Even before the first question is asked, your outfit has already spoken volumes for you. What you wear to an interview is important because it is the first thing the interviewer notices. You want to make sure your job interview outfit starts you off on the right foot. The tips below are meant to show you how to dress for an interview and impress before you even open your mouth.
1. Hygiene is very important
Try to shower as close to the interview as possible because you will not only smell good, but you will feel good too. Do not forget to brush your teeth! Do not chew gum to cover up bad breath, it can be very distracting and unprofessional. Also, washing your hands and keep your nails clean and trimmed before the interview in preparation for the obligatory handshake.
2. Avoid powerful smells
Definitely put deodorant on, but avoid perfume or cologne. You would not want a strong scent to steal your thunder and you also would not want to cause a potential allergic reaction.
3. Stay tidy
You want to make sure your clothes fit you well before going into an interview. It is obvious if your jacket or waistband is too tight or loose. Not only that, but you will be uncomfortable the whole time which could, in turn, throw off the way you act and respond.
4. Don’t be flashy
Make sure you are not wearing any bright or distracting colors. This goes for clothing as well as nails and hair. You should also use your suit or cover up to hide any large or distracting tattoos.
5. Last minute check
If you have a dark suit, check your shoulders in case of dandruff. White specks will be especially obvious on dark clothes. Check your smile to make sure you don’t have angry resting face when meeting the interviewer.
6. Outfits
Your interview suit should include a matching jacket with pants, a dress shirt, tie, etc. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. No matter what the dress code is for the workplace, it is very unlikely you will ever have a casual job interview. Your shirt should be collared and a neutral color that does not clash with your jacket. If you’re wearing a skirt, knee length is recommended. Nothing much shorter or longer is desired for an interview. If you do decide to go with pants, make sure to not forget a belt! No matter if you wear pants or a skirt, it must match your jacket. The socks and tie that you wear should not be brightly colored or too eye-catching. In fact, darker colors are preferred. Lastly, your shoes should be leather or at least look like they are. Keep them polished and unscuffed.
Wash your hair and style it before you go to the interview. You will want to keep your hair trimmed and neat. You do not want your hair to look like you just rolled out of bed and came, but you also do not want your hair to be slicked back with excessive gel or spiked into a crazy hairdo. The hair on the back of your neck should also be trimmed and neat. If you have a beard it must be trimmed, cleaned, and well kept.
Makeup and nail polish are not mandatory, however, if you choose to wear either then keep them neutral colors. Jewelry should also be kept to a minimum with nothing too flashy. You don’t want anything too distracting, which means you should stay away from bracelets or accessories that jangle or make noise. Your shoes should be close toed, neutral colored and no more than 2.5 inches in the heel. Lastly, style your hair conservatively. This means wear a low ponytail, leave it down, or wear a barrette to prevent your hair from covering your face.
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