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by: Michelle Joseph
DID YOU KNOW that 55% of another person's perception of you is based on how you look? So, that leaves you with 45% to create an impression that will tally with the one your visumé set for you. Imagine going through all that hard-work in crafting a brilliant visumé and then turning up for an interview in a depressing state that will make your potential employer think twice about you.
Well, luckily dressing successfully for an interview isn't that difficult and doesn't even require that you spend a great deal of money either. But, before we go into the basics of how TO dress and how NOT to dress, let’s take look at:
The message your appearance sends out:
- Appropriate attire upholds your image and credibility. It shows that you take the job and interview process seriously.
- It shows that you understand what is required of you. For example, for some industries, customer liaison and image
presented to the customer is critical. In such industries, your attire will be judged more critically.
- Dressing nicely and appropriately is a compliment to the person you meet, so if in doubt, it’s better to dress up, than down.
And now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty details! Whip out your pens and start taking notes!
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Makeup & Nails:
DOs
Women:
Makeup should be conservative. A little is usually better than none for a polished look, along with clean and well groomed nails.
Men:
Clean and cropped nails.
DONTs
- Garish nail colours and extreme lengths or nail polish that is chipping off.
- Grubby ungroomed nails.
- Thick/cakey makeup for both men and women.
Unless you are a kabuki performer, makeup should be understated! Men should not even be wearing any!
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Bags:
DOs
Men & Women:
Pad folios or small briefcases are preferred over a bulky briefcase.
Women:
- Preferably carry a business-like tote bag in place of a purse.
- Leather is the best choice for briefcases; micro fibre or fine wovens are also acceptable.
DONTs
Women:
Large beach/pool totes, partyish, or little-girlish bags.
Men:
Odd shaped bags where you have to end up crushing/folding documents.
If you have no reason to carry a briefcase, don't! You risk looking silly.
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Clothes & Fabric:
DOs
A two-piece matched suit is always the best and safest choice.
Even if employees of the organization dress casually on the job, dress up for the interview unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer.
Presentation of clothes:
Clean and Well- Pressed clothes that fit well.
Colour:
Navy and dark grey are safe colours to wear.
Other colour trends may come and go, but as long you wear solid colours or even very subtle weave patterns or plaids it’s acceptable!
Fabric: Wool, wool blends, or other good quality natural and synthetic fibres, are generally great.
DONTs
Combine a suit jacket with pants that don't match.
Unless of course you are interviewing to be a child entertainer or clown, then the starker the differences the better!
Presentation of clothes:
Bedraggled, crumpled and extremely large or tight-fitting or with tags and dangling threads
NO ONE wants to see unsightly bulges or clothes hanging off you loosely
Colour:
Neon/luminous colours or anything too loud
Fabric:
Lower quality acetate / rayon blends or worse yet PVC and leather
It’s no more the 80’s and unless you are interviewing to be in a rock band – it’s inappropriate.
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Skirts & Ties:
DOs
Ties (Men):
Simple, solid coloured
Skirt length (Women):
- Your skirt should cover your thighs when you are seated.
- A skirt that ends at the knee when you're standing looks chic and professional.
- Longer skirts that are narrower (pencil skirts) are professional too.
DONTs
Ties (Men):
Flashy, loud and characters on it.
Skirt length (Women):
- Tiny skirts that show off too much thighs, so that when you sit, it rides up all the way and when you bend, it’s no longer PG.
- Long skirts that are too flare or billowing.
Showing a lot of thigh makes you look naive at best, foolish at worst. Billowing long skirts end up looking “hippy” or bohemian.
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Socks & Hosiery:
DOs
Socks for Men:
Dark socks & mid-calf length so no skin is visible when you sit down.
Hosiery for Women:
Plainly styled, sheer is most conservative (not opaque), and in neutral colours complementing your suit.
DONTs
Socks for Men:
Ankle length and a starkly different colour from suit/outfit.
Hosiery for Women:
- High contrast between suit and hosiery colour.
- Patterned or fishnet hosiery.
You want to be taken seriously and not seen as a goofball or as trashy.
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Hair:
DOs
Neatly combed/tied back hair.
Ladies can let their down, if it does not get in the way and is tidy.
For men, it would be best to have cropped hair.
DONTs
- Messy and unkempt hair with lots of flyaway hairs.
- Hair falling all over the face and covering the eyes.
Unless of course you are going for the shaggy dog look (not!)
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Belts:
DOs
Men:
Black or cordovan leather, to match your shoes.
Women:
Only wear a belt if the suit/outfit requires it.
DONTs
Men:
Wear large and flashy belt buckles and belts with decorations on it.
Women:
Wear flashy decorated belts and ones that make the body look disproportionate.
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Jewellery:
DOs
Women:
- Simple and leaning towards conservative.
- Understated Pearls are a good fit and look classy.
Men:
- Other than a wedding ring, try not to wear jewellery.
- Keep to a conservative watch
DONTs
Jewellery:
- Loud and flashy jewellery and striking gold/diamond studded watches.
- Rings on every finger and earrings the size of the moon.
All this bling bling and only P-diddy would be proud. Perhaps he might have a job more appropriate.
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Smell:
DOs
Sparingly used perfume or cologne/after shave. Being understated is always good.
Freshly laundered clothes and a freshly showered you would be best!
DONTs
- Overpowering smell of cologne/perfume (practically bathe in it)
- Smelling like cigarettes/other foul odours in clothes.
Some people have allergies/sensitivities; last thing you want would be for your smell to derail your interview.
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Shoes:
DOs
- Wear polished shoes that are in a good condition.
- Good solid colours to match the outfit.
Black is always the safest.
DONTs
- Muddy/dusty that are worn out.
- Neon colours that do not match with outfit.
It’s pretty obvious that for a formal interview, sandals and strappy shoes or slip ons are a no no!
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