Interview Attire

Interview Attire
Editor's Note
How to dress for an interview is a subjective process. As for anything subjective, "good judgment" is important. There is a lot of information on the Web suggesting what to wear for interviews, going from general guidelines to comments regarding specific items of clothing. Consider the advice that is being given, but decide for yourself. We are all unique and whether we like it or not, what we wear should reflect the person that we are if we want to remain true to ourselves. It is all about displaying an image that we feel comfortable with. Notwithstanding the above, first impressions do matter. Before the interviewer even gets a chance to talk to you, he will see you. You want to look presentable, professional, and competent. Looking professional is important, especially for jobs that require client interaction. Looking professional not only affects the person who sees you, but also impacts the way you feel about yourself. "Self-esteem" is key to being confident and "looks" do matter. Key considerations to keep in mind: Dress according to the organization, although you should always err on the side of caution (being overly formal is usually better than the reverse and dressing conservatively is usually better than trying to make a fashion statement). Wear comfortable clothes so you can focus on your conversation with the interviewer, instead of trying to put yourself at ease. The key idea is for you to be able to forget about what you are wearing once the interview starts and focus solely on answering questions correctly. Avoid too many accessories and try to have a clean look. You don't want to look clumsy or lose things because you are distracted. Yes, Interview Day can be stressful! Pay attention to the weather. On a rainy day, you don't want to arrive at the interview all wet. On a snowy day, you don't want your pants to have stains from dirty snow. In that regard, weather might dictate how you decide to go to the interview. Taking a taxi and avoiding public transportation might be worth it. Remember, you want to look professional; yet, you want the interviewer to remember you based on the substance of your answers. Your attire should only play a "supporting role."

Editor's Note

How to dress for an interview is a subjective process. As for anything subjective, "good judgment" is important. There is a lot of information on the Web suggesting what to wear for interviews, going from general guidelines to comments regarding specific items of clothing. Consider the advice that is being given, but decide for yourself. We are all unique and whether we like it or not, what we wear should reflect the person that we are if we want to remain true to ourselves. It is all about displaying an image that we feel comfortable with.

Notwithstanding the above, first impressions do matter. Before the interviewer even gets a chance to talk to you, he will see you. You want to look presentable, professional, and competent.

Looking professional is important, especially for jobs that require client interaction. Looking professional not only affects the person who sees you, but also impacts the way you feel about yourself. "Self-esteem" is key to being confident and "looks" do matter.

Key considerations to keep in mind:

Dress according to the organization, although you should always err on the side of caution (being overly formal is usually better than the reverse and dressing conservatively is usually better than trying to make a fashion statement).
Wear comfortable clothes so you can focus on your conversation with the interviewer, instead of trying to put yourself at ease. The key idea is for you to be able to forget about what you are wearing once the interview starts and focus solely on answering questions correctly.
Avoid too many accessories and try to have a clean look. You don't want to look clumsy or lose things because you are distracted. Yes, Interview Day can be stressful!
Pay attention to the weather. On a rainy day, you don't want to arrive at the interview all wet. On a snowy day, you don't want your pants to have stains from dirty snow. In that regard, weather might dictate how you decide to go to the interview. Taking a taxi and avoiding public transportation might be worth it.

Remember, you want to look professional; yet, you want the interviewer to remember you based on the substance of your answers. Your attire should only play a "supporting role."