Getting a job interview can be incredibly exciting but also overwhelming, especially when you are getting interviewed for a job that you really like. With that said, you must dress up for success. You already know that people will always judge a book by the cover, and the same goes for your appearance. Your appearance is the first thing that the interviewer will take in when you walk through the door.
Understand the Golden Rule of Dressing Up for A Job Interview
You should know that the biggest thing that potential job interviewers are looking for that goes beyond all your credentials is whether or not you will fit in well with the company. You want to show the interviewer some respect and show that you are serious about the job.
But you also want to give the impression that you already belong there, which is why you don’t want to look too casual or too dressed up. A good rule of thumb is to dress one notch above what your current employees at the company wear every day.
Dressing Up for Traditional Jobs
Suppose you are interviewing for a more traditional profession, such as a law firm, you don’t really have to worry about taking it up a notch higher than what your current employees wear, since you really can’t get much more formal than a suit. It would be strange if you wore a tuxedo to a job interview. However, you should wear a classic conservative suit, such as a single-breasted, notch lapel, two or three-button jacket with a single or double back vent, and with a pocket square.
You get the point: when interviewing for traditional jobs, such as law and finance, you should not go for anything that is too trendy.
Best Colors for Traditional Jobs
When it comes to the best color choices for suits to wear for your job interview for a traditional job, your best and safest choices include black, navy blue, or charcoal. However, you should know that solid black suits are more suited for funerals. However, you can wear patterns, such as pin stripes, in colors, such as brown or tan.
Contrast the suit with a solid white or blue dress shirt and make it a button-up rather than a button-down collar.
Pay Attention to Your Socks
While paying attention to the important aspects of your dress up, we recommend that you focus on your socks, too. Avoid bright and colorful socks as they might kill the vibe. Explore a nice selection of socks for men and wear a pair that enhances your overall look and gives you confidence.
Ideally, you should choose socks that are of a classic color, such as dark grey or navy. Also, wear socks that are subtle and perfectly coordinate with your outfit, especially your shoes and trousers. When it comes to the length of your socks, it’s safe to go with mid-calf length so you can avoid your skin from showing when you sit down for the interview.
Pay Attention to Your Shoes
If you know anything about human psychology, you might already know that your shoes are typically the first thing that people notice. With that said, since you’re dressing for a formal job interview, it’s best to wear polished black shoes such as oxfords. However, suede shoes or brown leather shoes can also be appropriate. Just make sure that your shoes are well-maintained, clean, and blend in with your overall outfit.
Landing an interview at your dream job is a serious milestone. After all, it is your career that we are talking about. So, you must make an extra effort with the way you dress to make a positive first impression. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that you should dress as if you already have the job. By doing so, you will significantly increase your chances of landing the job.
Dressing Up for Business Casual
If you are preparing to go on a job interview where people dress more business casual, such as where guys wear button-down shirts and khakis or trousers, then you certainly should avoid wearing a suit. Your best choice is to go with a sports coat or a sports jacket. You might as well wear a button-down collar shirt, as it is more casual. Don’t forget your casual tie.
For business casual, brown oxfords make a great choice. However, if the workplace is a little more casual, then you can opt for boots, too.
If things are very casual, you can wear a button-down shirt and pair it up with khakis. You can make the color area interesting and have some fun with it. Add a tie if you want, and you can play with different patterns as well. More importantly, make sure that you feel confident and powerful in the outfit that you’re wearing to the job interview.
This way, you will feel good in your skin and confident during the interview, which will increase your success rate of landing the job.
