“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression,” Coco Chanel once said, and it’s impossible not to agree with her, because when you come to an interview, it will be very important for you to make a good impression. First of all, the employer evaluates your appearance, and then during the conversation your professional skills. It is unlikely that you will be able to make a good impression if you are wearing:
- Stretched clothes
- Clothes with stains and pilling
- Clothes are not the right size, this may also apply to oversized style
- Clothes made from transparent fabrics
- Mini length clothes
And so, we understand what you should not wear, but what then should you wear in order to make a good impression and the coveted position will go to you. To begin with, I would advise you to find out if the company has a strict dress code and then act depending on the situation. If there is a dress code, then accordingly you adhere to these rules, but if not, then you can dress more variably, using a wider selection of styles and colors.
What to wear to an interview
23 Feb 2011 All companies can be divided into three types in relation to the dress code of their employees. The first category is companies with a free clothing style, where you can come to work in any clothes. These companies mainly include IT companies, advertising studios, and small companies of various profiles.
The second category is companies that adhere to an official style of clothing, but do not have a strictly prescribed dress code. As a rule, these are service companies such as recruitment agencies, law firms and others. Such companies often make Friday a free style day, when it is acceptable to wear jeans and a casual style.
The third category is companies with a strict dress code, which may contain wardrobe regulations for employees. Such companies include banks, large enterprises in various industries, and insurance companies.
Based on the category of the company you want to work for, you need to decide how best to dress for an interview.
An interview is an important moment in the job search, and appearance plays an important role. And although there is a lot of information about what a woman should wear to an interview, many applicants still make mistakes when choosing their image for an interview. Let's consider what is best for a woman to wear in order to make the right impression on the employer.
Appearance at an interview
Attire for a job interview should be elegant, simple and comfortable. Most experts agree that a business suit or a formal sheath dress is the most preferred attire for an interview. Recruiters advise dressing appropriately for the potential position and salary. Also try to find out in advance, for example, through social networks, what style the company follows; it is also acceptable to ask such a question to the recruiter during a preliminary interview.
You should not wear clothes for an interview with an employer that contain various cutouts and necklines, transparent materials, ruffles and frills, bright prints and animalistic designs. It is not recommended to wear flashy makeup or use a large amount of jewelry.
It is also worth paying attention to accessories: business card holder, bag, pens, etc. It is important for managers that the accessories are good, but not flashy luxury. The right accessories will complete your look.
It is also useful for any girl to remember that clothes should be appropriate for the season. At the same time, in summer and spring it is preferable to choose closed shoes instead of sandals, and do not forget about the need to wear stockings. In winter, you should exclude sweaters and give preference to formal dresses or a business suit made of fine wool.
And, of course, all clothing should be neat and tidy. The advice is banal, but don’t forget to bring a clothes brush or a shoe sponge with you, so you can quickly clean yourself up before the interview.
Formal appearance for an interview
To make it easier for you to decide what you should wear to an interview, we have compiled a small algorithm for choosing an image when applying for a job.
Color. It is better to give preference to blue and gray colors. This color scheme evokes associations with professionalism. Gray is an elegant color and is associated with calm, while blue gives authoritarianism, which is why politicians love it so much.
Style. Carefully evaluate your figure. The right business suit will highlight your figure. Skirt or trousers is up to you, but remember that the ideal skirt length is slightly below the knees.
Form. The shape of the skirt is preferably straight or pencil, classic trousers with an arrow, and a sheath dress. Strive to combine your own comfort with how you want to look at an interview.
Shoes. Give preference to shoes with medium heels. Your gait should be confident and free in it. The color of the shoes should match the overall look.
Decorations. With the help of jewelry you can correctly place accents. A single ring or medium-sized earrings will add understated elegance to your look.
Hairstyle. Consult your hairstylist about the hairstyle you will wear to work. Try not to wear your hair loose, but rather collect it in a bun or ponytail. Short haircuts should also be neat.
It is up to you to decide in what form to appear before the employer. We recommend that even at the stage of starting your job search, you decide on the format of the company you want to work for, because if compliance with clothing standards is categorically unacceptable for you, then you should pay attention to companies with a free style.
Jeans, jumper and jacket
This option is suitable for an interview where there is no dress code and you are not applying for a leadership position. Perhaps these are more creative professions. Then you can dress like this, but you shouldn’t wear ripped jeans that are too tight with decoration, it’s better to stick to the classic version of straight jeans (blue, black, beige), and also choose a jumper in muted colors, without prints, embroideries or designs.
If it’s a cold season, you should wear a jacket, trench coat or coat over it. It is best to take a hard-shaped bag. Accessories choose medium sizes, basic options. Shoes – options such as pumps, pumps, ankle boots if you can handle heels well, and for those who have problems with heels, ballet flats, loafers, derby boots, Chelsea boots, boots are suitable.
Follow these simple recommendations, and the job is practically in your pocket. After all, choosing the right clothes for an interview is already 50 percent of success.
Author: stylist Valeria Nikulchina
Nice but uncomfortable clothes
Is the dress too tight? Are your shoes too tight? No matter how presentable you want to look, if you are not comfortable in the most representative clothes in your wardrobe, then it is better to abandon this option. Thinking about how beautiful shoes rub your heels, you will not be able to concentrate on the conversation with the HR manager. Therefore, it is better to choose something simpler.
Too light colors
This is a matter of caution. If you are not comfortable with take-out coffee or you have often been doused with refreshing drops of puddles near the roadway, then we recommend giving preference to dark tones, on which stains will be less noticeable.
Too fashionable
Experts advise choosing neutral tones of clothing and moderate makeup. After all, you still want the employer to remember your confidence and professional characteristics.
Jeans and T-shirts
Even if the company has zero tolerance for casual clothing, including flip-flops, still try to compromise. Wear dark jeans, sneakers and a sweatshirt or something similar to the interview.
Sweatpants and other sportswear
It is worth recognizing that sportswear has become very fashionable and has become casual. But sweatpants and a tracksuit are still considered an inappropriate combination for an interview.
Fancy makeup or jewelry
If you find out that a man will be interviewing you, do not try to impress him as much as possible. A good specialist will easily notice your elegance without unnecessary emphasizing its presence.
Clumsy patterns and acidic colors
Experts suggest giving preference to calm colors - black, gray, beige, brown and the like.
Sandals
If you think that shoes like oxfords or brogues would be inappropriate for an interview at a company, then you shouldn’t go to extremes. Choose discreet sneakers or sneakers, but not running ones.
Too bright or black ties
The optimal colors for this accessory are red or gray.
According to experts, black ties are only worn for tragic events.
Headphones or phone
Before entering the interview room, put your headphones or phone in your bag or pocket. The employer will be annoyed if you have unnecessary accessories hanging and dangling around your neck or if you fiddle with your phone in your hands.
Strong perfume aroma
Don't overdo it with cologne or eau de toilette. Your interlocutor may feel uncomfortable due to the strong aroma of perfume.
Large number of piercings
If you are not sure about the corporate sentiments of the company, how conservative they are, then it is better to refuse piercings for the duration of the interview.
How to dress in the heat?
What to wear to an interview in the summer? The question is quite difficult. For an interview, it is recommended to choose a suit made of cotton in light shades of blue or gray. Avoid black clothing, which looks out of place in summer.
Do not use linen fabrics, they tend to form wrinkled folds, which will have a bad effect on your appearance.
Choose a shirt that complements the suit; a white shirt is always appropriate. We also recommend wearing classic shoes to match your suit and a minimum of jewelry for an interview in the summer.
The office where the interview is taking place is most likely air-conditioned. Therefore, a jacket will come in handy even if the weather is hot. If you suffer from excessive sweating, use disposable underarm inserts that can be attached to your shirt to protect your clothing from sweat, odor and stains.
Freshen up your short hair a few days before the interview. On long hair, trim split ends for a neat look, and pull hair away from your face and neck into an easy updo.
When it's hot, when you start to sweat, the smell of the perfume intensifies. Do not overdo it with perfume, sometimes it can cause allergies in those who talk to you. For women, a couple of drops on the wrists and behind the earlobes is enough; for men, it is enough to refresh their face with cologne after shaving.
Business suit or jeans?
Undoubtedly, a business suit is considered the most preferable clothing option for an interview. But there are several nuances here. A girl will look more feminine if she chooses a set consisting of a long-sleeved shirt and a medium-length skirt. You should not wear trousers to an interview, because... a trouser suit will emphasize excessive self-confidence. And applicants usually want to see women with a soft and flexible character in their ranks. As for the jacket, there are no strict rules, and everything rather depends on where exactly you are going to get a job. An elegant light-colored blouse can be a good replacement for a jacket. And, of course, it would be completely inappropriate to come to an interview in jeans. The only exception may be the case when you go to get a job in some institution with a creative focus, for example, a design studio or a photography studio.
Strict and elegant
For most interviews, business casual attire is appropriate.
A person in a suit is subconsciously associated with such qualities as hard work, responsibility, determination, and seriousness. The employer will like such an employee. But you don't have to settle for standard black trousers or a skirt and a white blouse. Today you can create a more interesting combination that will still look strict. A white shirt can be replaced with beige, pistachio, blue, lavender, light pink. Pants or a skirt can be brown, dark blue, gray, or plaid. Instead of a jacket, you can wear a jacket. The main thing is that things are clean, ironed and fit you perfectly.
