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

Positive
Impression

  • black socks 77%
  • black leather shoes 56%
  • tailored navy single breasted suit 51%
  • white or blue long sleeved shirt 48%
  • cufflinks 37%
  • low key tie 35%
  • no handkerchief showing 35%
  • tights 94%
  • high heels 69%
  • mid-length black skirt or dress 64%
  • pearls 56%
  • long sleeved and collared shirt or blouse 42%

Negative
Impression

  • no tie 52% no jacket 50%
  • chinos 50%
  • polo shirts 66%
  • jeans 82%
  • T shirts 88%
  • leather jackets 70%
  • dangling jewellery 99%
  • big shoulder pads 97%
  • low necklines 95%
  • bare legs 94%
  • sports shoes 91%
  • short skirt 60%


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.

Move your mouse over the figures above.

and what you should look like .....

TidyMan.jpg (12312 bytes)

Well perhaps a comb might help!

TidyGirl.jpg (10938 bytes)

 

  • Conventional dark-coloured suit (black, navy or charcoal grey are good) with a conservative shirt: plain pastel shades or modest stripes and dark polished shoes.
  • Wear a belt and dark coloured tie.
  • Don't wear light coloured socks or too much aftershave!
  • Conventional suit or coordinating jacket and knee-length skirt. Dark colours suggest authority but bright can work with care.
  • Wear tights.
  • Don't wear lots of frills, trousers unless smart, low cut tops, or lots of make-up, perfume or jewellery.
  • Make sure your hair is neat and tidy.
  • Very high heels are not wise - it's important to feel comfortable in what you are wearing.

 

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:

 

Unusual statements made at interview

  • I have no difficulty in starting or holding my bowel movements.
  • My legs are really hairy
  • I think I'm going to throw up
  • I feel uneasy indoors
  • Sometimes I feel like smashing things
  • In a previous life I was Genghis Khan
  • Women should not be allowed to drink in cocktail bars
  • I get excited very easily
  • Once a week I feel hot all over
  • I am fascinated by fire
  • I like tall women
  • People are always watching me
  • I NEVER get hungry
  • I would have been more successful if nobody had snitched on me

 

With thanks to Overlib