Do’s and Don’ts Dressing for An Interview
The first impression counts
Jobs are hard to find and interviews
are part of the process whether you like it or not. Once your CV has
made an impression, it is now your turn to prove that beyond your CV,
there is more to offer, through an interview. While dressing for an
interview, consider what impression you give, as this sets one of the
standards upon which you will be judged. Interviewers make a judgement within the first five minutes of meeting you; make a good impression.
The interview is the point where
prospective employers get to know you as a person and as such, it is
important to make a lasting impression from how you conduct yourself
through your appearance, to how you answer questions. Remember, first
impressions matter so make your first impression count by dressing up
for the occasion.
Here are a few tips on how to dress to ace the interview:
- Grooming
Good grooming is at the centre of how
you appear at any event and it sets the tone for how you will be
addressed. Grooming starts from the head, your hair, to the toe, your
shoes, and when appropriately done, gives an interviewee confidence and
comfort to focus on impressing the interviewers with his/ her
capabilities.
Men
Make sure you get a neat hair cut.
This makes you look serious and ready for the job. If you like to wear
your hair long, then comb it neatly. Most interviewers will not even pay
attention to the length of your hair as long as it is neatly in place.
You should also ensure that you shave your facial hair neatly and avoid
fancy styles.
By all means, ensure that your nails
are neat and short, gentlemen. Dirty nails communicate poor grooming and
they are a turn-off.
Women
Ladies, make sure you visit the salon a
day or 2 before your big day. You do not want to show up at an
interview with a weave that looks like a bird’s nest or braids that have
been on that head for 6 months. Additionally, tone down on the hair
colour. Green, red or yellow braids may look good on the streets but a
prospective interviewer will not take you seriously with a rainbow on
your head. Additionally, avoid gaudy makeup as this not only tends to
distract the interviewer, but it also makes you look very
unprofessional.
It is advisable to have neat nails
whether short or long. If you prefer long nails, make sure that they are
not too long. If you must have nail polish, make sure it is not chipped
and untidy. No matter how fashion-conscious you consider yourself to
be, keep the colour of your nail polish very subtle on your interview
day. After understanding the culture of the workplace, you can resume
your normal nail polish colours and patterns. Garish colours are a
distraction in interviews and they may send the wrong message to the
interviewers. You wouldn’t like that to happen, would you?
- The dress code
It does not matter what the
organisation’s culture is, a full suit communicates business. If you are
appearing for your first interview, it is important to show that you
mean business, through an appropriate dress code. You can tone down
during consecutive interviews but first impressions should leave a mark.
So wear a well-fitting suit that is comfortable and neat. While at it,
choose dark coloured suits. Look at the CIA for example, it focuses on
dark suits as they show and mean business. Avoid loud colours at all
costs as they are distracting. Flashy colours will make you look like a
clown. No one will take you seriously at best, and no one will want to
offer you a job, at worst.
Your dress code should then be topped
up with a mild perfume, cologne or aftershave. Do not wear a loud
perfume as it might fill the room and suffocate the interviewer or cause
an allergic reaction. An appropriate dress code communicates respect
for the job and your potential employer.
Men
If it is a hot day, you can remove
your coat as it is only natural to be overwhelmed by the heat if you are
overdressed. This then means that you must have a clean shirt on. If it
is white, it should not be white with a shade of brown. Insist on a
white, cream, or light blue shirt. Make sure that the collar is not
tattered. Additionally, wear a single coloured shirt. Avoid checked
shirts. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeved shirt. Make sure you
also wear a mild coloured tie to complement your suit. Bright coloured
ties are distracting.
Women
For the ladies, you can wear a trouser
or skirt suit but avoid extremely short skirts or tight clothing. These
are likely to distract the interviewers and be uncomfortable to you. If
the interview is scheduled on a hot day, you can remove your coat as it
is only natural to be uncomfortable if you are feeling too hot and
sweating.
Insist on a white, cream, pink or
light blue blouse. Additionally, wear a single coloured blouse. Do not
wear a checked blouse or a flowery dress. The idea is to have a powerful
corporate image.
- Footwear
Shoes set the tone for your gait. If
you wear uncomfortable shoes, your walking style changes and as you walk
into a room with a panel of prospective employers, you will shift their
attention to how you walk as compared to how you talk.
Men
Wear dark-coloured, official shoes
that fit comfortably. Your socks should also be dark coloured and clean.
Smelly socks will get you funny looks and the interviewers will want to
have you out of the room within the shortest time possible. That might
not be long enough to impress them with your skills and that is how you
might miss out on a good opportunity.
Your shoes should also be sparkling and smart. Do not compromise. If
you have never brushed your shoes, pass by the shoe shiner’s booth
because this is the day where you should go all out and shine;
literally.
Women
Wear medium to low heeled official shoes. 6-inch heels are sexy on a night out but you do not want to gully creep
into the interview room or tumble down with all your elegance if you
slip on the floor. Ensure that your shoes give you the right posture as
that boosts your confidence and we all know that you need all the
confidence you can get at an interview. Ensure that you wear closed,
dark coloured shoes. Open, brightly coloured shoes do not give a strong
corporate image, which is what you should project when going for an
interview.
- Jewellery and Accessories
When going for an interview, use
jewellery as sparingly as possible. This means that you should have as
little jewellery on you as possible. If you have tattoos, ensure that
they are well-covered as they tend to attract unnecessary attention and
some people may actually judge you harshly because of having tattoos.
Men
If you like having jewellery on, avoid
being too decorated with studs, chains and bracelets on. Less is more
when it comes to jewellery. Showing up for an interview while looking
like a rapper will not get you the right kind of attention.
Additionally, it is always good to have a belt that comfortably holds
your pants in place. Do not wear sagging pants. Ensure that the belt is
dark coloured and complements your suit.
Women
For the ladies, do not wear dangling
earrings. If you have multiple earring holes, wear only one pair of
earrings. And please do not show up for an interview with arms full of
bracelets. A hand full of jingling bracelets makes noise and causes
distraction especially when you are trying to explain a point using hand
gestures. Your hair should be held in place with subtle accessories and
not be full of hair pins and clips which make you look like a Christmas
tree.
Make sure you give a powerful,
corporate image by carrying a handbag that complements your outfit. The
idea is to have a coordinated look that communicates business.
For both ladies and gentlemen, carry
your documents in a folder or briefcase for purposes of being organised.
Do not put them in a paper bag as they can get damaged and you will not
look serious. Ensure that the briefcase or folder is dark coloured so
that it complements your outfit.
In conclusion, how you dress usually, determines how you will be
addressed. Dress well for an interview and you will most likely have
ticked the first box on the requirements set out by the interviewers.
Dress to win.
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