Subconscious Cues
Communication isn’t only vocal. As it turns out, the majority of communication involves body language and eye contact. There’s an old saying about how first impressions are vastly important. This is partially because people make a snap judgment about you before you even open your mouth, owing to subconscious communication.
In a job interview, you’ve got non-verbal cues and snap-judgments in abundance. It’s definitely to your benefit to give yourself every possible advantage beforehand. Part of that is going to involve what you wear to the interview. In fact, this is a big part of it. Every situation will be different, but generally, the following tips should help you make the best choices.
1. Don’t Overdress
Don’t wear a three-piece suit to an interview at Walmart. Not unless you want the interviewer to drag out the conversation so they can laugh at you with their coworkers later. Wear slacks and a button-down shirt that’s a muted color like blue.
Blue is very good for Walmart, as this matches much of their brand design. Generally, slacks and button-down shirts are advisable for most interviews, unless you’re looking at a position with a particularly prestigious employer.
2. Don’t Underdress
Just like you don’t want to wear a three-piece suit to a Walmart interview, you don’t want to wear jeans and a t-shirt if you’re interviewing to work as an intern for a legal firm. There you’ll probably want slacks, the right suit jacket, and a muted button-down shirt. Additionally, you could wear a tie, but be careful about that. You want to appear professional, not obsequious.
Additionally, be careful not to show too much skin. Certainly, provocative attire may get you the jobunder an unspoken implication making work uncomfortable, and stranding you in an entry-level position.
That’s not supposed to happen. But this is reality, this isn’t some idealized fantasy land in a movie or television show. In the real world, people need jobs, they can’t afford lawyers, and they’re willing to make compromises. Don’t be too provocative or you might get what you want, and find you didn’t really want it in the first place.
3. Wear The Right Watch
If you’re wearing a three-piece suit and a Mickey Mouse watch, you’d better have a good story about how that watch represents an heirloom in your family; otherwise people will see that you just threw the suit on for the interview and don’t know what you’re doing. Likewise, a rolex coupled with shorts and a t-shirt speaks of something like hidden criminal activity.
It’s integral to adorn your wardrobe with more than simple clothing items. Belts, cufflinks, bolero ties, and watches all say something about you. Watches are one of the most universal accessories that have such an impact, so you need to wear the right timepiece or not wear one. Click the link to explore the best watch list for going to a job interview.
4. Choose Clothing That Doesn’t Make You Sweat
If you’re going to a job interview at a law firm in Phoenix, that three-piece suit will make you sweat. If sweat stains show up on your shirt during the interview, that’s going to make the interviewer feel you’re so nervous you might not be of any use to them. In that scenario, choose the lightest slacks and shirt, use deodorant, and keep yourself cool.
5. Wear Colors That Are Appropriate
Bright colors for a position at an accounting firm will be loud and distracting. Muted colors when you’re applying to work at a Copa-Cabana bar will make you look like a stick in the mud. Generally, blacks, whites, grays, and muted colors are advisable unless the interview is for a position where being flamboyant is a plus.
Properly Suiting Yourself For The Occasion
Appropriate colors, clothing that doesn’t make you needlessly hot, a good watch, and dressing in a way that’s neither over-the-top nor under expectation represent five key strategies for job interview attire. Conform your clothing choice for such situations in a way that takes such variables into account.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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