Happy Monday!
I have some exciting news (well, exciting for me). I had an interview today! Guess my cover letter writing skills worked out in my favor.
As such, I thought it would be pertinent to discuss one of the quintessential aspects of the interview process: looking the part. Obviously you want to do all your research and be prepared, but dressing well does make a difference in how you're perceived. First impressions matter - it's just a factor of human nature.
To help makes things easier, here are some tips on what (and what not) to wear for a job interview:
Match the vibe of your industry/organization. So we all probably have a general idea about what a good "interview outfit" looks like. The first thing that comes to mind is probably something along the lines of:
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| Outfits like this are great for super conservative corporate jobs, but they can cause you to blend in with the crowd. Source |
The classic black suit is all well and good, but unless your work environment is going to be very formal (like a big corporate firm), it might be too stiff. Working for a start-up or non-profit probably isn't going to require that kind of dress code. A great thing to do before an interview is to go on the company website and see if there are any photos of employees. That should give you an idea of what everyday work wear looks like. A good rule of thumb is to take their dress code and make it slightly dressier. That way, you'll look like you'd actually fit in with the other employees while still showing that you made an effort to look nice.
Get creative (within reason). So some of you might be thinking "what do I even wear if not a plain black suit?". Well, the possibilities are endless! Okay, maybe not endless. There's definitely an end. Don't walk in wearing a banana suit or anything.
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| Unless you're interviewing to be a Banana Suit Salesman -- no, even then you still shouldn't. Source |
My point is that you can definitely bring in pieces of your own personal fashion style to an interview. Don't be afraid to add some color or interesting patterns - as long as you don't overdo. In terms of feminine wear, a colored dress and blazer combo are a great way to break the monotony of pant suits. Dresses/skirts are great because they come in so many different styles and colors - you can give the interviewer a taste of your personality just based on your outfit choice. Just avoid anything neon or too ostentatious.
Three different ways to add pops of color for ladies! Source
And three ways for men! Admittedly, men's fashion isn't as varied. These are kind of all the same outfit? Source
Wear shoes that you're comfortable in. This is probably more relevant for people who choose to wear high heels, but men's shoes can probably vary in comfort level too. As much as the added height of a stiletto might make you feel more confident, wearing shoes that make it difficult to walk isn't a great idea. If you insist on heels, keep the heel itself 2 inches or lower. Otherwise, opt for flats! Not only can they be stylish (and another pop of color, if you wish), but they tend to be a lot more comfortable. Comfort in general will help ease some pre-interview stress.
Don't wear a backpack. I know, backpacks are totally useful and they've almost become an extension of your body after more than a decade as a student. However, they're not exactly interview material. The last thing you want to do is to remind your employer that you're fresh out of school. Remember: you could very well be in competition with people who have been out of school for a long while. Having a briefcase, structured purse/bag, or a portfolio will seal the deal in terms of your professional appearance.
Don't break the bank. As a professional Broke College Student™, I know how important it is to save money when I can. Despite the importance of looking put-together for an interview, you don't need an Armani suit. Discount stores like Marshalls and TJMaxx are a great way to get fancy designer outfits without the fancy designer price. If you're really low on cash, there's also no shame in hitting up Goodwill/Buffalo Exchange. You'll feel even better about your interview outfit knowing you got an awesome deal on it.
Further reading, if you so choose: here are some links to articles I used as reference!
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| Also referenced: years of watching TLC and kinda wishing I had Stacy's distinguished gray streak. |
Now go off and interview in style!
Signing off,
Kelly F. Vieira
Class of 2015
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