Believe it or not, that is the first question you should ask yourself! Why? Studies have proven it takes us about five or six seconds to make a judgment about a person when we first meet. In those few seconds how you present yourself tells your story – your education, economic status, confidence and self esteem, and of course, your taste in dress. The purpose of this piece is not to make you a nervous wreck before the interview, but instead to make you think about how to put together an outfit that will be a total “marketing” package for you.
Research the Company
But before you look in your closet, do research on the company you’re going to interview with. Not just for the mission statement and financial stability, but for the corporate culture. Is the company conservative? Is it casual and free thinking? Is it somewhere in between? You don’t want to show up in jeans if the company is conservative and everyone wears suits, ties and dresses. Once you know about the company and the marketing image you want to project, keep your dress simple and in line with the company’s image and the position you are interviewing for.
Good Hygiene Tips for Any Company
Let’s start with the basics for both men and women. Good hygiene is a must! Have clean hair, styled in an appropriate cut. Hands should be clean, nails should be short. Light polish for women, if you wear it. And careful on the cologne. You don’t want your cologne to arrive before you do. Keep rings and bracelets at a minimum.
Picking the Right Outfit
Shoes tell a lot about a person. Make sure yours are in good condition. They should be polished and compliment the outfit- not draw attention. Ladies, keep the stilettos for evening events. Men, no holes in your soles. Wear dress shoes. Absolutely no hiking boots, flip fops, tennis shoes, etc.
When in doubt, it’s always better to dress on the conservative side. Make sure your cloths fit you, but not too tight. Check the length of your sleeves, pants, skirt and dress. Sleeves should sit at your wrist bone and the shirt sleeve should be 1/8 to ¼ inch longer than the jacket sleeve. Pants should come down on the shoes, but not drag the ground. Skirts and dresses should sit just above the knee or longer.
Be Wary of Tattoos/Body Piercings
It’s okay to let your personality shine through, just make sure your not making a statement. Some companies don’t want tattoos or excessive body piercings visible, so on the first interview cover them if you can. Most importantly, wear an outfit that you feel comfortable in- not only the fit, but the style.
After your outfit has made a good impression, make sure you continue it. Watch your posture when you stand and sit. Good posture shows confidence and a strong sense of self. Eye contact is important, so don’t avoid it. Have a firm handshake and look the person in the eye when you shake hands. Turn off your cell phone and give your full attention to the person you’re talking with. And last but not least, smile. It will relax you and be a positive, non-verbal signal to the person who is interviewing you.
I have had many conversations with interviewers and I am amazed at the stories they tell about applicants showing up in jeans with holes, flip flops for shoes, tight fitting tops, excessive jewelry and dirty hair, with cell phones in hand. What were these job seeking individuals thinking? And yes, they were still seeking when the interview was over!
So use your six second impression to its full potential. Put your best face (and outfit) forward and land the job you want.
About the Author: Marla Harr is the founder of Business Etiquette International, and regularly offers employee business etiquette courses for new hires. You can follow Marla on Twitter @etiquetteusa or find out more about her classes by visiting www.actwelldowell.com.