjoy your new look—and hopefully, your new job!

Read 6924 times Last modified on Wednesday, 09 March 2016 14:18
Alan Carniol

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 80,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.