Dress for Success: How To Dress Up For A Job Interview
A month ago, I received a call for a job interview. I wanted it so bad I immediately looked in my closet to plan what I was going to wear. But lo and behold - I can’t find any appropriate clothes to wear! I had to shop for formal clothes on the eve of my interview and it wasn’t exactly therapeutic, because I was so anxious. Long story short, I got the job and learned some valuable lessons along the way regarding dressing for success. If you think that you fail at life for not knowing these scary adult things, find solace in the fact that you are not alone. Check out some of the tips below, they were really helpful to me.
Know The Industry
This may probably be the most important for the guidelines of dressing up for an interview. Knowing the industry automatically gives you an idea of the nature of the job, as well as the culture. This way, you will be guided on how to dress up accordingly. Basically, you won’t come to a fashion house dressed up in your drab garb or in a construction firm in your sky-high heels and sheer blouse. Apart from that, doing your research will also prepare you for the interview itself, as I'm pretty sure you’ll come across facts about the company and the job that you’ll be interviewing for.
Don’t Lose Your Personality
Job interviews are done to assess the applicant’s capabilities in the short amount of time in the interview, so you aren’t sure if it is enough for them to know that you are perfect for the job. No matter how cliche this might seem, first impressions always last and we immediately pass judgment on what we see. There’s no better way to let them see that you’re up for the job by the way you dress. Wearing the generic black suit-white button down is okay, but it wouldn’t hurt if you add some of your personality in there.
Accessories are a smart choice by playing up your outfit, without going overboard. This love heart charm pendant with matching love heart stud earrings is a nice dainty contrast to a structured blazer. If you want to wear the thick chain that you’ve recently purchased, it’s best to use it in another occasion. Wearing flashy jewellery can be distracting to your interviewer. We want to stand out but, not in the wrong way.
You can also opt to bring a satchel or a nice handbag. It’s alright not to wear black shoes but avoid loud colours. Nude, brown and/or two-tone pumps are great alternatives. Also, keep the heel height modest. As a general rule, anything above 3 inches should be left at home.
Hygiene Is Important
If there’s one thing to remember apart from choosing the right clothes, it is good hygiene. You will not do your clothes justice if they are wrinkled or stained. Your hair should also be neatly styled. Put it in a ponytail or a low bun so it will be away from your face. Wear makeup that is appropriate for the industry you are interviewing for but generally, light makeup is a good idea. Also, avoid wearing overpowering scents since most of the time, an interview is done in a close room. We don’t want to suffocate our interviewers, do we?
Be Confident
We can’t help but become anxious during job interviews, but try to relax as much as possible and bring out that confidence in you. Dressing up is not just about the clothes, but it’s how you carry yourself which is why being confident is very important. I always tell myself that if I believe in myself enough, other people will too. However, don't get too over-confident. It's a deal breaker and most, if not all employers, get turned off with that attitude. With the preparations that you've done, pretty sure that you’ll bag the job. If you still feel the nerves, practice deep breathing prior to being called for your turn. It really helps. Now smile, you got this!
For more tips, here's an infographic by collegeatlas.org with statistics to back them up!
