What to wear to an interview
First impressions count!! It is said that someone’s ”first impression” of you can form in as quickly as 7 seconds!! So therefore when you meet a potential employer for the first time, regardless of the work environment, it's important to dress professionally for a job interview because your interview dress can either make or break the job interview.
Interviews are formal occasions so your choice of clothing should reflect this. Unless you specifically know in advance that a workplace has a particular dress code, you should choose what to wear to an interview based on formality. As an office based Recruitment Agency we are going to give you a breakdown of what to wear when going for a formal office job:
Men:
Suit in a solid colour such as navy, black, or dark grey
Long sleeved shirt that is white or colour coordinated with the suit
Tie
Dark socks and conservative leather shoes
Neatly trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase
Women:
Although there are many more interview dress options out there for women here are the main components of what a woman should wear to a professional interview:
Suit (trouser, skirt or dress) in navy, black or dark grey
Suit skirt should just below or above the knee
Coordinated blouse
Conservative medium or low heeled shoes
Neutral coloured tights
What we would also suggest is:
Jewellery is OK to wear but don’t overdo it – stay modest
Hairstyles should be classic and keep makeup conservative
You should carry a briefcase / portfolio / professional looking handbag with a copy of your CV, pad, working pen, and maybe some mints!
Keep your perfume or aftershave to a minimum – you don’t want to overpower your interviewer!
Minimise all tattoos and piercings
Be prepared. The day of an interview can be a little hectic so pick out what you are going to wear the day before.
Do your laundry. Noticing a stain or mark on your best interview suit at the last minute is to be avoided.
Also if you take your mobile phone – make sure it is switched off or on silent!
Our consultants at OPR in Woking are here to help so if you are unsure on what to wear please do give us a call on 01483 729222….