JOB INTERVIEW Success – What to Wear? (Practical Tips)

You have a job interview, don’t waste the opportunity. Success requires you to do everything you can to be the best you can – better than your competition. Indeed what you wear to a job interview is the difference between success and failure.

The importance of professional presentation

As soon as the interviewer sees you they form an impression of who they think you are. This is because the clothing we wear is a form of non-verbal communication which provides a first impression.

To demonstrate this here’s an example, imagine interviews are being held at a primary school for a teaching role, there are two interviewees that day.

The two candidates have the same qualifications and experience, but what they wear is in sharp contrast. It may only be clothing, but it’s obvious which one would be taken seriously, hence, candidate two would get the job.

What is the successful candidate’s outfit communicating?

Further to this the successful candidates outfit is communicating that they:

• Really want the job and take the opportunity seriously.
• Are prepared to fit in with the school culture, dress code and ethos.
• Have respect for themselves and the interviewers.
• Can be organised and understand what is expected of them.
• Have the ability to look professional.

You say a lot about yourself by the way you’re presented, meaning the outcome of an interview can be impacted by how you present yourself.

This indicates the importance of dressing for success, it’s your choice, there are things to consider which will give you an edge.

The correct outfit for the interview

What you wear to an interview will vary from job to job, meaning it’s essential to do your research when choosing your outfit.

For this reason, here are ways to identify the appropriate clothing:

• By reading the application form
• Contacting the company or agency
• Researching the company
• Asking people who work at the company
• Researching the industry or similar businesses

Thus this information will give you an idea of the companies dress code and what is suitable as an interview outfit.

Most office based jobs have a traditional dress code of suit, shirt and tie. But in many jobs dress code is less formal.

Dressing right for the type of company is crucial, if for example you go for a job at Google the cultural fit might be more casual. Therefore wearing the right sort of clothes will mean you fit in and are suitable to join the organisation.

However this is not always obvious and it may be more appropriate to go for smart dress if there’s no guidance.

The right clothing choice for confidence and comfort

What you wear to a job interview is a balance between portraying the right image and being comfortable and confident.

What to wear for job interview confidence?

Confidence is an important ingredient in a job interview, there are ways to boost your confidence for a job interview, clothing is one of these ways.

Therefor select clothes which make you feel confident, if you feel confident you exude confidence. A suit instantly gives you this feeling, it puts your brain into gear to perform.

Similarly when we look good we tend to feel good, if you don’t like your outfit it’s time for a shopping trip.

What to wear for job interview comfort?

Interviews are stressful, you need to feel comfortable, here are some things to consider:

1. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, you don’t want to be too hot, as this will make you feel more stressed.
2. Layer, this way you can put clothes on if Aircon is chilly or take clothes off if too hot.
3. Make sure that the clothing fits, too snug and it won’t be comfortable, too loose and it will look bad.
4. Choose the right materials, some materials are breathable and can keep you cooler or warmer.

Therefore finding the right balance and wearing clothes that make you feel confident and reasonably comfortable, will positively impact on your mood and self-esteem. Thus you’ll approach the interview positively with a great attitude, this will be sensed by the interviewer.

Consider it from the perspective of the interviewer

Put yourself in the shoes of the interviewer, what do they expect from you? Ask these questions:

• Do I look professional?
• Have I done my research on the correct clothing?
• Do I appear to be taking this opportunity seriously?
• How does my clothing reflect on me?
• Do I appear to be respectful to the interviewer?
• Is the clothing appropriate for the business culture?
• Do I look competent?
• Is the clothing suitable for this job?

As a result of asking yourself these questions you should identify the correct outfit. With this in mind it’s now it’s time for a second opinion, ask a friend what they think, they may see something you’ve missed, ask them to be honest.

The right outfit reduces bias

We often make judgments about people even though we don’t know them, having bias is normal, it can benefit us, but also put us at a disadvantage when meeting certain people, they may have a preformed negative opinion of us.

In an interview setting, the interviewer will attempt to remain impartial, but they will have unintentional preferences and prejudices. These could be developed from the information they receive about you before the interview, your name, the University you went to, your previous jobs…the list is long.

However dressing appropriately helps diminish negative bias, by wearing clothing which fits the company culture you’re telling the interviewer that you are one of them. Therefore preconceived ideas the interviewer has, may be mitigated by this.

Checklist for what to wear to a job interview

The interviewer will notice any small flaw in your clothing, so be mindful as you’ll be the focus of their attention.

Here are some useful prompts, simply check them off to ensure you’re ready for that important job interview.

My interview clothing is:

• Well-fitted – not too tight or too loose
• Clean – including no pet hair or lint
• Wrinkle free or dry cleaned
• Damage free – no rips, tears, missing buttons or loose threads
• Fresh smelling – it may have been in storage
• Not too bright, not too dull, also consider colour psychology
• Comfortable and smart
• Appropriate – for the job and businesses culture
• Hung up, ready to go, and safe from animals or children

Also I have considered:

• Tattoos – on display or covered up
• Footwear – clean, polished and matches the outfit
• Jewellery – subtle and professional
• Hair – clean and well-groomed
• Piercings – subtle
• Nails – clean and trimmed
• Fragrance – minimal and subtle
• Baggage – professional looking
• Makeup – subtle, not bold or distracting
• Back up outfit – accidents occur
• Weather – prepared for heat, cold (including Aircon) or rain

Conclusion

It should now be clear how important the right outfit is, take your time and make the effort to perfect your look and you’ll have an edge over your competition. This advice works for a face to face interview or a video call.

Your clothing choice communicates a message to the interviewer, it tells them you are professional and have respect for the opportunity and the company’s culture. It conveys your understanding of the role you’re applying for and shows your commitment to making a positive first impression.

Confidence and comfort go hand in hand when it comes to choosing the right outfit for a job interview. A comfortable outfit which makes you feel confident enables you to focus on the interview and perform to the best of your ability.

To ensure you make the right clothing choice use this article and the checklist to guide your decision-making process. Pay close attention to the details, following these guidelines gives you one less thing to worry about. What you wear to a job interview should not be an after thought, but part of your strategy to succeed in the job interview.