Your parents have always told you that first impressions are important. They were right. How you present yourself can make a lasting impression on someone you’ve just met, like a future employer. A great first impression doesn’t just mean answering all the questions correctly or having a perfect resume with references on hand. It includes dressing the part and looking appropriate. If you’re scheduled for an interview soon, keep these tips in mind:
Always “over-dress.”
I don’t know what company you have an interview with. It could be a small business, department store or business firm, but no matter what type of job you’re interviewing for, remember being overdressed is better than being underdressed. You don’t want to walk into an interview, wearing slacks, a polo shirt and tennis shoes while everyone else is wearing suits. At the very least, dress business-casual. For guys, business casual is: dress pants or slacks, a button down shirt, dress shoes and a sport coat. For girls, business casual is: a skirt (not mini!) or dress pants, a nice blouse, heels and a jacket if desired. But the best way to avoid any confusion is to simply ask what the dress code is.
Keep it simple.
Trying out all your new jewelry at once or diving head-first into color blocking is a “no-go” when you’re going to an interview. The trick is to keep it simple. Otherwise, the person interviewing you will pay more attention to what you’re wearing than what you’re saying. If you’re wearing a bright-colored shirt, pair it with neutrals. If you want to wear a statement necklace, keep any other jewelry to a minimum. And if you want to try that new Mickey Mouse tie you got for Christmas, leave it at home.
Make sure it fits.
You’ve got your gray suit all picked out with a nice tie or a great blouse but when you put it on, you realize it’s too big. What do you do? Choose a new outfit. Wearing a suit that doesn’t fit is like wearing jeans and sneakers to an interview. Avoid wearing clothes that are too long or a size too big at all costs — otherwise your interviewer will think you don’t care.
It’s not just about your clothes.
I’m all for the messy hair look (I tend to forgo a hair brush most days), but when it comes to an interview, you have to focus on your entire look, which includes your hair and shoes. Don’t try a new hairdo days before your interview. Stick to your tried and true style. You don’t want to wake up the morning of the interview and not know what to do with your hair. Men, take the time to fix up your facial hair if necessary. If you look better with no facial hair, shave. If you can’t part with your beard or mustache, trim it up and make sure you look professional. The wear and tear of your shoes is also an important factor. If your favorite pair of shoes looks like they’re your favorite pair of shoes, don’t wear them. Your outfit matters from top to bottom so make sure your shoes are clean.
Going on an interview can be nerve-racking. You want to impress your interviewer and, ultimately get the job. One way to calm the butterflies in your stomach is to make sure you dress appropriately. Hopefully these tips will help you land your dream job.
