By Guest blogger Diana S.

Dress for Success: What to Wear for An Interview

 

Looking for a job? Well, if you’re one of the lucky few who landed an opportunity for an interview, it’s important to take the necessary steps to make sure you actually get the job. Obviously, making a lasting first impression is one of the most important steps in any job interview, so how you dress can greatly increase or decrease the chances for success. That being said, whether you’re male or female, it’s best to prepare yourself properly for what awaits you and check out some of the biggest do’s and don’ts of interview apparel.

Inform Yourself

Before you go window shopping to search for the perfect attire, it’s best to inform yourself thoroughly about the dress policy of the company you’re applying to. Major companies usually have a specific dress code that employees should follow, so dressing accordingly can greatly help you score some bonus points from the employer. Another factor that can greatly help you determine what type of attire you should wear is the type of job you’re applying for. For instance, while a formal suit works in most business settings, if yore applying for a creative job or a job in the fashion industry, perhaps you should tone it down a bit. It’s important to learn how to dress appropriately for the job you’re applying to, so the expression Dress for the job you want, not the job you have can sometimes be quite helpful (especially if you don’t have a job to start with.)

Gentlemen

Fortunately for the male population, it doesn’t take much for a man to look dashing during an interview. When in doubt – a suit will suffice. The only thing men should pay attention to is the colour palette and combination of different materials. In order to avoid confusion, the best solution is to rely on dark colours like black, grey or navy blue in the combination with black or brown leather shoes. When it comes to fabrics, cotton is always the best choice, while a linen suit can be a good choice for summer. Accessorising should be quite simple and professional, so a nice watch and a single-coloured tie will be adequate. If you’re applying for a job in a company whose dress code is business casual, try to focus your attention more on that business part, rather than the casual. This means that trousers, leather shoes with a nice shirt and a blazer are a perfect combo, while sneakers, graphic t-shirts and similar should stay in your closet.

Ladies

Ladies have more than a few options. For completely formal settings, women have the opportunity to choose from a wide array of ladies suits, which is a great option if you’re not used to wearing skirts or dresses. Another nice option is the pencil skirt-blouse combo, which always makes a great interview choice. Of course, there are certain fashion don’ts that women should simply avoid. Some of these things include too much sparkly accessories, shoes in bright colours and with huge heels, as well as too much makeup or flashy nails. A nice scarf or a pair of statement earrings are a far better choice, while a stylish hair pin can always leave a lasting impression, especially with a nice, professional hairstyle.

Unless stated otherwise, it’s best to play it safe and go for a simple yet professional attire. The goal is to show your potential employer that you’re reliable, skilled and most importantly – the right person for the job. Your attire can greatly help you in achieving that, but it also depends on how you wear the garments. Feeling comfortable and natural in the clothes you wear is equally important as what you’re wearing.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.