Getting called for an interview is only round one in getting that job. Round two is being prepared to answer questions and impress the interviewers with your brains. Round three goes hand in hand with the brains; it is your attire.
How you dress for an interview could be a deal breaker if you don’t follow these simple rules:
1. Get to know the company’s culture. Before you buy that suit, take into consideration how people dress at the company you are interviewing with. Do they wear suits everyday or encourage casual wear like t-shirts and jeans? The culture of the company decides on how dressy you should be at the interview. If they don’t care about formal wear, you would seem out of place if you show up wearing a new suit with tie and shiny shoes.
In general, don’t go for something too fancy, neither too casual. Forget about wearing jeans unless you are sure that’s what they expect to see.
2. Iron and press as if it’s your wedding. You don’t want anyone to think you’re careless or sloppy and nothing is going to show that like wrinkled clothes.
3. Make sure your clothes fit. Anything too loose or too tight will embarrass you and give a wrong impression of lousiness and carelessness.
4. If you’re a girl, don’t over-accessorize or wear jewelry that is too flashy. If you’re a boy, don’t wear jewelry altogether.
5. Dress according to the season. You will look weird if you are wearing a sleeveless shirt in winter, not to mention you’ll be showing too much skin. Same thing applies to heavy clothes in summer.
6. Avoid wearing perfume or aftershave. Some people are allergic and others simply won’t appreciate what you’re wearing. Avoid it altogether and stick to a nice refreshing shower gel.
7-. Make sure your hair is nicely done. A good haircut will make you look well groomed while a bad one spells disaster. Don’t get a haircut right before your interview, make it at least one week before to allow your hair to grow should something go wrong.
8. If you’re a man, make sure you shave.
9. If you’re a woman, don’t wear anything that is too racy or too revealing. Always keep your skin covered as much as possible and taking into consideration the season.
10. As a rule of thumb; solid colors suit you. They suit everyone! Stay away from prints or clothes that have too much going on.
11. If you’re a woman, wear simple make up that makes you look natural and professional. A little bit of make up will give you a polished look and shows your interest while zero make up might make you appear careless.
Congratulations on being called for an interview! Don’t ruin your chances by showing up wearing what you picked and poorly coordinated from your closet.
