The women's guide to dressing up for an executive interview
No matter how impressive your resume is or how much you've practised giving the right answer to every possible question, if you don't make a lasting first impression on your interviewer, you will most likely not land your dream job. While your choice of attire is no substitution for your skill set and years of experience, it never hurts to dress for success. You can end up sabotaging even the most outstanding job prospects if you make a clothing or grooming mistake in your interview. We've compiled a few basic guidelines to ensure you present a professional and competent image at your next interview. You can thank us later!
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Your clothes shouldn't serve as a distraction
From wearing a pant that is too tight at the seams to wearing a shirt that is a tad bit revealing, there are endless errors you can make if you aren't careful about what you put on for an interview. Try not to wear something that will distract the interviewer while he is interviewing you. Your clothes should add value to your personality instead of proving to be a disturbance.
Grooming
The cliché ‘less is more’ works perfectly in this situation. Keep your hairstyle simple and classy and the number of jewelry pieces restricted to one or two when you put together your attire for an interview. Your accessories should complement your clothes, not overpower them. If you are making use of make-up, apply it in a manner that it enhances your features. Same goes for the fragrance you choose. Keep it subtle to avoid offending anyone or causing distress to those who are sensitive to chemicals.
Dress for your position
Dressing for the position you're applying for doesn't translate to turning up in denims and a cropped top if you're looking to be hired as an intern or for a junior position. Similarly, if you're interviewing for the role of a senior manager, you need to dress to your level. Wearing low quality dresses or too much pattern is a strict no-no. Also, pay attention to your shoes and handbag to make sure they aren't torn at the edges or withered from use. Your choice of attire will tell the interviewer a lot about you.
Don't restrict yourself to black
A lot of people believe that dressing in black translates to power-dressing. While this is true to a certain extent, it is important to pick colors that are not only flattering, but also true to your personality. Don't restrict your choice of color to black. If you feel feminine tones like pink and purple look great on you, go for it. If you're confident in your attire, it will show and your personality will do the talking for you.
In some companies it may be appropriate to dress a little casually for a second interview, but it is still imperative to look professional nonetheless. Follow the above mentioned guidelines and you're sure to leave an indelible impression on your interviewer and improve your prospects of landing the job.
