Dress for success for your job interview
Posted on May 21, 2024 by Martin Hahn, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
This article discusses the most important dress codes and tips to be successful in a job interview.
How to prepare to go to your interview? Cleanliness is not only a virtue, it is an absolute must for the job-seeker. You only have one chance to make a good first impression and this is not only an empty cliché. Many articles claim anything from 7 to 30 seconds before a potential connection determines whether or not you are worthy of connection. So, let’s make sure those precious seconds are not unnecessarily focused on anything but how perfect you are for the opportunity at hand.
Be Freshly Bathed, Shaved and Lightly Scented
If you have an afternoon interview, shower at noon before dressing. This may not always be possible if you are leaving current work to attend an interview, but in general, make sure your bath/shower is as close to your interview as possible. This is especially true if you are a smoker or if you tend to sweat more than the average human. Use a neutral, fresh smelling soap or body wash .
Spend some extra time scrubbing your hands and fingernails. Oddly, it’s one of those things interviewers tend to look at. If you notice they need a trim while showering, be sure to pull out the clippers before heading out. Men, interviewers will notice dirty and/or overly long fingernails. For women, neatly manicured nails and a subtle color of nail polish is advised. There is not the time to pull out your favorite neon orange nail polish, nor is it the time to show up with chipped and peeling polish that was applied a week or two ago.
Even if your normal look (men) is the nicely groomed two-day beard growth, A clean shave for an interview. If you have a beard or mustache, make sure it is neatly trimmed and clean at the edges. Women, in the United States the accepted norm is shaved underarms and legs. Yes, you can exercise your right to grow hair wherever you choose, but the interviewer also has the right to pass you over if he or she doesn’t share your enthusiasm for a razor-free body.
Use deodorant/antiperspirant. Sweaty armpits don’t say success. Some people need to be reminded of this. A quick note on antiperspirants, be careful not to get it on your clothing as you dress.
Make sure teeth are freshly brushed and have breath mints with you that you can use just prior to going in for your interview. Do not chew gum. You may forget to spit it out before going in, and a gum chewing interviewee is nearly as unappealing as someone who skipped a shower and a shave.
A note on perfumes and colognes. My advice is to go without. What might smell like “success” to you might give your interviewer a headache. Another thing I commonly see (or smell, more correctly) are smokers trying to cover the smell of smoke with a heavy dousing of perfume or cologne. Trust me, this does not work.
Getting Dressed for the Interview
Always select professional attire. For men, this is a suit and tie, or (at the very least) a shirt and tie with a pair of slacks. For women, a basic business suit (with either a skirt or slacks) is appropriate. Professional attire is always appropriate.
One exception for this would be if the interviewer specically told you to wear something more casual. You should be dressed in professional clothing that is clean and pressed. Another note to smokers: If you smoke in your home have your suit professionally cleaned and keep it bagged until you are ready to put it on.
Dress as nearly to your interview time as possible. You want to be as fresh and tidy as you can be. Again, I understand this may not be very practical for an interview scheduled late in the day if you are going straight from your current employer, but do your best.
Jewelry should be understated. If the interviewer’s firrst impression at the handshake is the bangles jangling on your wrist, you’ve given the wrong first impression. If you have pierced ears (both men and women), I recommend going as small and unobtrusive as possible (simple stud earrings). If you have piercings other than in your earlobes, I recommend removing jewelry from those. Not everyone is as open-minded about lip, tongue, eyebrow, and nose piercings as others. Grooming and dressing for the interview is an extremely important part of the process. Do you really want to lose a job opportunity because of this?
I believe the best rule of thumb is to be clean, and going to an interview overdressed is always better than underdressed.
