First Impressions Count in Job Interviews
An important key to landing a new job is to dress for success, something that a majority of job seekers today tend to forget. Although potential employers take several things into advisement, including your resume, references, and experience; your appearance is the first personal impression you make.
Professional appearance means business or business casual clothing, good personal hygiene (including teeth, hair, nails, and skin), and being conservative in the accessories department. Having a professional appearance tells potential employers that you take this opportunity seriously, and show respect for them and the time they’re giving you during the interview.
When it comes to clothing, jeans are never professional. Jeans are considered casual attire, whether pants, skirt, or jacket. Depending on the job, women should wear a nice skirt and blouse, or dress, or slacks with a blouse. Skirts are best knee length or longer, and shirts should not be low cut. You want the interviewer to see you as a serious worker, not someone looking for attention. Men should wear slacks and a collared shirt, whether a polo shirt or button up. Whether or not you wear a tie or suit depends on the job environment.
Good personal hygiene is a must for a job interview. Brushing your teeth is common sense, but double check in a mirror before your interview that you don’t have any remainders of lunch hanging around in there. Hair should be neat, well groomed, and out of your eyes. Hair covering your eyes indicates insecurity, and you want to show the interviewer that you are confident in your abilities and qualifications for the position. There should be no dirt under your fingernails, or on your face.
As for accessories, less is more. Tons of jewelry on women or men can be distracting and take away from your appearance. You want the interviewer to focus on you, not on how many necklaces you’re wearing at once.
Of course, job attire varies depending on the job. Someone interviewing with a law firm should dress very differently than someone interviewing at a tattoo parlor. It’s helpful to have an understanding of the work environment to know what dressing for success means in that particular job. If you don’t know for sure how to dress, the middle ground of business casual is usually a good bet.
By dressing for success you communicate without words that you’re the right person for the job, first impressions can make or break an interview.