Interview dress is very important. The interviewer will judge your clothes as an indication of your personal character. If you are sloppily dressed, the interviewer will assume that you are a sloppy worker. If your shoes are not polished, then he may assume that you don’t pay attention to details.
Since what you’re wearing plays such an important part in your interview, make sure that you get it right. Your clothes don’t have to have designer labels, but they do need to be appropriate and send the right message.
I will write posts specifically pertaining to what men and women should wear to an interview, but first I wanted to talk about universal principles for interview dress. Here is a quick list:
1.Wear clothes that are appropriate for business – your pants or skirt should be dressy and your shirt should be dressy too. Overall, business clothing is very conservative, so keep that in mind when you make your selection.
2.Be certain that your clothing is clean, mended and ironed. Interviewers will notice wrinkled clothing.
3.If you have piercings, they need to be removed. The only exception is that women can wear simple earrings. Make sure that you only have one hole in each ear. If less traditional piercings are your style, it is important that you save those for after work hours.
4.If you have body art or tattoos, make sure that they are covered if at all possible. Some people have stereotypical ideas of what people who have tattoos are like. You don’t want them to assume that you fit into that stereotype. I realize that this is unfair, but unfortunately that’s how the world works. Now isn’t the time to protest – you just need a job.
5.Don’t wear hats or tinted glasses. You give the impression that you are hiding something. Also, some people view you as less honest if they can’t see your eyes or if your face is hidden behind a hat brim.