Promotions, job interviews, travel opportunities, relocation, and other factors often lead us to that dreaded interview process. Anxiety and nerves creep their way into the forefront of our mind preventing us from truly being ourselves. Interviews are just nerve racking and that is the reality.
I will be honest and say that most of the jobs that I have interviewed for in the past, I have been under qualified for. But that hasn’t stopped me from attaining the jobs I have wanted in many cases. And I say that because I truly believe that confidence can often makes up for lack of experience. So much of our confidence has to do with appearance. Whether or not that is a good thing, it is the truth.
So how can we dress in a way that is true to ourselves, but will also give us that push in the right direction when it comes to landing a job we really want? These simple tips will help you to dress the part and kill it at your next interview.
1. Job Awareness
Simply spending a few minutes researching the company you are working for and learning about their day to day operations can give a huge hint as to how to dress for an interview or meet and greet. Obviously if you are interviewing for a fashion job, you will want to look trendy, but professional. If it is a corporate position, a pant suit might be best. Or if it will involve manual labor, dress more business casual. In all potential job opportunity meetings, you want to err on the side of professional. But just keep in mind the company’s daily operations.
2. Don’t You Dare Skip Ironing
I don’t care if you have to steam your clothes from shower steam in your hotel room, you better make sure those clothes are not wrinkly! Unpressed clothes display a sense of carelessness, and that is definitely not going to help you land your dream job!
3. Pay Attention to the Details
Did you forget earrings? Is your perfume too strong? Is your makeup too bold? Unless you are interviewing for a makeup job, you want to keep your look more clean and sophisticated. Think simple. Try not to wear bold lipstick and a strong smelling fragrance. These details can be extremely distracting and cause the interviewer to think of things other than how qualified you are for the job.
One of the greatest interview compliments that I have ever received was simply standing up and shaking their hand. It is so sad that these simple gestures have slipped through the cracks of this modern age.
Do you have any crazy interview experiences? I would love to read them in the comments?
