How to dress for success in an interview

Dress for Success

Dress for success: now there is a cliché if ever there was one, but it’s also very true. If you want to be a success in the business world you need to dress the part, but before you start planning your wardrobe for long business lunches and conferences overseas, you need to overcome one important hurdle – the job interview – where dressing for success takes on a whole new meaning.

We live in a world that emphasises being true to yourself, but we also live in a world where recession is one of the most used and feared words going around. Jobs are thin on the ground and competition is fierce, which is why you need to make the best first impression possible and why you need to dress to showcase your professionalism and your drive for success.  Conservative is the way to go when it comes to interview attire; no tie-dye shirts, hoodies or jeans, instead wear an elegant ladies corporate skirt or trousers in black, grey or navy blue and pair it with a classic white blouse. Other work wear items for that all important job interview include natural coloured hosiery and closed shoes.

If men want to dress for success and nail their interviews, they also need to remember the basics: a suit that fits well in black, grey or navy, white or blue long-sleeved shirt and well-shined men’s corporate shoes. The little details are just as important for men as they are for women dressing for success, for instance, white socks are a no-no, as are loud ties and ostentatious jewellery. Earrings for men are not completely taboo, as long as they are discreet. Tattoos, however, are best covered up.

Try to find out what the dress-code is for the company where you’re applying for a job, that way you can get a good idea of just how well you need to dress to make a success of your interview. But, whatever the dress-code, always try to dress a little bit smarter than you would if you worked there, being overdressed is always better than being underdressed especially when you’re trying to get the edge over dozens of other job applicants. Fresh breath is important, but don’t go into the interview chewing gum or sucking mints and while you don’t want to exude body odour, you don’t want to overpower interviewers with perfume or aftershave either. Experts recommend that to make a success of your interview, you need to not only dress the part, you need to smell it too, that means good deodorant and if you really must, a light sprinkling of subtle perfume or aftershave.

Job interviews are all about distinguishing yourself above others, which means that you probably don’t want to blend in with all the other applicants. Dressing conservatively doesn’t mean you have to be bland, you can add personal touches with your jewellery (just don’t overdo it), your hair (but keep it neat), your handbag or even your shoes (as long as they’re not sneakers) and still present an image of a driven professional on the road to success.

There are few taboos that you might not want to break, for example, men should never wear short sleeve shirts, even with a tie; women shouldn’t wear anything sleeveless; don’t try to wear the latest fashions, rather stick to tried and tested basics; swap the sexy stilettos for sensible mid-height heels; don’t wear cheap tacky jewellery, and this includes digital watches; men should take extra care with their ties, anything that ends well above or below the waist is definitely unprofessional.

Lastly, if you really want to dress for success you need to be comfortable. Even the best suit in the world looks awkward on someone who feels awkward in it. Don’t wear something brand new that you haven’t had time to wear in yet, wear something you know looks good on you and that always looks neat.