Dress to Impress in the Interview
by Andrew Weinstein
Some people may ask, "Does it really make a difference how you dress for an interview?" In many cases, it does. First impressions matter and many recruiters will form their first opinion of you within the first ten seconds of meeting. So, if you want to be a competitive candidate, it makes sense to dress your best for the interview, regardless of the dress code at the organization. Employers are looking for the 'best of the best' for their company, hoping to find their future company leaders from the pool of college students they interview. An interview is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to prove you have the talents the company is seeking and you want to be looking your very best for the interviewer. Most recruiters are not looking for people with multiple piercings, tattoos, poor hygiene or poor etiquette. It is important to "dress to impress" at an interview.
If you're in doubt about how to dress for an interview, it is best to be on the conservative side. It is much better to be overdressed than underdressed. According to Kim Zoller at Image Dynamics, 55% of another person's perception of you is based on how you look. For women, that means a solid color, conservative suit with a coordinated blouse or knit top. The most popular colors for suiting are navy or black, color can be injected with your choice for under the jacket. Be careful of tops that might be too tight or too revealing, or a skirt that is too short to allow you to sit comfortably. You can accessorize with jewlery or scarf, but do not select anything too large or flashy. If in doubt about accessories, it is better to do without than run the risk of accessorizing poorly. In terms of makeup and fragrance, again moderation is key. Oftentimes interviews rooms are small and too much fragrance will leave an unfavorable imprint on the recruiter. Select a close-toe shoe with a moderate heel and don’t forget the hosiery. No matter how much you love your flip-flops, they have no place at a job interview!
