How to dress for a Job Interview
Hurray! You got the invitation to a job interview. Now you are wondering what you should wear on that occasion. Often it depends for what type of job and industry you are applying for. While certain companies (e.g. banks, legal companies, etc.) prefer a more conservative dress code, other companies (e.g. in the telecommunication, fashion, marketing industry) take a bit more casual approach when it comes to corporate attire.
Choosing the right attire for a job interview, seems to be a tricky task for some job candidates considering the continuous changing environments (e.g. with open space offices) and many upcoming start-up companies. When it comes to dress code there are five different styles: business formal, business professional, business casual, small business casual and creative.
Try to find out more about the corporate dress code prior to your job interview. You can:
# Call up the company directly and ask them,
# Look at corporate pictures on the internet, e.g. corporate website, facebook page etc.,
# Observe yourself how employees are turning up at the workplace (before or after work) and eventually check out the company’s reception area on a typical working day.
What is now considered appropriate and what should possibly be avoided when answering the question ‘How to dress for a job interview?’ As mentioned previously, it often depends on the industry and the type of job. I explain now in more detail the “business formal” attire.
- Women:
Recommended:
# A pant suit (black, grey or navy blue).
# A skirt suit with a white or neutral blouse, jacket and skirt (not too short and not too long!). In most situations wearing a jacket is better than wearing a pullover).
# It would be advisable to wear stockings.
# Shoes should possibly always be dark (black, dark blue, dark grey or brown), low high heels, made of genuine leather and polished.
To avoid:
# Inappropriate and seductive clothes (cut out, transparent and too tight dresses). Initially you might get some attention with such an approach, but you will not increase your chances for the job!.
# Strong perfume and excessive make up.
# Striking jewellery.
# Leggins, jeans, t-shirts.
# Bare feet.
# Bringing along a handbag and briefcase (decide just for one item).
- Men:
Recommended:
# A conservative plain men’s suit with (ironed!) shirt and a classic tie (patterned or striped). Your tie should suit your shirt and jacket and should fit properly.
# Your shoes should be dark (brown or black) and polished. Shoes made of genuine leather would be ideal.
To avoid:
# Knitted shirts with wild patterns.
# Ties with cartoon characters.
# Wearing suspenders and belt at the same time.
# Boots, sandals or trainers with short, white socks. You should not wear any worn out shoes and instead have a pair that colour-wise matches nicely the suit, which means no brown shoes with a black or blue suit.
Make sure that your business attire is always clean, polished and presentable. Don’t forget that your clothes are an important part of your charisma. You rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. Wearing the right outfit at the job interview gives you a further opportunity to show your professionalism! You will realise that the more professionally you dress, the more competent and serious people will perceive you.
(Original source of my article: https://www.talentese.com/how-to-dress-for-a-job-interview/)
