How to dress for an interview

05 Jan, 2018 - 00:01 0 Views

eBusiness Weekly

Chipo Sabeta
The first impressions matter when you go to any interview. This is why effort is made to dress to the nines.Of course, what really matters in an interview are your skills and experience plus the nature of the questions being asked, and one’s ability to tackle them.

But in today’s job market where employers must choose from many qualified candidates, the right outfit with the right colours can set you apart from the pack. Companies might interview dozens or even hundreds of people for one position and an appropriate interview attire will be more important than ever.

Interviewees need to pay attention to everything, from what they wear and how they are groomed to their body language; for success. If the interviewer feels positive towards you on the first look, he or she is likely will listen with higher expectation of your abilities. But if the interviewer is immediately turned off by your appearance, you will have to move mountains to convince the interviewer.

Cynthia Bizure Sithole, Jan Jam fashionista, said the first impression can affect an interviewer’s attitude towards you throughout the evaluation process. Sithole has suggested guidelines that are commonly accepted as appropriate for any interviewing platform. She said the first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one.

“The first judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. Your dress, grooming, facial expression, the way you enter the room and your handshake all contribute to this impression. The way you dress sends an immediate message as well. Even when a work environment has a casual dress code, hiring managers may prefer you dress professionally for the interview. Dressing professionally is always your safest approach unless you are told otherwise,” said Sithole.

While men’s fashion is relatively straightforward, Sithole said it is imperative for women to look polished and professional with their choices when going for an interview. She believes that a formal black trousers, dress or skirt is a ‘must’ for every woman.

“A pair of classic black slacks is an essential part of a woman’s interview wardrobe. It’s  worth it to invest in a pair of quality black dress pants that fit well and will hold up after many wears. Once you have a good pair, it’s easy to dress them up or dress them down. Every woman must have a black formal trouser, dress and skirt with a bit of creativity, black dress pants don’t have to be boring.

“Shoes should be conservative and fairly low-heeled.  Don’t wear shoes with an open toe or back. Your hair should be neat, clean, and conservatively styled. The idea is to look polished and professional, not to advertise what a creative genius your hairdresser is,” said Sithole.

She also suggested that men should pick their interview attire thoughtfully, adding that there was no denying that it can be difficult to assemble an interview attire.

“You don’t have to spend a lot of money to figure out what to wear for your interview. Fortunately, men’s fashion is relatively straightforward. Using a few basic pieces, it’s easy to put up. This man’s grey suit, with a colourful button down and sweater underneath, gives him a look that is modern and stylish but still work-place appropriate,” added Sithole.

Adding colour is a good to one’s interview wardrobe. Edgars and Jet fashion model, Diana Machakaire, believes colour is one important but often overlooked aspect of an interviewee’s first impression. Machakaire said interview suits should be simple and dark in colour. She added that anything tight, bright, short, or sheer should absolutely be avoided at all costs.

“The colour of your clothing sends a subconscious message to the interviewer about your personality. The bright colours can help convey your confidence, professionalism and your ability to fit into an organisation’s environment. Do not wear bright colours, animal prints, or anything lacy, sheer, or low-cut,” said Machakaire.

She explained that an interviewee must convey feelings of calm, trust, and confidence and not drama.

White is seen as a great colour for shirts and blouses as it conveys truth and simplicity, adding a bit of brightness without being too overwhelming. Similarly, black is a popular colour for suits and dresses in interviews, but is a commanding colour that conveys confidence and not drama. At the same time, grey is also seen as another great neutral colour for interview outfits and it allows one to look powerful. Machakaire said brown is a neutral colour that evokes feelings of calm.

“It is a great, solid, neutral colour for any interview. Red is a bright, powerful colour that conveys energy and passion whilst blue, particularly navy, is another great neutral colour for interview outfits.”

 

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