Top Tips On How To Dress For An Interview

Common advice from recruitment consultants and articles tell you that when it comes to upcoming job interviews, one should always look their best. The cliche saying 'first impressions count' is imperial as it is an unconscious decision for interviewers to determine whether you are fit for the position within the first minute of being introduced. It may not seem very fair for an interviewer to judge whether you are competent for a role based on such superficial factors but by taking into consideration a few simple factors, the stress of knowing what to wear may not be so daunting after all. What is an interview An interview in this context is usually a semi-formal meeting between an employer and potential candidates to meet and discuss opportunities of employment. Question, answers and talking about about a position are used to see whether the candidate is suited for the role. Another crucial tip by recruitment advisers, is that confidence is crucial for an interview. Unfortunately in most cases, gaining it involves preparation. When choosing what to wear, take time to find something you want to wear which will communicate that you are right for this position. It is a common misconception that looking smart and tidy means wearing a suit and tie. Put yourself in the mind of the interviewer. Would the outfit you decide to wear look right for the role and have you look like a potential colleague that will adapt well with the company? Take into consideration what responsibilities the position you are applying for involves and try to find attire that can match it. Will the position involve meeting company clients? For most office positions, professional or corporate attire is a safe bet. Even if you are not expected to meet clients, the office may have visiting clients, therefore looking professional will reflect a good impression on the company.Will there be a lot of physical work involved? For most hospitality roles, corporate attire may not be a good idea as they may want to trial you and see how you adapt to tasks. For more creative industries, you can guarantee that there is more leeway given to the standard of dress. Bear in mind that this all depends on the company and even if it may mean dressing casually, you still need to look tidy. If the dress code still feels ambiguous even after you have researched the company, there are a number of things that can be done. If it is your first interview in a new and unfamiliar industry, ask people who work in similar professions. It is also common for the interviewer to send you a confirmation letter of your interview, which they will suggest you to contact them if there are questions prior to the meeting. Use this to your advantage and ask about the company environment and dress code.  Hygiene is also an important factor in keeping tidy. Fresh breath, clean nails and using deodorant are a good things to check before an interview. With scents, keep in mind how much perfume or cologne you are wearing as too much will turn interviewers off and make them want to wrap up the meeting, which is not a good sign. To finish, you want to show a little bit of you so you don't come across as a carbon copy, so try and show a little bit of your personality in your chosen outfit. As well as working with someone efficient, employers want to work with someone with at least a bit of character. And despite looking the part, practicing questions, understanding the role and how your skills can be incorporated are also very important things to improve your confidence to succeed in an interview. Good Luck!