Author
Denis PopovContent:
The interview is a key moment during which you must prove that you are the ideal candidate for this position. In addition to skills and experience, the impression you make on the employer also matters. Body language or the way you speak is one thing, but your interview attire is also crucial. How to create an image in such a way as to increase self-confidence and please the recruiter? Discover the rules and ready-made stylizations that you will remember.
Whether you're just starting in your career or have a lot of experience, an interview is a pretty stressful event. You have a few tens of minutes to convince a potential employer and prove that you are the perfect candidate for this job. Recruiters have always recognized that it is important for them to follow the relevant rules, not only when it comes to creating a resume. Interview clothing is one of the first things that HR professionals look at during an interview. Remember that first impression are often the most important and determine your success. An appropriate dress code during the interview will prove that you care about the position and want to show your best, and this can positively influence recruiters' decisions. What rules should be followed and what should be avoided?
Not only that, you have to go through all the circles of "interview" hell - with uncomfortable questions, and the need to please and advertise yourself. To maximize your chances of getting a job, you also need to look special! This is not a trifle at all: the task of the applicant at the interview is to show himself in the best possible light from all sides.
First, your appearance is what people notice at the very beginning. The first impression is based on it, and it is not easy to change it. No matter how rational a recruiter is, the first, intuitive reaction will influence his judgments and decisions.
Second, stylish, well-matched, appropriate clothing tells the recruiter that you:
sane, adequate, mentally healthy person;
want to get the job for which you came to the interview;
make an effort to please;
be able to fit into the corporate culture.
Thirdly, you, realizing that you look good, will feel more confident in the interview. And confidence will help create the image of a strong professional and a pleasant person to communicate with.
To do this, you need to do a little research. There are many ways, choose any.
Go to the company website and look at the photos of the employees. Pay attention to what they are wearing.
Find friends, acquaintances, extended family, former classmates, or social media followers who work for the company you're interviewing for. Ask them about formal and informal dress codes.
Look on the site for the names of employees who hold a position similar to yours, find them on social networks (Facebook and LinkedIn are the priority) and study the appearance in “professional” photos.
Take a walk past the company office at lunchtime or the end of the work day. See what employees are wearing when they leave the office.
When it comes to interviews, it's almost impossible to look "too" good. Of course, if you come to chat with the HR of a fashion design studio about the position of a producer or creative director and you are dressed in a strict office suit, then you will feel out of place, and your interlocutor will suspect that you do not quite understand the specifics of the work and " context".
In all other cases, it’s not scary if you look a little more formal and “ceremonial” than the company employees you pass by in the corridor. In the end, your task is to please, and you must fit the role.
The applicant at the interview must look neat, literally from the needle. Even if the style of clothing adopted by the company is casual, this does not mean that you can come in wrinkled things covered with stains or animal hair. An expensive suit can also work against you - if it does not fit you well.
It will be better if your clothes do not distract the recruiter's attention from you. Avoid unnecessary or too catchy jewellery, complex cuts and decor, and bright prints. This does not mean that the image should be boring: it will be great if you compliment the classic, “basic” things with a high-quality bag or briefcase made of genuine leather, expensive watches, and glasses with an unusual frame.
Pay attention to the colour scheme of your kit. Universal options - things in grey and blue tones, diluted with classic black and white, complemented by slightly brighter details.
Imagine an insurance agent who inspires unconditional trust. Now, remember the designer, advertising specialist, copywriter, and SMM specialist. Surely they have very different looks.
When choosing clothes for an interview, try to meet the expectations, perhaps even stereotypes associated with the profession - this will prove to the recruiter that you understand the industry and will easily join the team.
If you're interviewing for a managerial position, your choice is a dark business suit in a classic or more modern cut (depending on the industry). A woman can come to a meeting in a trouser suit or a jacket and skirt. Perhaps, already working in a company, you can afford to look different, but at the interview, you will have to play the role of a “big boss”.
You can have a good, well-chosen outfit, but if your shoes look worn or uncomfortable for some reason, the whole image will suffer.
If your job search drags on and finding money for expensive shoes is difficult, remind yourself that this is an investment in yourself, in your career and in comfort at work (after all, when you start work, you will need shoes or boots, and every day).
Recruiters pay attention to details, both in the choice of words and in the choice of clothing. So remember that the hairstyle, nails and makeup for the interview should be perfectly matched. As in the case of clothing, it is best to choose the classics. One of the common missteps is too spectacular, sometimes even provocative makeup. Choose basic eyeshadow colours, and a delicate foundation and even out your skin tone well - you should look professional and classy. Nails are an equally important part of your image, they should be neat and gentle. Make sure that the cuticle is neatly cut, and the nail plate can be covered with a colourless varnish or conditioner. If you want to add colour to them, choose nude shades. The hairstyle for an interview should be, above all, modest. There is no place for an "artistic mess" that will show disrespect to the recruiter. If you're going to an interview in the summer, you can symmetrically clip your hairpins or create a modest bun - especially on hot days. Winter is a great time for straight, flowing hair or slightly wavy strands.
No matter what outfit you end up choosing, it must be flawless. Pay attention to this not only when you apply for a high position, for example, the head of a department. When interviewing for a junior position, the same rules apply. Neat, well-ironed and, above all, spotlessly clean clothing is essential, without exception. Remember that HR professionals pay attention to details. Choosing an elegant outfit and making sure it looks flawless is a signal that you will also become a diligent and dedicated employee. The best thing to do is prepare your suit for the interview ahead of time, get up in the morning and make sure that every element of your shirt is precisely ironed and that there are no stains on your trousers. Knowing that you look professional will boost your self-confidence, making you an even better impression on your potential employer.
It is customary to go to the interview in a white men's shirt. Of course, nothing prevents you from choosing this iconic model, especially if you are trying for a high position. However, sometimes it is worth breaking the tradition and introducing a slightly different colour into your image. A blue men's shirt with an elegant, minimalist cut is ideal. The fewer decorations and details, the better. Are you wondering why this colour would be perfect? Image experts have long proven that the colour blue inspires confidence and makes interlocutors perceive us as competent and worthy of a particular position. Moreover, in the company of blue, almost every face seems bright and energetic - such a shirt will decorate your image and distract from any signs of lack of sleep, fatigue or stress.
Some men also consider wearing a black shirt for interviews. Much depends on the company you are applying to and the prevailing dress code in it. Currently, most departments do not require strict rules to be followed during an interview. If you are sure that in this company you have a lot of freedom when it comes to clothes, use them during the meeting! Put on a black shirt and trousers or classic jeans, but they must be in a classic cut. Loose models or joggers that already fit into the sporty style will not be useful to you. Less formal wear is fine if you're applying for a creative position, such as a graphic designer. In similar industries – and start-ups, for example – open-mindedness, a head full of ideas, and flexibility are important – you can easily emphasize this approach to life with your clothes. Crafted from quality denim with minimalist décor, interview jeans are a stylish and elegant solution that will appeal to every fan of smart casual style. You won't make a mistake if you wear an elegant shirt tucked into your trousers with them. Add a black or brown leather belt here - it is best to choose a model with a matte finish that will emphasize the business nature of your style.
Some interviews have their own rules. In some cases, you just need to come in business trousers and a shirt and choose a matching tie. Although this accessory is not necessary for less formal meetings, choosing a business suit is still worth adding a tie to it. This is especially important in the case of leadership or managerial positions, when it is necessary to prove full professionalism, not only in terms of skills and competencies. Wear a tie with a formal suit and impress your future employer! Which model should you choose to avoid a fashion faux pas and show recruiters that you are fashion savvy? What should be remembered and what should be avoided?
A tie for an interview is primarily a matter of colour. The main rule is to choose a tie darker than a shirt so that the accessory stands out a little on the material of your top. So if you're looking for a shirt in a blue hue - as we mentioned, inspiring confidence - and you want to add a tie to the styling, bet on a dark blue accessory. Avoid eye-catching cobalt and blue for less formal occasions. It would also be a bad idea to choose, for example, a red or green tie - such an intense play of colours can distract recruiters and present you in a very unfavourable light. For lovers of elegant men's watches, we recommend choosing a watch to match the colour of a tie or betting on a timeless option - a silver watch.
During some business meetings, you'll make the best impression by forgoing the classic suit. Keep in mind that many companies will welcome a looser style during the interview. In this case, choose a dress shirt - make sure it has the simplest cut, without contrasting seams or prints. Pair it with pants in a versatile colour like black or navy. The best choice would be, of course, chinos, i.e. fabric models with characteristic pockets on the front and their imitation on the back. In summer, you can do without outerwear, but on colder days, do not forget about an elegant jacket in a solid colour.
In winter and transitional seasons, a well-cut men's coat, fastened with two rows of buttons, designed in an elegant aesthetic, will be indispensable. If you are not a fan of this type of clothing and the nature of your interview will not be too formal, choose a men's jacket with a simple classic cut. Also, wear an elegant scarf and leather gloves to add class to your look. Shoes are extremely important, although men often do not notice them. If you choose a suit, bet on men's round-toed shoes in leather or suede. In smart casual styles, less formal shoes are welcome, for example, low shoes with a slightly sporty cut. However, avoid thick-soled sneakers unless your employer has made it clear that they don't mind jeans, sneakers, or t-shirts with casual prints. Then you should take this into account when drawing up the outfit - you will show recruiters that you care about adapting to the company and that the conditions that prevail in it are ideal for you.
An interview is a perfect opportunity to show your best side and prove that you are the perfect fit for the position. During the meeting, take care not only to correctly present your advantages and experience, but also about body language, gesture control and, of course, clothing. It is worth adapting it not only to the occasion but also to the company you are applying to!
Appearance may not be so scrupulous, but a few tips on the right colour can help you.
Grey. The main colour is recommended when applying for a job. It is associated with professionalism and calmness, neutrality, willingness to work, and consistency. Gray is elegant. In order not to look boring and insecure, use different textures in a grey set and brighter colours in accessories.
A man in a dark grey suit, a light grey shirt, a blue-eyed tie, and dark blue boots - unless, of course, the company has a strict dress code - will give the impression of a serious, but an original person. Gray will indicate a willingness to work in a team and listen to the opinions of their colleagues.
Blue. If you are applying for a managerial position, bet on blue. Intelligence, professionalism, trust and reliability, efficiency, authority - that's what they "read" from the blue. In a business environment, muted blue is preferable to bright shades: it is emotionally soothing.
But blue can look aloof, so it's best to combine it with colours that don't create contrast - unless you want to come across as an introverted person or an authoritarian leader. Therefore, a shirt of a softer shade, not a snow-white one, will suit a blue jacket or cardigan.
Violet. If you are looking for a job in a creative environment, purple is worth using along with bright blue. Associations with this colour are creativity, originality, and self-confidence. But a lot of purples are not suitable for an interview: limit yourself to splashes of violet or lilac, which go well with blue and grey.
Green. Not the best colour in this situation. Associations with spring and the first green speak of youth, incompetence and lack of professionalism, especially light green or bright shades. Dark green can seem boring. Red, orange and yellow quickly tire the interlocutor and can irritate. Red is emotionally exciting and, according to some, even contributes to an increase in pressure, so you definitely should not experiment with it. If you gravitate towards red, use its darker shades in accessories or shoes.
Shiny fabrics and clothes with lurex, sequins and contrasting patterns are undesirable for an interview. It is better not to use an eclectic style: wearing a classic jacket with a printed T-shirt should not be worn either in a business environment or in a creative environment if nothing is known about you yet - you can give the impression of a frivolous person.
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