Although it’d be great if the whole world was completely enlightened and never judged you on your appearance, that’s not how things work in reality, especially when it comes to interview day. In fact, when you approach a company for a job, they’re probably even more concerned about what you’re wearing than people in your day to day life. According to research by The Ladders Recruitment agency, 37 percent of employers said that they had rejected people based on what they were wearing. Getting your style right, therefore, is extremely important. Here are some fashion tips for your big interview day.
Tidy Up Your Hair Do you suffer from bed hair? It might be preventing you from getting the job you want. Those with messy hair tend to appear more unkempt, which could impact employability. As a result, choose styles which help to keep hair under control. If you have especially wavy and frizzy hair, styling it in a way that keeps it away from the face is a must. A ponytail or a bun works really well if you’re in that particular predicament.
Also, if you’ve got a tendency to fiddle with your hair when you get nervous, try pinning it to your head. Fiddling with your hair is a sign of nervousness and can get in the way of the conversation at interview.
Cover Tattoos Body art might be in vogue right now, but the business community has yet to catch up. Many hiring managers still associate tattoos with a certain type of person (not usually the kind of person they would want working at their establishment). If you have tattoos all over your arms, trying covering them up. If you have tattoos in places you can’t hide, like your face or neck, there are plenty of places where you can have them permanently removed. Just have a look for the best tattoo removal clinics online. The odd tattoo will usually go unnoticed, by excessive body art can get in the way of your career.
Wear “Business Casual” Most employers these days have said goodbye to formal workwear. For many, this is a relief, but it has made it more difficult to know exactly what to wear at the office. More than 50 percent of employers now say that the days of suits are over, but it’s not yet clear what they should be replaced with.
There are, however, some general guidelines for women. Chris Smith, the CEO of a job matching website, says that women shouldn’t wear skirts that are shorter than about six inches above the knee. It is also a good idea, he says, to combine one smart item with one casual item. For instance, you could wear a blazer with chinos or cords.
Go All Out On Footwear One area where business casual doesn’t seem to apply is women’s footwear. High heels are still in vogue in many workplaces – as are pointed toes. But if you prefer flats because you don’t want to fall over, then these are acceptable for interview day too.
Good luck on your interview! We hope you get the job of your dreams!
Written by Jacqueline Chambers
Jacqueline Chambers is the founder of TGIFguide. She uses her innate skills as a natural “connector” to serve businesses, brands and individuals in the LA area and beyond.
