Wardrobe Do’s and Don’ts for Your Next Job Interview
Help! I Have an Interview and I Don’t Know What to Wear – or What Not to Wear
We all can relate to cultivating our education, carefully preparing an insightful and professional resume, getting them sent out and then receiving that one phone call that makes all the work worthwhile. We realize we’re on the cusp of great things when it occurs to us – we have no idea what to wear, or better still, what not to wear.
Things you wear may be crucial in getting the job
Sure, we know what’s appropriate and what’s completely unacceptable; still, there are those ever-important nuances that we should steer clear of. After all, we know it’s the total package we’re presenting. Employers are looking for bright minds that can join their teams and play a role in their company’s success; but they’re also looking for those who have a bit of common sense and a large dose of decorum. Let’s face it, that executive resume means nothing if we show up for an interview with ill fitting or inappropriate clothing.
In that spirit, Grand Resume has culled the most common fashion faux paus to perhaps prevent others from falling victim. The Do’s and Don’ts are absolutely critical.
Ladies, potential employers are quite interested in seeing your assets – but if your assets can’t be spelled out in resume format, odds are, you’ve selected the wrong blouse. That might seem obvious, but you might be surprised to learn 18% of interviewers have found themselves distracted by what’s not covered – literally speaking. There’s no room in an interview for cleavage, no matter how tasteful you think your presentation is. Not only that, but you lose credibility. Employers want to know you have faith in your professional credentials and education and that you don’t rely on a revealing appearance to propel you to the top.
No matter how incredible a suit might look on you, if it’s in disrepair, the only thing an interviewer will notice is that hanging hem or lost button. At the very least, make a quick hem repair with ironing tape and use a safety pin to reattach that button. Both are temporary fixes, but work well when time’s short.
Absolutely, Positively Never:
- Wear flip flops to an interview – and for that matter, flip flops should be off limits in a professional setting at all times.
- Wear tank tops.
- Spend too much time with the perfume. No matter how expensive it is, if you’re drowning in it, you only come across as frustrating at best and at worst, cheap.
- Go into an interview wearing clothes you dug out of the hamper. You may have forgotten that ketchup stain and even if there are no obvious signs of soil, a wrinkled presentation is the best way to well, throw a wrinkle into your interview.
With the job market so tight these days and more and more folks competing for the same position, you owe it to yourself to pay attention to the details and ensure you’ve created the best possible first impression. You want to present yourself as professionally as your resume indicates you are.
