Ladies - Dress for Success at your Job Interview

If you are attending for a job interview then you will want to ensure that you give yourself the best chance of success.  You'll certainly have brushed up on any questions you may be asked about your experience and qualifications for the job. 

However if your qualifications and abilities are the same as the next applicant it will be your appearance that can tip the balance in your favour.   This article will offer you helpful guidelines to ensure that your appearance will work for you at that all important job interview.

You only have one chance at making a first impression, so your first impression needs to be entirely favourable.

General dress styleYou need to be sensitive to the job role for which you are applying.  For example should you be applying for the role of personal assistant to a managing director you need to tailor your appearance to exude an air of efficiency and smartness.  However if you are applying to an independent record company that promotes hip-hop and garage music your dress style should be entirely different.

So do your homework - know what sort of dress style will typify the indurecty for which you are applying and copy it.  However one very useful tip is to avoid extremes - don't outdress the interviewer!  Imagine applying to a female office manager - if your outfit looks a million dollars and she is wearing standard work clothes, your chances are slim right from the outset.  You should always aim for neatness but neutrality. Shoes for your interviewMany interviewers look at the interviewee's shoes before anything else and will judge accordingly - so your shoes must be clean.  Don't go for stilettos with ultra high heels - aim for your outfit to be neat but not dramatic.

Ladies - what outerwear should you select for your job interviewMany organisations commonly dress down and jeans and casual wear is acceptable on a day-to-day basis.  However you are trying to ensure that your first impression is better than those competing for the same job so as a general guide look to wear a neat combination of blouse and skirt.   If you are plus size then stick to darker colors and away from vibrant large patterns - you are not auditioning to be a set of sixties floral curtains!  Stripes will work and be flattering if they are vertical - steer clear of horizontal stripes

Tights or stockingsApparently sales of pantyhose and stockings has been dropping over the past few years as more women choose not to have their legs covered.  If you do wear a skirt for your job interview as recommended then it is essential to wear nylon stockings or pantyhose.  Pantyhose or stockings will finish your outfit and flatter your legs as well, hiding any blemishes and giving an 'artificial tan' to pale legs.  Keep the look restrained - neutral to dark shades, and avoid vibrant colors or patterns.

Choosing lingerie for your job interviewNo, this is not a joke, lingerie can make a difference.  If you feel your underwear fits well, and looks good (even though you're the only one to know), then you will behave more confidently.

OuterwearAs already mentioned, you will need to decide on an appropriate outfit in relation to the type of job for which you are.  Aim for simple elegance; you do not want to appear sloppy to a prospective employer.  However it is not a good move to make your interviewer feel you are significantly better dressed than they are!  A smart suit, ideally with a skirt and not pants.  Yes we are in the twenty first century, but some employers are old-fashioned!  If you don't like the advice, ask yourself how badly you really want the job?  If wearing a skirt gives you a fractional edge over another interviewee then it will have been worth the effort.

PerfumeI'd recommend minimal perfume.  A scent which you may like might be overpowering to someone else if they happen to have a really keen sense of smell, and some people are actually allergic to certain perfumes and smells.  Less is certainly more in this instance.

NailsClean nails are of course essential, and natural varnish or a restrained color is your best bet.  There are very few occupations where the possession of long talons will either impress or be an asset; they can result in the wrong keys being hit on keyboards, and in a health care environment for example they can even be a health hazard. Short and neat is best.

Body language at an interviewBody language is very powerful, and you can these tricks to get the interviewer on your side without them even being aware of it. 

A firm handshake, whilst looking the interviewer in the eye with a natural confident smile will instantly put you ahead of the pack.

Subtly mirror the posture of your interviewer and they will instantly warm to you...and not be aware why!  On the other hand sitting with arms tightly folder is a very contained, shy posture and will give off the wrong signals.

Finally, make sure you've done your homework on the company before you attend.  Asking one or two intelligent questions that shows that you have an awareness of the business always creates a good impression.

Good luck with your interview!