The toughest thing about going for a job interview is about giving off the right impression. Because over the last few years we’ve all been working more informally, it can be difficult to know what we need to wear to a job interview. There are some Industries that expect us to turn up in formal wear, but others are shifting towards casual dress. This is why we’ve got to remember that dressing correctly for an interview is crucial. What do you need to remember when it comes to dressing for any type of job interview?
Think About the Things You Can Control First
You can always reach out to the employer to ask about dress codes, but before you do that, you can work to highlight your attributes so you stand out. Going to a hair salon and giving your hair an upgrade is something that you can have control over, when you’re trying to highlight the right ways to make you stand out.
Of course, everybody is trying to stand out in the right ways but this is where having a knowledge of the company dress code can ensure that you stay within the right parameters. Thinking that you need to stand out in terms of the image is a common misconception. Of course, the way we stand out in a job interview is not by how we look, but the job in which we do.
There are many people who would argue that you’ve got to make that grand first impression based on how you look, but you’ve got to do it within that company framework. You need to show them that you can fit in rather than be a live wire that stands out.
What Is Business Casual?
This is an incredibly diverse term that can be difficult to define. Everybody has a different perspective on what business casual really means. However, if you are trying to get to the bottom of this, you need to start balancing some casual wear with formal attire. For example, smart trousers or knee-length skirts are a great base for business casual and matching them with smart tops or a casual blazer can straddle the right balance.
What Should You Do If You Don’t Know the Dress Code?
Many roles have a predetermined guideline when it comes to what you should be wearing. If you are unsure think about some of the following:
- Look at the company’s website or social media pages to see if there are any images. Rather than matching their attire, you need to ensure that you dress a tiny bit more formally than the images present to show that you are serious:
- Contact anybody from the company. If there’s someone you know, you can ask for some dress tips or get in contact with the HR department.
- Check the correspondence. If you look at the ad, job description, or interview invitation the language might give you an indication as to whether they prefer the formal or casual style.
Dressing for an interview can be difficult. It’s vital that you show yourself in the right light and that you take care of yourself and take it yourself seriously. But there can be a lot of misconceptions. Do your prep before you take the step!