Don't be fooled to see the new era of business executives, many of whom are self-made millionaires by their mid-twenties, gathered in the boardroom wearing skate shoes, jeans and graphic tees. Unless you made millions by inventing the social networking site that changed the world or rapped your way to the boardroom as the head of a clothing company, you are still expected to look professional when you dress for interviews.
Things have definitely changed in the business world. How you dress for interviews truly can determine whether or not you get a job. What do you do when you open your wardrobe only to find that you don't actually own any clothing appropriate for that all-important interview? You probably own a fair amount clothing suitable for your lifestyle outside of work. Believe it or not, you can actually use the more basic or conservative items of clothing from your everyday wardrobe as the basis of an interview-appropriate outfit. You really only get one chance to make a stellar first impression. Make sure that the interviewer doesn't have to look past your appearance to learn about your best qualities as an employee.
Despite the fact that the working world has changed quite a bit, the basics of interview style remain largely the same, says career expert Lisa Quast in a recent article about the best interview attire. Avoid the temptation to put your personality on display when you dress for interviews. Although creativity and an ability to do a lot with a little are qualities admired in you as an employee, you don't want prospective employers to get to know you based on your ability to pair a purple polka-dot top with a set of sweet Saturday-night heels. Most employers still aren't accepting of tattoos in the workplace, so make sure they are covered with clothing or professional-quality makeup. When you dress for interviews, stick with muted, basic colors and tops and bottoms that are classically cut. Avoid plunging necklines, shorts and skirts or dresses with revealing hemlines. Perhaps you own pieces of clothing that were part of the uniform at a former job. In many cases, the black dress pants worn by employees in finer restaurants could also serve as the basis for a professional outfit suitable for the office. Of course, make sure that the clothing you select for an interview is clean, well pressed and in decent condition.
If you land the job, employers expect you show up dressed similarly to how you dressed for any interviews they had with you. Keep this fact in mind when selecting your interview outfit and also when you show up for your first day on the job. Dress for interviews the way you would dress for work.
Dressing for an interview is one of the most important considerations when on the hunt for a new job or trying for that big promotion. When you dress for interviews, try combining basics from your existing wardrobe for a conservative look suitable for the business world. When selecting interview attire, don't make a fashion faux pas that could actually cost you the job.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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