Dress for Success
May 19th, 2009
We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t judge a book by its cover”, however when you are searching for a job, perspective employers can and do judge you by your appearance. First impressions are critical so it is important that you gain a competitive edge by making every effort to ensure you are dressed properly for the role you are interviewing for. The way you are dressed sets the tone of the interview.
In preparation for an interview, you should always research the company to have a solid understanding of their business. This assists you in coming prepared for the interview not only with questions to ask them when you have the opportunity, but also to learn about their company culture thus enabling you to dress appropriately. Dressing yourself for the company makes you look as though you fit in with the organization. For example, arriving in a conservative suit for a position at a company where the usual dress code is a pair of casual pants and a sweater will make you stand out like a sore thumb. Likewise, arriving in casual clothing for a high level corporate position may make you look as if you don’t care enough about the job. Remember, you are marketing a product - yourself.
Make sure you have at least two professional sets of attire when you are starting your job search, standard job interviewing attire is a conservative dark navy or gray wool blend suit. For women, if you are wearing a skirt ensure that skirt lengths are never shorter than just above the knee. You should always wear a jacket, your shoes should be low heeled, and make up should always be understated. For men, if you have a beard or mustache, your facial hair should be neatly trimmed. Everyone should be aware that the way you smell can make or break you. Ensure that you have fresh breath, no body odor and do NOT wear excessive cologne. Finally, check your attire in the rest room just before your interview for a final check of your appearance.
You want to make sure that you are judged on your credentials, and not solely on your appearance. By using some of the basic suggestions here, you can ensure that you receive the best possible consideration for the role you interview on.
Author: Moira Cole
Posted in Job Seekers -