The most important part of an interview is the beginning of it. That is, the moment we come in contact with the interviewer. How long does it mean? 30 seconds. Studies show that an experienced interviewer knows from the first 30 seconds whether the person in front of him has a chance of employment or not. Quick, isn’t it? Of course, a much better impression will be at the end of the discussion, but it is very important to “start right”.
Tips: the first seconds of the interview matter the most. The way we look at the interview is very important. The color and style of our clothes have the fastest and strongest impact.
So, we will talk about what to wear for a job interview. The clothes we choose, as well as the body language send the first non-verbal messages to the interlocutor. Clothing and appearance are forms of communication.
In a society where we are increasingly moving towards a less and less formal work culture, sometimes it is difficult to know what to wear when going to an interview. While some fields still expect those who come to interviews to present themselves in formal business attire, others have a more casual approach to the recruitment process. In the following, we will discuss some “rules” in terms of outfits for interviews and we will try to explain in detail why the clothes you wear to a meeting with a potential employer remain as important as ever.
It is a statement that we have heard before almost every important meeting and, most certainly, it is offered to us as advice (maybe even a warning) when we want to impress the person we are going to meet. In the case of a job interview, you can be sure that the first impression matters (one that, incidentally, may be the only opportunity to meet with the employer). So pay attention to every detail that builds your image.
The most important part of an interview is its beginning. Of course, a much better defined impression will be at the end of the discussion, but it is very important to “start with the right”. How we look at the interview is very important. The color and style of our clothes have the fastest and strongest impact. The clothes we choose, as well as our body language, convey the first non-verbal messages to the interlocutor. Clothing and appearance are forms of communication.
Choosing clothes is more complicated than it used to be, due to the multitude of existing clothing pieces, the interpretation of styles and, of course, each person’s perception of trends.
Tips: if you want to make a good first impression, pay attention to your outfit. It is important to understand the organizational culture, the way of working, the atmosphere of the office. The description of the position you are applying for. Before entering the interview, to ensure that the chosen outfit is appropriate. It is very important to “be from the landscape”.
Different industries have different expectations of how candidates and employees should dress. The clothing choices of those already employed are not necessarily relevant in the case of interviews.
Candidates dressed more business-like will usually make a much better impression than candidates dressed in jeans and sneakers.
The way you choose to present yourself first of all shows self-respect, and then respect for the company and the interviewer. You may not need to dress like this every day, but for an interview. You will be taken seriously when you present yourself in a professional manner.
Tips: When in doubt whether an outfit is too elegant or too casual, choose the one that seems more elegant to you.
First impressions matter – here is a principle that applies very often in both personal and professional spheres. Moreover, the first impression left by the candidates who show up for a job interview can become the essential criterion on the basis of which the final decision will be made. The way they communicate, their attitude, their way of thinking – these are just a few aspects that any employer with a well-trained eye will notice and always take into account. Equally important, however, is the outfit, and this is also proven from a statistical point of view: over 50% of the first impressions that employers make about candidates are determined by their outfit on the day of the interview. In addition, more than 60% of employers who are forced to choose between two similar candidates admit to going for the person who has the appropriate attire.
Many, if not most HR managers and people believe that if a person dresses appropriately for a job, it fits. Although appearances are misleading, unfortunately, people still place a high value on first impressions and if you want to get a corporate job. Or in a company whose dress code is very strict. Surely, you need to make sure you look right from the interview.
A woman who comes to the job interview in a too casual outfit can be perceived as if her relaxed attitude translates into the attitude at work. It does not necessarily mean that you look frivolous if you are not dressed in four pins. But you risk being perceived as a woman who is too relaxed, lazy or too sensual for a serious job. Today’s business attire for women can mean that you are judged harshly from the minute you step into the interview office. And what you say may be overshadowed by an inappropriate attire.
Before going to the job interview, try to find out if the host company has a dress code that must be respected by employees. To find out these details, you can access the company’s website or a company page on social networks, where photos of different employees can be found. For example, if the outfit you find is an official one, predominant in certain colors. You will probably make a good impression if you try to adapt in this regard.
How not to dress for the job interview:
– Transparent shirts – totally excluded without a doubt. Under any shirt, wear leather-colored underwear. The rest, including the white underwear, are visible and it’s not at all clear what you meant by that.
– Sandals with socks – And not just sandals, not just socks. In general, open-toed shoes do not look very good for a job interview, even if it is summer. Everyone understands that it is very hot, but still it creates an impression of superficiality. Especially if sunlight is reflected on the red nail polish on your toenails. Especially for men. Girls, even the most beautiful sandals should open the foot to a minimum. Better choose shoes, ballerinas or any other summer shoes but with a closed toe
– Neckline – If there is no other way to get this job – here we go, of course, but maybe still without? All these blouses in which the last button subtly indicates the circumstances, all these blouses with deep necklines. All these dresses that look more like skirts, we beg you: leave them at home. At the job interview you need to look elegant but not provocative. What if the recruiter is a woman? She certainly won’t appreciate it, but if she’s also a director, you probably won’t appreciate it either.
Interview outfits for women:
To go safe, choose to dress in something classic.
# A pair of trousers elegant enough, dark in color and a shirt, not necessarily white. Together with a pair of shoes with a medium heel can be the perfect outfit for a good first impression;
# You can choose a classic suit, consisting of pants or a knee-length skirt, a shirt and a jacket;
# Choose wrinkle-free shirts to prove that you are an attentive and caring woman.
If you choose a shirt that can be wrinkled easily, you can get to the interview with a different look than the one you had at home. This even if you made sure before you left that your outfit is perfect.
• Simple, delicate and quality accessories will bring a little shine to your image.
• The perfect casual dresses for an office day can give you a special elegance.
As stylistic advice, I recommend the following: – maintains the balance of forms. Try not to put too much emphasis on either the shoulders or the hips, because you will spoil the hourglass image and steal your femininity. When you add volume, you have to do it proportionally. – highlights the waist! Either through the cut of the clothes, through the colors you choose, or through the accessories you wear, highlight your narrow waist! It is the maximum potential of your femininity! – keep your distance. It is a play on words that refers to the size of clothes. As much as possible, avoid wearing clothes that are too tight. An hourglass is by definition sexy, and if you add clothes with the same leitmotif, the message becomes too obvious.
How to choose the right outfit
Regardless of the job you applied for, whether it involves office work, in the field, remote or other work environments, it is important that your outfit is tasteful. Your outfit must be impeccable, as the first eye contact is impactful. Here are some tips that can help you choose the right outfit for the job interview:
1. Find out about the company’s dress code Before going to the job interview, try to find out if the host company has a dress code that must be respected by the employees. To find out these details, you can access the company website or a company page in social networks, where photos of different employees can be found. For example, if the outfit you find is an office one, predominant in certain colors, you will probably make a good impression if you try to adapt in this sense.
2. Sort by industry, company or location There is no ideal outfit that can be called defining for a successful job interview. The existence of various industries also imposes the emergence of different expectations regarding how company employees or candidates should dress. Therefore, interview attire may vary by company, industry or location. For example, a job in the legal field would prefer an elegant office outfit and would not appreciate casual clothing, while an advertising agency, for example, would not resonate with overly formal attire. As for the location, you have to consider this aspect as well. In most cases, companies choose to interview their candidates at the company’s headquarters. However, there are also companies that arrange interviews or meetings with potential future colleagues after the telephone interview step in locations other than the company headquarters, such as public premises. And in this situation, your outfit should be adapted according to the context. The attire you choose for your on-site interview may be too formal for an interview set in a public place.
3. Proper measurements and clean clothes are essential Even if the trend is increasingly imposing outfits represented by clothes that are a few sizes larger, and even if you have a favorite shirt that is a little too fitted, it would be preferable for your interview day clothes to fit your size. The idea is to be decently dressed, clean and well-groomed. The interview is not the right place and time to stand out with clothes that you can’t help but notice, such as eccentric, out-of-the-ordinary ones.
4. Keep up appearances By choosing accessories that look extremely valuable, you may give the false impression that you don’t need the job you applied for (more likely than impress) and end up failing the interview. Save your most expensive watch or valuable cuff-links for after the job interview.
A famous study says that 5% of hiring decisions is made in the first minute of the interview, and about 30% in the first five minutes. The results of the study confirm that the first impression matters. And by presenting yourself in a proper outfit you can increase your chances of success.
