How to Dress for an Interview
An influential attire lies as one of the important reason behind every successful professional. Since an interview is a place for self marketing, a business grade dressing would make marvels. Your dressing has to be given equal emphasis as much as the technical part. Professional attire creates an impression and enables the interviewer to judge you in a moment. Power dressing gives you the looks of a confident and successful professional.
The Common Idea :
Most people think of interviews as places where importance is given only to the intellect of the candidate and has nothing to do with the dressing and looks. If you are one of them, you surely are on the wrong side. Especially in case of management and marketing professionals, power dressing is a part of their job. Attire rendering you a successful look is quintessential for success in an interview.
The Code :
Dressing code for interviews are mostly conservative suits. The suit must be chosen such that it gives you an elegant posture, confident look amidst bright eyes and an expressive face. A good example is television news readers. The power dressing makes the news readers feel the importance of their job and gives a commanding voice with no stammering. The same will be the effect in interviews too.
Interview attire for men include :
- Suit in navy, black or dark grey shades, better to avoid bright colors
- Maintain professional suit or shop for one
- Strong and stylish suit, tailor-made will be perfect
- Long sleeve shirts without a dull look, short sleeve shirts are not for professionals, especially for interviews
- Silk tie matching the suit. Monochrome style, with same colored shirt and tie would also look stylish. Try avoiding ties with bright and dashing colors, designs, funny prints etc. Tie the tie with a good looking knot.
- Apt cufflinks add to the score
- Belts or suspenders and definitely not both
- Well polished shoes. Make sure the shoes are in good condition. Avoid socks with designs and patterns
- A neat haircut and a clean shave. Don't forget to trim facial hair. Avoid hair colors. Equip yourself with some good grooming products
- Properly manicured nails
- Hide your tattoos. They do not look give an appealing look
- Use minimum jewelry as possible
- A watch, possibly with a metallic look, would complete the man of power and success
Interview attire for women include :
- Suit in black or related dark colors
- Suit with skirt or pants will be acceptable
- Make sure the dress is not tight
- Polished shoes in proper condition with lesser heels
- Stylish jewelry, minimal, no body piercing
- Clear looking make-up
- A professional looking natural hair color, avoid out-of-normal colors
- Avoid using distracting nail color
- Use only mild perfumes
Remember :
- Red, green and pink are not business colors
- Avoid tight dresses
- No casual wear, jeans or gym shoes
- No long nails and bright colored polish
- No strong perfumes
- No body piercing/ studs
- Avoid stockings with designs
- Avoid excess and colorful make-up
In a nutshell, interview attire should reflect what you are and what you want to be. It should make the interviewer feel that the candidate is a complete and successful professional.
