The Way You Dress Really Does Matter

Although your responses to interview questions during job interviews carry a considerable amount of weight, hiring managers also use this face-to-face opportunity to evaluate your appearance and interview attire. What you choose to wear communicates how potential employers perceive your professionalism and ability to represent the company. Dress for success to increase your chances of not only impressing the hiring manager but also focusing attention on your skills and experience.

Do Your Research

Job candidates should spend ample time researching the company to assess the firm's goals and missions. However, researching the dress code can put you one step ahead when preparing your interview attire.

Browse through online photos of existing employees on the company's website to get a sense of whether the firm's culture veers toward formality, business casual or somewhere in between. If majority of the employees wear suits, put your best suit on for the big day.

Keep It Simple

Your personality needs to shine through during the interview, but if you favor bold clothing, keep your bright orange pants or polka-dot dress in your closet . Opt, instead, for more conservative selections.

Choose simple interview attire to avoid causing distractions when meeting with potential employers so that focus remains on your professional qualities rather than your wardrobe selections. Resist the urge to slip on dangling jewelry or noisy bangles with the potential to draw attention away from your responses to interview questions.

Strive for Modesty

Even if you possess a bold personality, dress modestly when preparing for a job interview. Set aside trendy choices, such as cleavage-enhancing blouses and skin-tight trousers, in favor of classic, streamlined looks. Avoid wearing extremely high heels with the potential to trip you up when approaching the hiring manager. Instead, choose simple shoes with a standard-style black or grey business suit, and save attractive pops of color for blouses or shirts you wear underneath.

When interviewing with a business that boasts a more casual dress code, still stray on the side of caution by choosing semi-conservative interview attire. You may not need a suit jacket, but adding small touches, such as a tie or dress shoes, that instill some formality into your outfit displays your concern for the smallest details.

Focus on Grooming

Potential employers seek candidates who can represent the firm in a professional manner. Hygiene and grooming practices matter from the moment you enter the room. Shave or trim up any facial hair for a fresh look. Avoid messy buns or hairstyles that indicate a lack of effort in preparing for the meeting.

You also want to steer clear of strong aromas such as body odor, powerful colognes or perfumes, or hints of smoke on your clothing. Ensure the interviewer remembers you based on the skills discussed during the meeting versus distracting aspects of your grooming.

Employers assess potential employees on not only their skills and experience, but also their ability to represent the company professionally. Your interview attire matters and reveals just as much about your character as your resume, which makes it important to put a winning attitude and outfit on display when meeting with potential employers.

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