Dressing for Job Interview Success

Does it really make a big difference how you dress up for a job interview? In almost all cases, it does. Dressing for job interview success – this is perhaps one of the most overused job-hunting phrases, but this is also one of the most ignored by many job seekers. In hunting for a job, first impressions really matter.

Keep in mind that in job hunting, you are marketing yourself as a product to your customer, your potential employer, and believe it or not, the first thing that the employer or the interviewer sees when you greet him or her is your attire; therefore, you must exert extra effort to have appear in the interview in the attire most appropriate for the job you are applying for. Now you might ask if dressing properly and appropriately would get you the job. Definitely not, but dressing the right way will surely give the competitive edge.

Will you be judged by your interviewer by what you wear on the interview? Perhaps not; however, the reality is you are actually judged. Throughout the process of seeking for a job, most employers like to shorten the process – it’s either rules of thumb or heuristics but almost all of them have one common thing in mind – save their time!

What’s this shortened process? Well, they simply look at the opening paragraph of the cover letters and give your qualification a quick scan. The same thing is done with resumes. They simply give the applicant’s accomplishments a quick scan and with the job interview, it is how the interviewee dressed that actually sets the overall tone and mood of the interviewer to proceed to the interview process.

Dress for Interview Success

Dressing to impress at your job interview is the most important thing you can do.  Your potential employer will make a decision about you on that alone.  You have 60 seconds to make a good first impression.  What you wear is vitally important to your job search.

In this respect, is conservative always better?  No, not always.  When dressing to impress at your job interview, you must first decide what your industry’s standard is.  Is it a conservative standard or does using some current flair help you?  In most situations a business suit is the most appropriate choice.

Men’s and women’s business suits should be solid color for first interviews.  Both should use a coordinating color shirt or blouse and matching shoes.  The shoes should be in good condition without worn heels and scuff marks.

Depending on the industry the shirt or blouse should be current and fashionable.  You can go bolder in retail or fashion merchandising industries and understated in industries that are more conservative.

You must have a full understanding of what the industry standard is.  Most often if there is a casual day at your potential employer’s office on the day of your interview, they will tell you that.  That does not mean that you should wear jeans.

Always dress better than you think you need to.  Be cautious with bright colors and hems.  You want them to remember you for your talent, not your clothes.  You only have one chance at a first impression, don’t blow it by dressing inappropriately.