How to Dress for Your Job Interview – For Men

Ok so you’ve finally landed an interview for a job you’re interested in. Amongst the feelings of relief are often feelings of nerves and anxiety. There are so many ways to prepare for an interview, psyching yourself up, doing that little research on the company and researching those potential make or break questions. Altogether enabling you to “ace” the interview and land the job. Well, sounds easy right?

There’s still an area that many of us fail to appreciate and an area that employers are now paying more and more attention to, this is your image, the way you dress and present yourself for the interview. There are times where great candidates have lost the chance simply by not making sure they were representing a great image of themselves. So heres a few short and simple tips on how to dress to impress at your next job interview ;

1. Where are you applying to? – Are you applying for a job in a fast food restuarant or a bank? You don’t want to turn up for an interview at a fast food chain in your best suit and shoes. You may think this is a good idea but more often than not, you will turned down. Why? well due to the fact the person interviewing you will believe your experience and aspirations are higher than the job and hence you are not in it for the long term. A suit and shiny shoes however will do wonders for a bank interview, this is the image you are trying to present.

2. Shoes – I placed this up the list as it is commonly accepted these days that a persons characteristics are often judged by the condition of the shoes they wear. Wether this holds any true value is not known but why take the risk right. Polish up those shoes to a glowing shine, remove the scuff marks and discolourations if you can. Holes in your shoes are a big no no for job interviews as they can be spotted a mile away. Try to match a colour of shoe that blends well with your suit or clothes, discreet, stylish and well matched is the key.

3. Your Face – For a man to turn up at an interview with a 2 day unshaven face can be seen as a lack of self discipline and respect. Always try to have a clean shave before a job interview and keep any beards trimmed and clean.

- After showering, also wash your face and moisturize, a glowing skin can help you present a youthful and energetic personality.

- Brush those teeth and floss away, make sure your teeth are clean and you’ve had a quick check in the mirror for any food debris still lurking. Chew some gum and discard before you go in to take care of any bad breath you may have.

- Hair, whatever style you may have, keep it clean and trimmed to a respectable length. Try to go for styles that suit the shape of your face and do not use hair products in excess.

- Spots, you’re only human, don’t try a desperate attempt at hiding or dealing with them drastically as it will only attract more attention. Just be confident and any breakouts become invisible once your personality shines through.

- Deodarant – This is always important and forgotten by nervous candidates at times. The nerves lead to extra perspiration, and can either lead to body odour or wet underarms. Aftershave or cologne is better in small amounts, just to give a hint of the scent, not a thick mist.

4. Your Suit – A dark coloured suit is usually accepted as more appropriate business atire over an extravagent bright suit. Plain without too much embroidered style is ideal. Ensure your buttons are all there, no rips or threads, and your jacket is pressed and clean. Turning up for a job interview in a clean pressed suit will automatically place you in the pile of the self respecting man.

Arrive in a suit that fits you, taking the time to be properly measured up by a tailor will serve you better in the long run. This is more effective than trying on various sizes and going by what you think looks good (unless you’re a tailor of course).

Your shirt should fit you neatly at the collar and be clean and pressed once again. A quick mirror check for any last minute food stains is always a good idea. Your tie will compliment your shirt, this is when you will know you’ve chosen the right one. Try not to pick outrageous designs, you are going for cool, plain and blended.

5. What you bring with you – Try not to arrive with a plethora of accesories under your arm. A simple briefcase or leather document holder will suffice.

6. A good watch – If you don’t have one, go out and buy a good dress watch, these are fashionable watches that look great with a suit. Leather strapped watches are back in fashion and look very proffesional with a suit.

Well I think thats about it, these tips should get you well on the way to presenting a clean cut and proffesional image of yourself at your next job interview. I’m sure you’ll discover more along the way so best of luck and happy job hunting.