Wednesday, August 06, 2008

A Guide to What to Wear to an Interview.

By Ray James


As it well known, first impressions are always important. During the interview most interviewers have already made an impression about the candidate within initial 10 seconds. As a result, the way you dress for the interview is decisive to this first impression. Most corporate-recruiting experts would agree with this idea.

Your choice of outfit should be neither too casual nor flashy. In fact, it is much more important that you are clean and neat. Wear the clothes that fit properly and are appropriate to your body type. Wearing wrinkled clothes would give the impression that you are not terribly concerned about your appearance and therefore may reflect on your work habits.

The traditional suit is one of the best choices for wearing to an interview for both men and women. It should be restrained and quietly stylish. The suit has been seen as a symbol of prestige, power and confidence for many years. It also suggests that the wearer is successful. Because of this, it should contribute to your presence in any interview.

You may choose either a black or coloured suit, provided the colour is neutral. The style of the suit should also be conservative, not fashionable and of a single color. In some countries and cultures throughout the world, some beliefs do not allow a person to wear clothes that are completely black. However, this can be overcome by the wearing of a contrasting coloured shirt or blouse, such as a pale blue or white. Black is generally the best colour for a suit as it suits the majority of body types.

Women are advised to resist the temptation to wear "fashionable" clothing and to instead choose an outfit that is conservative. The same can be said for men. Accessories can also be worn. However, for these also, the rule is the same. They should not be flashy or overdone. Accessories should only be an enhancement to the outfit, not the most dominant feature.

Women need to be more circumspect regarding their choice of accessories. Some may find that they have to remove items that they normally wear, such as body piercings, large earrings or chunky bracelets. Women can wear some jewellery, provided it is not a distraction. Footwear is also important. It should be well made and should be of a design that provides the proper support to the feet. You should be able to walk in them and be comfortable. Shoes should not slip from your feet. As such, the best choice of footwear is closed in or lace up shoes with a modest heel for women.

Your clothing should say something about you, but quietly. It should not be allowed to overpower your personality. The interviewer is interested in what you have to say, not your fashion sense.

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