INTERVIEW STYLE GUIDE
The first rule of dressing for interviews is:
Dress the part! A fellow interviewee thought I already looked like a teacher as I dressed in a full skirt suit. It will make you feel confident and I'm sure it makes a good impression. Dress smartly but comfortably. One girl who had obviously bought a brand new suit and 3 inch heels: her nerves got the better of her, and she twisted her ankle by teetering along, 5 minutes before the interview, so my advice definitely is FLAT SHOES! Interviewees for teaching posts |
YOU CANNOT GO WRONG BY BEING BORING AND CONVENTIONAL!
Whatever the job, you want the interviewer to remember you for your personality and performance: not as "the one with the garish tie/short skirt/nose stud ....". Once you have the job, you can wear whatever the employer approves of. But you need to get the job first - so play safe! If you look really smart it will give a big boost to your confidence.
A survey conducted by TheLadders.co.uk management careers company found for senior male and female executives conducting interviews. 37% had decided against hiring a candidate due to the way they were dressed. Traditional formal interview dress is the most likely to impress them whereas the biggest turnoffs involved casual casual dress,
36% felt co-ordination of colours and styles was an important indicator of the candidate’s personality whilst 75% wanted clothes appropriate for the circumstances. 33% considered whether the candidate’s style suited their organisation.
Orange was the worst colour to wear at interview (95%) of executives felt it unacceptable, with red 84% and pink 83% also thought inappropriate. Stains and dirty marks turned off 59% of executives.
“Stick to safe corporate colours navy, black. Wear a suit or dress and jacket. Keep heels elegant rather than teeteringly high. A skirt suit is more feminine than trousers. Keep make up soft, do not wear too much jewellery. Beware of showing too much flesh, cleavage or leg and of dressing too casually. Aim to be well groomed, elegant and professional, you will have more confidence and this will come across to the interviewer.”
Gabrielle Teare - Fashion Stylist
Senior executives conducting interviews. |
Male candidates |
Female candidates |
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Where can I buy a suit for an interview?
Marks and Spencer's sell suits for about £50 which look smart. They have a machine washable range at around £100. They are good for both advice and assistance too! Next and Burtons are sell suits at around £100, Asda sell suits for about £30 minimum and Tesco sell smart suits for about £40 (2008 prices). Matalan and Primark also sell very cheap suits. A very cheap suit may be a false economy as you may not be able to wear it many times before it goes out of shape.
The basics for interview dress for
men and women are:
Move your mouse over the figures to
find out.
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Move your mouse over the figures above.
and what you should look like .....
Well perhaps a comb might help!
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BODY LANGUAGE
While you don't need to book an appointment in the beauty parlour the
| "His socks compelled one's attention without losing one's respect" Saki |
day before the interview, it is a good idea to:
- Have your hair cut and styled.
- Make sure your nails are trimmed and clean (for that first handshake ...)
- Avoid heavy perfume or aftershave
- Hide any piercings or tattoos.
- Keep make up light and unobtrusive (this is often seen as looking more businesslike than no make-up); don't overdo it.
- See also our body language quiz
Unusual statements made at interview
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With thanks to Overlib