"Preparing for a successful interview" (page 5/8)
Step 5: Assess your appearance
Most people seem to know how to make a good impression, but now and again you do get surprised to see the clothes that some people turn up to interviews in.
In general, there are three rules for interview dress:
- Your dress should reflect the work environment for which you are being interviewed, and if in doubt it is ALWAYS better to dress more smartly than less smartly. If you are interviewing in a business environment, a man should almost always wear a smart dark grey or navy suit with a plain shirt and a conservative tie. Women have a small amount of extra latitude in the colour of suit that they wear, and they can dispense with the tie
- Make sure that all of your clothes fit you well and are clean (dry cleaned if necessary), free of any stains, pressed, and with no rips or tears. Buttons should all be there and not be broken. Shoes should be polished
- Finally, pay some attention to yourself!!
- Men should generally have short hair. It is preferable to be clean-shaven, but if you do want to keep facial hair, then it must be neatly trimmed. Fingernails should be cut and clean. And make sure that you do not overpower the interviewer with your smell – so go easy on the aftershave!!
- Women again have more latitude with hair styles, but if you wear your hair long then consider putting it up or tying it back for the interview. If you wear make-up it should be subtle and understated. Try to restrict jewellery to one ring per hand (although more may be appropriate on your wedding ring finger) and one set of small earrings. Nail varnish, if worn, should generally be clear. And as with the men, please don’t overpower the interviewer with half a bottle of your favourite perfume!!
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