
How to Dress for a Job Interview
Not so many years ago, almost all companies expected job candidates to turn up for interviews in formal business attire, which made it quite easy to prepare. Nowadays, however, things are not quite so simple: while some employers still expect candidates to dress formally, many others have adopted a more relaxed attitude towards workplace dress codes. With this in mind, if you want to make a good impression when you arrive for your interview, you will find it easier to dress appropriately if you first establish which type of employer you are dealing with. Carry on reading for more top tips on how to make sure you dress for success when attending interviews in the UK today.
Interview Dress Code: Golden Rules
To avoid making a big mistake when choosing an interview outfit, always remember to follow these golden rules:
- Do Your Homework – Your schooldays may be well behind you but if you are interviewing for your dream job, you should try revisiting the homework habit one more time. The more you learn about the organisation that you wish to work for, the easier it will be for you to pick the perfect outfit for your interview.
- When Unsure Play It Safe – If, despite having tried your very best to find out more about your prospective employer, you are still not sure whether formal or casual attire is appropriate, it is better to play it safe. Overdressed is always better than underdressed when it comes to making the right impression at an interview.
- Never Dress Provocatively – Even if you are interviewing for a position with a company that has a very relaxed workplace dress code, it is never a good idea to show too much flesh. Whether you are male or female, too much bare skin is always a bad choice as far as interview outfits are concerned.
- Keep It Simple – There is a temptation to go too far when dressing to impress. When we want to make a big impact, visually, we can easily end up overcomplicating matters because of this temptation. In our experience, it is best to keep things simple when dressing for interviews: don’t over accessorise or wear outfits that are visually very ‘busy’.
- Be Subtle with Scent – A splash of your favourite aftershave, cologne or perfume will give you more confidence and make you more appealing to the majority of interviewers. However, if you bathe in scent before an interview, you are unlikely to make a good impression. Be subtle with the scents you wear so as not to overwhelm your interviewers.
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