Dress for Success: Tips on Dressing for an Interview
Some tips on what not to wear, what things employers view as lazy, and how to avoid ending your interview before it even begins.
I’ve been in the professional world for quite a while now; long enough to have a good idea of what the word “professional” means. I may not be a hiring manager, or one who has any say in hiring practices, but I have observed much when it comes to what hiring managers look for in their candidates. This is never more true than when a hiring manager takes his or her first look at their prospective employee, and so I’ve written down a few tips on dressing for an interview that will hopefully help you land the job you’ve applied for.
I work for a company that is actively hiring new personnel. In this case, “actively” means that our Human Resources department conducts at least one or two interviews per day, sometimes more. My desk is conveniently located near a large picture window which affords me an unobstructed view of the front parking lot, main entrance, and all the people who come in looking for a job. I am constantly amazed by how casual this world has become.
I have seen prospective employees come in wearing jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, ill-fitting clothing, and dirty clothing, sporting all manner of piercings and tattoos, unkempt hair, and just a general outward appearance of apathy. (I find myself wondering about the thought processes of these interviewees while they are dressing themselves in the morning.) It seems to me that in order to get a job – a decent, well-paying job – one needs to actually care about not only what skills one can offer (which is obviously important) but also how one appears to one’s prospective employer. A good first impression is not necessarily the most important thing in the corporate world, but it certainly helps.
In my opinion, it does not matter if you are applying for a Fry-Cook position at McDonald’s, a call-center position, a sales manager, or the company CEO, it is always prudent to dress your best for your initial interview and then let the prospective employer dictate dress code thereafter. (And once the dress code has been discussed, stick to it!) This, of course, applies to all jobs, unless you are applying for a position with a business that promotes self-expression, like the cool store on the corner that specializes in original vinyl recordings, or the little bead and yarn shop with the crazy gypsy owner, or the trendy art gallery downtown. Even then, it is better to ask how you should dress for an interview than show up in something inappropriate and run the risk of being turned down simply based on your appearance.
