Job Interview Advice: What To Wear
- By Eric Gargiulo
- Published 12/15/2011
- Career
- Unrated
Now that you have the job interview, the next step is knowing what to wear for the interview. What kind of business apparel is too casual or too intimidating can be the difference in getting that big job. Remember, dressing for the job you want not the job you have.
Most job seekers usually take the time to dress properly for their interview. But dressing appropriately for the business is a very critical part of the equation. Wearing a three pieced, pinstriped, business suit to an interview for a casual position could turn off the hiring manager. Many employers judge the interviewee by what they wear so something too over the top may give the manager the impression that you wouldn't fit in well in a casual environment.
I worked as a recruiter for a couple of years and it blew me away as to how many people didn't show up dressed properly. I was hiring for executive positions yet there were some men that would show up without ties and women in provocative clothing. As a recruiter, my recruit represents me and if these people were going to dress so carelessly for their first impression, imagine the call I would have gotten from my client if I sent them a candidate in a pair of jeans?
It is a little easier for men because going with a suit is a safe bet. Now there are some employers that would prefer you show up in slacks and a jacket rather than a suit. It really is a cultural thing. If you have relocated to a new area, do some research and find out what is trendy in your area. Talk to friends or visit some message boards or forums online and talk to people in your new community to see what is in style or not in style. At the end of the day, you really can't go wrong with a plain colored suit, dress shirt, and tie.
For women, it can be a little tricky. On the one hand you want to look your best, but on the other hand it is very important not to be too provocative. The last thing you want to do is send the wrong message to a potential employer. If you are wearing a suit skirt, make sure it is long enough so you can sit down comfortably without worrying. Wear a dark blue, gray, or black suit. Less is more when it comes to jewelry. And by all means, go easy on the perfume. This also goes for the guys as well when it comes to cologne. Like jewelry, less is more when it comes to fragrances.
While this all sounds so simple, dressing the part can be the intangible that separates you from your competition. The job market has not been this competitive in years, so if the difference between you and 10 candidates is an impression you made by what you wear or an making the wrong impression by what you forgot to wear, than take some extra time and make sure you are looking the part. It is a war out there and your greatest weapon in this dog eat dog job market could be something as simple as the way you look.
Good luck on the job search!
Most job seekers usually take the time to dress properly for their interview. But dressing appropriately for the business is a very critical part of the equation. Wearing a three pieced, pinstriped, business suit to an interview for a casual position could turn off the hiring manager. Many employers judge the interviewee by what they wear so something too over the top may give the manager the impression that you wouldn't fit in well in a casual environment.
I worked as a recruiter for a couple of years and it blew me away as to how many people didn't show up dressed properly. I was hiring for executive positions yet there were some men that would show up without ties and women in provocative clothing. As a recruiter, my recruit represents me and if these people were going to dress so carelessly for their first impression, imagine the call I would have gotten from my client if I sent them a candidate in a pair of jeans?
It is a little easier for men because going with a suit is a safe bet. Now there are some employers that would prefer you show up in slacks and a jacket rather than a suit. It really is a cultural thing. If you have relocated to a new area, do some research and find out what is trendy in your area. Talk to friends or visit some message boards or forums online and talk to people in your new community to see what is in style or not in style. At the end of the day, you really can't go wrong with a plain colored suit, dress shirt, and tie.
For women, it can be a little tricky. On the one hand you want to look your best, but on the other hand it is very important not to be too provocative. The last thing you want to do is send the wrong message to a potential employer. If you are wearing a suit skirt, make sure it is long enough so you can sit down comfortably without worrying. Wear a dark blue, gray, or black suit. Less is more when it comes to jewelry. And by all means, go easy on the perfume. This also goes for the guys as well when it comes to cologne. Like jewelry, less is more when it comes to fragrances.
While this all sounds so simple, dressing the part can be the intangible that separates you from your competition. The job market has not been this competitive in years, so if the difference between you and 10 candidates is an impression you made by what you wear or an making the wrong impression by what you forgot to wear, than take some extra time and make sure you are looking the part. It is a war out there and your greatest weapon in this dog eat dog job market could be something as simple as the way you look.
Good luck on the job search!
Eric Gargiulo
Eric Gargiulo is a former recruiter turned SEO professional. Dress for success with a large selection of business apparel, apparel blogs, and more at http://ApparelBusiness.net and visit http://camelclutchblog.com/category/seo/ to inquire about Eric's SEO services.
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