We all know the importance of a good first impression. What you wear determines a person’s perception of you just as much as your body language. Wearing the right clothes won’t guarantee you the job, but why not make it easier on yourself? Dressing for an interview can be just as stressful as preparing for it, but these key tips should help make the process easier.
Everyone has heard the old saying ‘dress for the job you want, not the job you have’, and this is useful to keep in mind. Whether you’re applying for a job that requires formal dress or not, you should always dress formally. However, formal does not mean always wear a plain and boring suit. You don’t have to dress all in black or so beige you risk blending into the walls. Don’t be afraid to throw in some colour. Smiling is crucial, and you want to dress to match that positivity. If black is your go-to colour, don’t stray from your comfort-zone but break the look up with small dashes of colour – accessories or a printed shirt, for example. You want them to remember you for all the right reasons.
Confidence is equally important. If you aren’t confident then fake it
Consider how you feel in the clothes, comfort is key. If you feel self-conscious or uncomfortable, so will your employer, so to avoid this wear something you have worn before, or buy it well in advance. This way you know it won’t itch or lead to a mishap (such as your bright pink bra glaring through your cream blouse). Scratching for 15 minutes isn’t really a great look.
Confidence is equally important. If you aren’t confident then fake it. If the idea of trying to be confident throughout your interview makes you feel nervous or flustered then dress in dark colours or wear something loose so you don’t feel restricted. Ideally this will help you to avoid the dreaded sweat patches.
Smiling is crucial, and you want to dress to match that positivity
Avoid wearing brightly coloured nail varnish, or bold over the top makeup, including false eyelashes. When dressing for an interview you should strive for a natural look even if this is the opposite of what you would usually wear. The same rule goes for tattoos and piercings: avoid showing them in the interview. This will obviously differ depending on the type of job you apply for (if it’s for a tattoo artist position then you would definitely show ‘em off) but generally it’s a good rule to follow.
Your employer will look you up and down as you enter the interview. This includes your shoes, so avoid any shoes such as high heels that you can’t walk in and make sure they’re clean. Really though, no amount of tips will guarantee you the job so my most important one is just be yourself and they’ll probably love you.
