Job Interviews: What to Wear

It takes between seven and seventeen seconds for a person to make an impression of us and much of that impression is based on how we look. It stand to reason, then, that what we wear to job interviews will make a far greater impact on our success than anything we're likely to say once those first crucial seconds have passed.

Dress For the Job

If you're applying for a job as a sale assistant in a trendy boutique in a hip part of town, what you wear will need to be very different to what you'd wear when being interviewed for a job as a lawyer's personal assistant.

By wearing what you believe you'd wear to work if offered the job, you're silently saying that you understand the position you're applying for and that you have the knowledge to fulfil the company's expectations.

If you're applying for a job where you'd be wearing a uniform, think about the kind of uniform that you'd be likely to wear. Is it very casual, as in the unformed overalls given to a car mechanic? Is it smart casual, as often worn by delivery couriers? Is it smart, like the kind of uniform worn by bank employees or perhaps a hotel doorman? Choose your wardrobe to reflect the uniform.

Men:

  • Casual - Clean, pressed jeans with a T-shirt or sweat top
  • Smart Casual - Casual slacks with a cotton shirt and blazer
  • Smart - A suit

    Women:

  • Casual - Clean, pressed jeans with a casual top
  • Smart Casual - Pants or a skirt with a casual blouse
  • Smart - A pant or skirt suit with a smart blouse

    The above are simply guidelines - always use your own common sense when deciding what to wear. A job interview for a position in a trendy night club would demand something very different to what you'd wear to ace an interview for a job as a supervisor in a biscuit factory, even though both jobs would suggest you wear 'smart casual'.

    Accessories

    Men:

  • Never wear make-up unless you're applying for a job where male cosmetics are generally accepted (trendy night clubs/boutiques etc)
  • Jewelry should be kept to a minimum. If you wear an earring, make it a small stud. Leave heavy chains and large rings at home and replace them with something less obtrusive. You may like the message such items of jewelry give but the chances are your interviewer won't
  • Never wear track shoes, even if you're dressing casually

    Women:

  • Subtle make-up
  • A few, well-chosen pieces of jewelry. Studs in the ears, a delicate chain around the neck and 1-2 rings are enough. Unless you need a large bag to carry a portfolio or similar, stick with a small purse
  • Heels should be low

    Personal Hygiene

    Whilst job hunting it's important you:

  • Have your hair trimmed and styled regularly
  • Keep finger nails trimmed and clean
  • Wear deodorant
  • Wear only a very light perfume/after-shave, if any

    Men should be clean shaven or have a beard kept neatly trimmed.

    By following these tips you'll be giving yourself a far greater chance of successfully securing the job that you want. Remember: seven to seventeen seconds is all you have to make that all-important first impression.

    Sharon Jacobsen is a freelance writer based in South Cheshire, England. She has been writing in one form or another all of her life but as she hasn't always been self-employed, she's learned a few things about working life along the way.

    To contact Sharon or to learn more about her work, please visit: http://www.sharon-jacobsen.co.uk

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment Success

    Electronic Resume Writing Tips That Boost Your Interview Appointment SuccessBefore... Read More

    Stacking The Deck In Your Favor

    Many people do not bother to look at their own... Read More

    Your Resume Format - What Is The First Thing You Need To Do?

    The first thing you need to do before you write... Read More

    How NOT to Write a Resume

    You can learn a lot about how to do something... Read More

    So, What Do You Do For Work?

    I remember being asked this question a lot when I... Read More

    Pebbles in Your Shoe Dont Only Hurt your Foot But Cause Back and Hip Problems!

    CIO Magazine ran an article entitled, "Ten Mistakes CIO's Too... Read More

    Hiring the Perfect Fit Through ELance.com

    Outsourcing has moved upward in the most-improved columns of efficiency... Read More

    Resume Writing and Preparation is Free Online

    Creating a strong resume is a very important part of... Read More

    How to Change Career Horses in Mid-Stream

    You'll get wet but the reward just might be a... Read More

    The Squirrel Effect

    An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More

    How to Get Paid More Without Being Pretty or Good Looking

    Guess what. The results are out they are ugly. Pretty... Read More

    Take Charge of Your Job Search: 12 Steps to Success

    Despite what many people may say, a job search does... Read More

    How to Manage Your Career Like a Business

    Look upon yourself as a company with a product or... Read More

    An Unexpected Career Direction

    My starting point was how to draw on 25 years... Read More

    Seven Tips to a Job-Winning Interview

    These days, interviews don't come easily. When you get The... Read More

    Job Search: Age-Proofing Your Resume

    Older job hunters fear interviews where their age cannot be... Read More

    How to Insure Job Security

    The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More

    Job Search Campaign Tip: An Activity Diary

    Looking for a job involves a wide range of responsibilities:... Read More

    Words. Words. Words.

    They're only words. Some believe the school-yard taunt: "Sticks and... Read More

    Get In Career Shape

    Research suggests that as many as 8 out of 10... Read More

    Fascinating Ways to Make a Living Doing What You Love May Be Closer Than You Think...

    You don't have to look very far to find fascinating... Read More

    Salary Negotiation Secrets Revealed

    Before you go into the interview, it is important to... Read More

    Relocation Myths and Stereotypes

    You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based on... Read More

    How To Become A Computer Consultant

    Have you ever wanted to become a computer consultant, but... Read More

    Staying In Shape

    Why Lawyers Should Eat Bananas by Simon Tupman is a... Read More

    Vocational Experts 7 Proposals to Solve the Unemployment Problem

    The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More

    Updating Your Plum Job Now That Youre a Parent

    It's startling to discover how having kids changes the way... Read More

    Career Change: Success Tips

    Successful career change is based on first making an honest... Read More

    The Network Within

    When you hear the word "networking", what comes to your... Read More

    Four Important Questions to Ask Your Interviewer; Do You Really Want to Work for This Person?

    Many job seekers miss a golden opportunity when they are... Read More

    Put Some Mystery in Your Life

    Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private... Read More

    College Labor is Available in Ohio

    Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More

    Independent RN Contractors Are Taking The Nursing Profession

    Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.... Read More