If you are wondering what to wear to an upcoming job interview these tips will help you regardless of what type of job you are going for. In today’s One Item, Five Fashionable Ways I will be showing how one suit can be used for any type of job interview along with some general tips that will help you.
They say you only have one chance to make a first impression. While this is common knowledge, did you also know that if you make a bad first impression it takes six more positive encounters with that person to have them change their opinion of you. You can read more about this here. Unfortunately, when it comes to job interviews, you only have one shot, maybe two, to get it right.
What to wear to a job interview
General tips
Good Grooming- No matter what type of job you are going for good grooming is essential. It should go without saying but a good manicure (no nail art or crazy colors), polished shoes and non-distracting hair are important. One last time about shoes- no open toe shoes, ever.
Tailoring and fit- No matter the price of what you are wearing to an interview special attention should be paid to fit and tailoring. You would be amazed by the difference that a proper hem, nip in the waist of a jacket or sleeve hem can do in looking more professional. Secondly, make sure you are comfortable in what you are wearing. Sit down in your outfit, see how it looks sitting. Does it wrinkle easily? Does the skirt show too much leg? Does it itch and cause you to scratch during the interview? Make sure you are comfortable as you can be in your interview attire.
Feel good- Dress for success often speaks to how others perceive you and to dress in a way that give off the right impression. What less people think about is how they perceive themselves in what they are wearing. I call these Buzz Words. Buzz Words are three words that describe how you want to feel. For a job interview these words could be confident, capable and hireable. If you don’t feel these things in what you are wearing you won’t give off your Buzz Words and it could affect your interview success. No, you can’t show up to a corporate job interview wearing jeans because they match your buzz words. The goal is to feel good in what you are wearing within the confines of what is acceptable in that work environment.
Essentials to keep on hand- It not a bad idea to have things like a Tide stick on hand. Imagine you spilled a drop of coffee on your suit while on your way to the interview? Also consider some breath strips that dissolve quickly (don’t interview with a breath mint or gum in your mouth), a hair brush and a compact for shine. Keep your makeup minimal and have some items, like concealer and gloss on hand. If you tend to sweat, you might want to try a Uniqlo Airsm tank under your jacket or top. Airism products are enhanced with quick-dry and odor neutralizing properties. As they say, never let them see you sweat. If you are wearing hose have a second pair with you. Lastly, have some Band-aids for an emergency blister.
What to wear to different types of interviews
There is a reason I chose a gray suit. Black often seems like the right color to wear and, for some professions, it is just fine. However, color psychology does not look fondly at this color for work and interviews. Colors like grey, brown and navy are much more favorable. Navy evokes feelings of loyalty, dedication and trust. Grey is a reliable, conservative, modest, authoritative and controlled color. Brown is a natural color that evokes a sense of strength and reliability. Black, on the other hand, can be seen as intimidating, unfriendly and unapproachable because of the power it exudes. It can prevent two-way communication because of its intimidation. Not exactly things you want to have happen at an interview.
Let’s look at some outfits based on five different types of job interview.
Look #1- Corporate Conservative Executive
If you are going for a high paying corporate, conservative job what you wear needs to reflect your skills and that you are worth hiring. With high-quality accessories you can give this impression. Even if you have to borrow accessories, go for the best but don’t go for trendy or fleeting styles. The look should be more classic and high end.
Nothing about a corporate conservative look should be sexy or too girly. Your outfit should say that you are a woman who is to be reckoned with, who can still be feminine, and who has a good sense of good quality and style. Your handbag should be structured, even if it isn’t the most expensive suit, in good shape and your accessories should have longevity to them.
In this outfit, the gray suit is paired with a pair of nude Cole Haan pumps, a Furla handbag, Tiffany earrings, a Cartier watch and Jones New York layering piece to give this outfit understated style.
Look #2 First Corporate Job Interview
There is a uniform-look to a first job interview and if you won’t want to get lost in the sea of sameness try stepping out with your look in a way that still fits within parameter of a corporate work environment. With all the bad black suits and stuffy outfits, an employer will have an easier time remembering the person who wore something different.
First, nobody is expecting anyone right out of college to be decked to the nines in expensive clothes. In fact, if you are a young person wearing clothes that look too mature or expensive you will come across younger, not older. What you want to do is infuse your youth with professionalism.
There are a few ways to do this. First, you can add pink or softer touches to your interview outfit, particularly through your handbag. Never carry a bag that looks like the bag you lugged your books around in all over campus. It’s time to grow up. Your bag should be neat, sharp and of the best quality you can find. Next, fit is important. Many young people have yet to get the importance of well fitting suits and you will stand out by simply paying attention to this detail. You also don’t want to come across too aggressively. Powerful yes, for aggressive, no. You will likely be starting at the bottom and your interviewer will want to know you are a team player and will take direction well. Bringing in softness into strong pieces will accomplish this. Lastly, your shoes. This is not the time to break out your crazy platform pumps that you wore to the bar or club. Go for a basic lower heel.
For this look, I paired a simple tank from Lord & Taylor under the suit, accessorized the look with a pair of Nine West gray pumps, a multi-strand gold necklace and pair of stud earrings from Stella & Dot. In regards to earrings, I think that they should typically be studs. If you want to wear longer earrings choose a pair that hangs no longer than where you jaw bone angles.
Look #3- The Creative Executive
Not all artists are starving ones. In fact, there are plenty of creative types who work in executive positions. For this role, a person interviewing for a job can think a bit more outside of the box. In fact, it will probably be expected of you. In creative positions, your image is like a portfolio. However, it is still important when taking risks not to take them too far.
The best way to add some safe flair to a look so people get your creative side is with color, accessories and how you mix things. If you were to just show up for an interview in a safe and boring suited look the perception of you from others could potentially be that you are not creative enough for the job.
With this suited look I decided to play on color. Here I started with these shoes by Alexandre Birman which are a colorblocked mix accented with python. Python is not for interviews unless you are going for a creative role. The shoes is what informed me about what colors to play with. I chose a Vince Camuto bag in Toast, an umber colored tank, gold statement necklace, and gold cuff earrings from Nordstrom.
Look #4- The Casual Work Environment
I don’t care how casual the work environment is that you are interviewing for, I still believe a professional and polished look is important. You may not have to wear a suited look but a separate blazer or structured cardigan should be just fine. Although even I am wary of suggesting a simple cardigan. Err on the side of caution and dress up more than less.
One thing you can do is wear a jacket with a top or dress underneath that can stand on its own without a jacket. This way you can take the layering piece off and still look pulled together. In the case of a casual work environment interview a sportswear approach (separates vs. a suit) creates a relaxed professional look. I also think you can play with color a bit more boldly. Choose friendly, approachable colors and consider printed tops. You don’t want to come across too severe or serious.
In this outfit, using the skirt from the same suit, I paired it with an emerald green jacket by Ann Klein, a printed top by T. Tahari that picks up the emerald green that also brings in yellow and blue. The outfit is finished with grey pumps by Aerin, a yellow pair of earrings by Kate Spade and a basic blue tote bag by Vince Camuto.
Look #5- The Designer, Creative Interview
The super creative, designer interview outfit probably has the most wiggle room. In fact, convention is often frowned upon. When I was a fashion designer employers often looked to the creativity of what the person they were interviewing was wearing. While you still want to adhere to the basic rules of proper interview dress code, don’t go for safe and don’t go for boring. You want your employer to know that you know what the trends are, even if you aren’t interviewing for a creative position in fashion. Yet you still have to be careful. Your outfit may have some statement pieces but make sure they don’t overpower you. You want to create a seamlessness between what you are wearing and who you are.
Again, I don’t think a standard suit is necessary. The only way I’d suggest it is if the suit is really unique or creative. Otherwise leave the basic blazer at home. What you can do is break the suit apart and use the skirt. Next, add a funky jacket, like this one from Catherine Malandrino. In the case of creative interviews black is more than okay, especially as a touch. We often associate black with creative artists.
Here I chose to layer a black turtleneck from Mango under the jacket and went with bolder accessories, like these earrings from Foxy Originals, a cuff bracelet from Mango and a pop of red with this bag from Latico Leathers. Lastly, in the case of a creative job interview you can try something like booties, like these from Aerin, and opaque tights.
If you’ve been wondering what to wear to a job interview, these tips will give you a road map towards getting the job. I may not be able to help you with your resume but I can help you with the bag you will carry it in.
