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Dressing
for the interview
Well,
he seemed to have it all right. Dark coloured pants, and a light
coloured shirt, a pleasant smile followed by a greeting… and unpolished,
scuffed leather shoes. It took no longer than a few seconds for
the interviewer to change his first good impression of the candidate.
Why
is paying attention to clothing important?
Clothes
maketh the man/woman… This is much truer during an interview, as
clothes
- Communicate
about who we are and how well we fit into the company.
- Play
a distinct role in creating a good first impression.
Employers
irrespective of the position, look for candidates who take their
job seriously and therefore your clothes, accessories, shoes, bag
all add to your image you are projecting during the interview.
All
of us have distinct styles of communicating about ourselves. Therefore,
it is just as important to plan your physical appearance as gearing
up to answer questions.
General
guidelines
- Your
clothes should convey a professional image.
- Dress
conservatively, unless specified otherwise.
- When
in doubt, opt for the conservative style.
- Always
wear clean and neat clothing; make sure it is pressed.
- Plan
a separate interview wardrobe.
- If
possible, before your interview, find out how people dress at
the place of employment.
- Avoid
overdressing, as it is more likely to turn the interviewer off.
- Make
sure you are comfortable in the clothes that you are wearing –
unfamiliar or tight clothing might affect your performance
- Avoid
loud and gaudy colours.
- Use
mild deodorants instead of overpowering colognes and perfumes.
Dressing
tips for men
- Suits
or shirt and tie, preferably light shirt and dark coloured pant.
- Tie
should be silk with a conservative pattern
- Learn
how to tie a good knot in your tie
- Go
for the clean-shaven look unless you are sporting a well-groomed
beard.
- Moustache
should be neatly trimmed.
- Carry
a clean hanky in your pocket
- Have
clean, recently cut, and neatly brushed hair
- Clean
polished dark conservative shoes and dark socks.
- Do
not have visible body piercing (rings, earrings)
- Carry
a light briefcase or portfolio case
Tips
for women
- A
saree, salwar or suit as per the job profile.
- Simple
clothes and quiet colours are most suitable.
-
Use conservative sandals or polished shoes that goes well with
your clothes.
- Be
sure that your jewellery accentuates your professional attire
rather than detracting from it
- Use
minimal makeup.
- Avoid
noise-making jewelry such as anklets, bracelets.
- Hair
should be neatly trimmed and conservative. Hair color should look
natural.
- Avoid
jarring nail polish colours, unclean nails.
- Avoid
very tight clothes and high-heeled shoes.
- Carry
a briefcase instead of purse.
Clothing
and accessories do not have to be expensive to make a good impression,
but they should always be in good taste and clean. They should also
be toned down rather than wild or extravagant. They should convey
simplicity and comfort.
You
want the interviewer's attention to be focused on you, not on your
clothes.
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