In a world where your first impression is now your resume and the second impression is when a potential employer meets you for the first time, it is important to dress appropriately for an interview.
CC Reflection: Going to an interview is tough enough without having to worry about how you look.
Recently I have been trying to teach my niece, who is new to the working world, how to dress when going in to ask for an application and if extremely lucky, an on-the-spot interview. My niece thinks the more skin she shows the better her chances are of getting hired. This strategy did work for her when she filled out an application at a certain fast food restaurant; she was even hired until they noticed her actual date of birth. Apparently you have to be 18 and because of the way she was dressed and her build they thought she was older than she was. I sat her down and gave her some tips on how she should dress and what she should NOT wear. I’m going to share these tips with you so you can be better prepared to dress for your interview.
How you dress for an interview communicates to an interviewer how you will dress coming to work (if not wearing a uniform), how seriously you take the interview, and your respect for the company. No matter the type of job you are interviewing for, always dress up for the interview. This is YOUR first personal impression to an interviewer. Your resume got you the interview; therefore how you dress for the interview can very well get you the job or cause you to lose it.
First we will start with basic tips for men and women alike.
- ALWAYS bathe before an interview
- Use deodorant
- Brush your teeth
- Groom your hair
- Wear appropriate undergarments
The above tips seem simple and everyone should know this, but you would be surprised how many times I have seen people come in for an interview and have done none of the above. Even if applying for a manual labor job, always follow the above tips. If you stink at the interview, they are not going to want you to stink up the office or warehouse or even the company truck.
For women there are more guidelines that should be followed than there are for men, which is why we are leaving the men for last. These tips will dress you from head to foot with confidence that you look professional and ready to take on any challenge.
- A suit with a matching jacket would be the best thing you can wear
- Dresses should NOT come any higher than half an inch above the knee, and half an inch below the knee
- If wearing a skirt or dress, panty hose is recommended
- Slips should be worn underneath dresses or skirts
- Slacks should be pressed and ironed with the crease in the middle
- Slacks should be the correct length for you, not dragging on the floor or waiting for high tide
- Stockings or pantyhose are still recommended, even if wearing slacks
- A blouse or shirt that is NOT cut low, accompanied with a jacket, preferably one that you can button
- Closed toe shoes with a low heel
- Your hair should be pulled back, away from your face and neat
- Keep nails trimmed and clean
- Always try on the outfit the day before to be sure it fits well, you do not want to be bursting out at the seams
- Bring your portfolio, that will complete your professional look
We’ve concentrated on female dress and now will take a break before heading into what you guys out there need to know. Our next read will be published in a few days. Until then, keep your shoes shined and never forget one of the most important first impression cues: your smile.
Penned by Sharon Parker,
Your CC Connection
