You can only make a first impression once, and the first thing the interviewer sees is going to be your appearance. Before the first word has been spoken, the interviewer is already going to try to figure out your personality based on your appearance.
There is no denying that how you dress for the job interview is important. Very important. In some ways, it is the most important aspect of the interview, because if you come dressed like a fool, your interview will never recover.
The Key to a Good Outfit is an Ignored Outfit
When you pick out your clothes, your goal is to not wear anything that gets you noticed. Quite the contrary, you want your outfit to play no role at all in your ability to get a job. None. You don’t want the interviewer to even notice how you are dressed. You want all of the focus to be on your interview answers, and none of the focus on your outfit. For that reason, here are several common job interview fashion mistakes.
- Sexy Shoes
If you are a young woman wearing open toed, high heeled shoes, you are overdressed. You don’t want the interviewer noticing how sexy your shoes are. You want your interview looking only into your eyes.
- Gaudy Jewelry
A diamond tennis bracelet or a large chain necklace may be expensive and stylish, but they are also far too noticeable. Your jewelry (if you wear any) should be inconspicuous, so that it does not catch the eye of the interviewer.
- Labeled Purses
You are going to a job interview, not trying to show off how expensive your tastes are. Yes, it’s cute that Coach purses make the “C” look like little bubbles, but a purse with a label is going to be noticed by interviewers, and you want their eyes off of your stuff.
- Odd Colored Shirts
You may have worn a pink shirt under your suit to prom, but pink is a fairly noticeable color. The interviewer does not want to be blinded or distracted by your oddly colored outfit. You want all of the colors to be boring and professional.
- Odd Colored Accessories
The same goes for your purses, suitcases, etc. The Hello Kitty suitcase may have seemed like a fun idea at the time, but it should not be taken with you at the job interview. The same goes for fingernails and makeup.
- Unprofessional Jackets
Some people interview in winter. Winter is cold. You will need a warm jacket. You never know when the interviewer will see you. If you show up to the interview in some bright or awkward jacket, it is going to be noticed, even if the suit you are keeping dry underneath is the peak of professional.
- Visible Tattoos
Employers don’t really care if you have a tattoo. They do not, however, want to see some big one at the job interview. If you have a tattoo anywhere on your body, do your best to hide it at the job interview. This means that if you have a tattoo on your ankle, it should be invisible by your stocks, stockings, shoes, etc.
Going to the Interview Incognito
It seems counterintuitive that the best job interview outfits are those that the interviewer completely ignores, but it makes sense as well. If the interviewer is distracted by your outfit, they are going to pay less attention to the answers you are providing. Less attention means that once the interview is over, they are going to come up with fewer reasons to call you back for a second. Keep your outfit boring and professional if you hope to get the job.
Take Away Interview Tips
- The best outfits are those that play no role in your job interview.
- Your outfit should always be boring and professional.
