This little guy sure knows how to dress, doesn’t he? From his dapper tie to the matching colors to the neatly buttoned vest, the son of one of our recruiters absolutely killed it on “Dress for Success” day at his kindergarten last fall.
We’re here to tell you: When dressing for a job interview, keep little Jaxon in mind. He gets right what too many job candidates get wrong.
Dressing the right way for an interview goes well beyond common sense approaches such as leaving your weekend wear at home and skipping anything with a tear in it.
We advise our clients to dress like you want and are going to get the job. When you show a sense of pride in your appearance, employers know that pride will show up in your work, too.
Here are a few of our tried-and-true interview dressing tips. You’ll note little Jaxon followed them all — he’ll go far one day for sure!
1. Wear Clothes That Fit
We all have our insecurities, but no matter what your size, the most flattering fit is snug but not tight. You look more polished and professional when you have clothes that appear tailored to your body. Baggy shirts or pants that look like waders when you sit down make you appear disheveled. That is not an impression you want to leave with the interviewer.
2. Stick to Muted, Softer Colors
It’s okay to show some flair. But don’t let flair turn into loud colors. You don’t want your clothing to scream, “Look at me.” You want it to say, “I’m a team player.”
3. Skip the Stains
Make sure all your clothing is free from stains—and rips and tears.
4. Never Wear Jeans
No matter what job you are interviewing for, jeans are way too casual. Other things to skip:
- Hoodies
- Flip-flops
- Baseball hats
(And lest you think we are kidding … yes, people show up for interviews in all of these, and no, they do not get the jobs!)
5. Iron Everything
Wrinkles look sloppy. If you don’t have an iron, get one — you will need it to iron your everyday work clothes, too, once you land the new position.
6. Find Shoes Without Scuffs
Whether that means buying new ones or polishing the ones you have, your shoes should look as neat and tidy as your outfit.
Final tips: You can never go wrong with a suit, and it’s better to dress too conservatively than too outlandishly. You want to give the employer reasons to hire you, not reasons to write you off, and presenting a sophisticated image at your first meeting will go a long way to helping you land the job.
Have questions about how to dress for an upcoming interview? You can always ask us on our Facebook page, and we’ll give you the answers! Find us at facebook.com/SusanGrahamConsulting.