Dress to Impress!
27/06/2023
Dress to Impress!
What should I wear to an Interview?
Well it’s not always easy to know what is appropriate attire for an interview? Some companies are positively ‘put off’ by a suit, but others feel it’s an absolute necessity... so what’s the answer?
Focus on the Finer Details
- Make sure your outfit fits – Have a dress rehearsal, if you haven’t worn your interview outfit recently, you might find it doesn’t fit the way it used to. Don’t try to pull it off, though. You won’t look your best and you won’t feel comfortable and it will show.
- Footwear –it’s amazing how shoes can make a difference! Check they are not falling apart or have holes in the soles! Also think twice before wearing really high heels, they may hinder your walking (just imagine if they want to take you on a tour and you are tottering about on heels!) The heels may also make you very tall and this may make you feel uncomfortable if everyone else is in flats and appearing much smaller than you!
- Jewellery –try not to wear anything too big or too noisy, it can be very distracting!
- Attention to Detail –take off chipped nail varnish, take care when applying make-up or fake tan, ensure your earrings aren’t too big, or take them out altogether and make sure your hair is brushed!
Obvious things, I know, but you would be amazed how many people just forget or don’t pay attention to the finer details!
Do Your Research
The question of what to wear during the interview is harder to answer than ever. Gone are the days when a suit was the universal standard. Today, each company has its own unique culture, so one company's polished and professional may be another company's stuffy and uptight.
The emerging digital industries are famous for having a more lax atmospheres and dress code, so if you show up for a job interview in a suit and tie or conservative dress, you may give off the impression you are too uptight for the laid-back culture -- and not a good fit for the company. The same concept may apply to a job at a creative agency, where the traditional interview outfit may come across as unoriginal or boring. You can usually get away with adding something extra to show your originality and personality – such as a statement necklace, bright scarf or bold tie – but be careful not to overdo it, you don’t want to appear like a clown!
Of course, there are still many organisations where employees are expected to wear business suits every day, such as law offices or finance service organisation. But even at large corporations, the dress code may vary by department and role. Those with client-facing positions and managerial roles may be expected to adopt more formal attire, while others, such as creatives and IT employees, may be able to get away with jeans. Your best bet is to do your homework ahead of time to figure out what the standard dress code would be for the role and company to which you're interviewing.
Do your homework - research the company before the interview to get a feel for the culture: Check out its company careers site, Facebook page and reviews on Glassdoor. Tap into your professional network to see if you know someone (or know someone who knows someone) who works for the company and can offer some insight. You could even call or email the company's recruiting or HR department and ask them about the appropriate dress code.
Err on the side of overdressing. Even if the company you're interviewing with allows employees to dress in jeans and more casual attire, most experts advise dressing "a step above" the typical daily dress for the company.
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