A good CV will get you an interview but it’s then up to you to impress your interviewer… And this can sometimes be easier said than done.
Image is everything and it doesn’t matter what you say, if you don’t look the part you will be judged for it. Give yourself the upper hand with a great interview outfit.
First impressions
Psychologists believe that only a small part of being successful in a job interview is down to what you say. Over 90% of an interviewer’s opinion of you is made up of HOW you say your answers, your job interview body language and, of course, how you look.
Although many believe ‘attractive’ people have an advantage, it’s really down to how you present yourself. Make an effort and it WILL count.
Plan your outfit
It may sound silly but if you’re offered a job interview, build your outfit into your must-do job interview preparation. Read the job ad and see what the job involves. For example, if the role requires you to go to lots of meetings then dress as you would if you were working for them and attending the meetings (think uber-smart!).
A great idea is to check out the company dress code – if it’s not on their website then wander past the office when you get a chance and see what everyone else is wearing. Although you should always go smarter for an interview, you don’t need to wear a crisp suit if it’s a company that encourages casual wear.
If in doubt, dress smarter
Never dress down to an interview. "If someone wants a job, I expect them to have made an effort with their appearance," says Julie Phillips, HR director at leading advertising agency Ogilvy Mather. "Candidates have to show intelligence and a passion to work here. If they arrive looking scruffy, they have to work even harder in the interview."
Stand out but don’t be too wacky
The fashion advice team at John Lewis Oxford Street says it is wise to take a low-key approach to looking individual at an interview. They advise candidates to just add an interesting accessory (a brooch for women, for example, or a bright tie for men) to well-tailored clothes if they want to stand out from the crowd.
Just for the girls...
Make an effort: Women who wear subtle make-up earn 23% more than women who go without, according to the Hamermesh-Biddle project. Make-up emphasises eyes and mouth (the primary means of communication).
Cover up: According to the Azziz Corporation, 88% of people feel that it is unacceptable to display a bare midriff in the workplace, making it less acceptable than visible tattoos (77%), body piercings (69%) and low-cut tops (64%).
Suits command respect: Women have so many choices that they often shy away from the more formal suit, and could sometimes been seen as less powerful than their male colleagues.
Just for the boys...
Beard blunders: Facial hair is now acceptable and one in three bosses view stubble as OK in business. However, hiding your lips and mouth could be seen as a barrier to communication. If you're going for beard or stubble, you'll need to spend more, not less, time on grooming.
Don't be a schoolboy: Badly-fitting clothes generally look like hand-me-downs!
And all the rest: Don't think you can get away with a stain on your tie, lunch in your teeth or smelling of cigarettes!
