The success of a job interview is largely determined by the first impression you make through your perfect appearance. Try to look your best because the first impression only comes once. In addition to impressing the employer/interviewer, he or she will rate you as the most suitable candidate. Your appearance at the interview shows how thorough, neat and professional you are. Read this article so you can impress and succeed in getting the job you want.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Keep it clean
It's a waste of time to wear the best suit if you neglect cleanliness. Take some time to groom and freshen up before the interview. Thus, the potential employer/interviewer will judge you as a person who cares about yourself because you are able to maintain cleanliness.
- Take a shower. Even if you are busy, take time to shower and wash your hair before going to the interview. Apart from making your skin look clean and fresh, you'll also feel better because you've refreshed yourself.
- Wash your hands just before the interview. Usually you will shake hands upon entering the interview room. So, keep your hands clean, fragrant, not sticky, and not looking dirty.
Step 2. Use body care products that smell good and are soft
Good hygiene is also reflected in the pleasant body odor when you enter the interview room. Keep your body clean and fresh so that you don't smell bad smells that bother potential employers/interviewers.
- Men may apply a sufficient amount of cologne or lotion after shaving, not too much.
- Women can apply perfume or apply scented lotion, but avoid perfumes that smell too strong. Don't put perfume on right before the interview so the smell isn't too strong.
- Make sure your breath is fresh when you walk into the interview room. Don't go into the interview while sucking on candy or chewing gum.
Part 2 of 5: Maintaining Appearance
Step 1. Take care of your hair
Make sure you come with clean and neat hair to make it look attractive. Make sure your hair is dry and don't apply too much styling product.
- Style your hair well. Hair that is too long or looks dull can make you look shabby and unprofessional. Men should shave all the hair on the face.
- Know what proper appearance looks like. Guys, don't try to attract attention by making your hair stand up or applying gel. Ladies, don't wear flashy bobby pins or other hair accessories and let your hair down.
- Before the interview, check for dandruff on your shoulders, especially if you're wearing dark clothes.
Step 2. Clean the nails
Employers can immediately see the condition of your hands when shaking hands. So, make it a habit to take care of your nails so that they can be accepted for work. Employers can judge whether you care about the details through the way you take care of your nails.
- Also pay attention to the cleanliness of the lower nails.
- The ladies need to do a manicure. Apply light pink or clear nail polish. Do not apply polish that is too bright in color.
- Men have to cut their nails to make them look neat and clean.
Part 3 of 5: Choosing Work Outfits
Step 1. Wear appropriate clothing for work
If you are interviewing to work in a professional work environment such as a company, bank, or regular office, try to appear professional so the employer will see that you can fit in with the people in their company. If you look too casual, you will look different from the others, appear to care less about your appearance, or don't understand the habit of dressing for the office. Try following some of these suggestions:
- For men, wear a formal suit consisting of dark colored trousers, long-sleeved shirt, office shoes, and bring a bag to make it look more professional.
- For women, wear a formal suit consisting of a top, bottom skirt, stockings (if necessary), and office shoes.
- Try to figure out how to dress the people in the company and adapt. It is better to be better dressed than to be inappropriately dressed.
- If you don't know what to wear, ask the person who contacted you when he or she tells you about the interview schedule.
Step 2. Wear appropriate clothing for a casual work environment
Try to find out what jobs require casual attire, which is a mix of professional and casual attire. This dress is more suitable to be worn when working in the field with special equipment or in dirty places, for example in laboratories, construction areas, or land maintenance. Follow some of these suggestions for choosing casual work attire:
- For men, wear cotton trousers or a drill and a long-sleeved cotton shirt or sweater (if necessary).
- For women, you can wear a corduroy or khaki bottom skirt, a cotton blouse with short sleeves or 3/4 sleeves, and a sweater or cardigan (if necessary).
- If you don't know whether to dress casual or professional, it's better to wear professional attire.
Step 3. Wear clothes for a relaxed work atmosphere
You can wear casual work clothes in certain work environments, for example in companies that are just starting out. You can find information about the work environment by type of business or through the company's website. It can seem old-fashioned and over-the-top if you wear a formal suit to an interview in a casual work environment. For that, follow these suggestions:
- Men, wear simple khaki trousers and short-sleeved shirts.
- Ladies, wear attractive blouses and simple skirts.
- Even though employees at this company dress casually, you can still wear casual work clothes so you don't seem too casual when interviewing.
Part 4 of 5: A Guide for Men
Step 1. Put on the right shirt
Men should wear clean, simple, and ironed shirts to make a good impression. The key to a successful job interview lies in a shirt that is neatly at the shoulders, sleeve length and chest width according to body size, free of blemishes and wrinkles.
- For a professional work environment, wear a single color suit, long sleeve shirt and tie. Don't wear a tie that looks silly or too flashy. Choose a tie whose color matches the suit and shirt and the motif is simple.
- For a casual professional work environment, opt for khaki trousers, ironed short-sleeved shirts, and sweaters (if necessary). Even if you have to look professional, you can wear a tie in a more casual color or pattern.
- For a relaxed work environment, you can wear a neat cotton shirt, but don't wear a "favorite shirt."
- Never wear necklaces or jewelry because it looks like you want attention.
Step 2. Wear the right trousers
Wearing the right trousers can show that you are capable of being a good employee. Therefore, follow these suggestions:
- For a professional or casual work environment, wear matching trousers, shirt, and sweater.
- Make sure your pants are ironed and the length/size fits and covers the ankles.
- Don't wear jeans, even if the work environment is relaxed. You can wear jeans when you are hired.
- Never wear shorts because you look like you want to go on vacation instead of going to a job interview.
Step 3. Wear the right shoes
The interviewer will notice that your feet and a pair of shoes can make or break your appearance. Therefore, follow these suggestions:
- Wear shiny, clean, new shoes (if you can).
- Wear shoes that match your suit.
- For a professional work environment, wear plain office shoes, preferably black leather.
- Wear shoes that fit the company culture. For a job interview in a relaxed work environment, you can wear wingtip shoes, but never flip-flops.
- Wear neat socks. Choose plain socks, preferably dark ones and should cover the ankles.
Step 4. Wear the right accessories
Men may only wear certain accessories so that the clothes they wear can look more attractive, for example:
- An attractive gold or silver color watch that is not too flashy.
- Dark leather waistband and metal buckle. Don't go into a job interview without wearing a belt.
- Map or bag. While you don't have to give the interviewer any documents or written information, carrying a folder or bag makes you look more ready to work. Just ignore this advice if you're going to be interviewing in a relaxed work environment, especially if you don't have to carry a bag to work later.
Part 5 of 5: A Guide for Women
Step 1. Look fresh
The face is the first thing the interviewer will see. Therefore, your face should look professional, attractive and fresh by following some of these suggestions:
- Make up your eyes as beautiful as possible with matching colors. Apply dark eyeliner, matching eyeshadow, and black mascara. That way, the interviewer can see that you've taken the time to pay attention to your appearance.
- Apply lipstick with a color that matches the clothes you wear.
- Don't apply too much makeup. Make up enough to make it look more attractive. Don't go for bright pink lipstick, excessive blush, or bright green eye shadow. Your appearance should be appropriate for work, not for a party.
Step 2. Wear the right top
Choosing the right top is very important in determining clothing. Keep in mind that clothing choices can influence hiring decisions. Therefore, follow some of the following tips so that you can choose the right top:
- For a professional work environment, wear a blue or black blazer or long-sleeved blouse.
- For a casual or casual work environment, wear a blouse with a sweater or cardigan.
- Don't wear tops with low necklines. Unless you are applying for a job that emphasizes appearance, never wear a top with a low neckline. Besides appearing stupid and cheap, the interviewer will be more interested in staring at your chest than listening to what you have to say. Even if you're applying for a job in a casual workplace, your asset is not an asset to this company.
- Don't wear transparent clothes. Potential employers won't be interested in your belly button, bra, or chest. Hide your bra straps too.
Step 3. Wear a proper down skirt
Choose a black or navy blue skirt that is slightly below the knee. Apart from having to match the blouse, your skirt should be clean, ironed, and neat. For that, follow some of these suggestions:
- For a professional work environment, wear a bottom skirt and a top made of the same material.
- For a casual or casual work environment, wear a cotton or khaki skirt.
- Whatever the material, your skirt should be long enough to sit comfortably and cover your thighs. Don't keep yourself busy tugging at the skirt during the interview.
- If wearing an underskirt, try not to be seen.
- Wear neutral colored stockings. Don't wear fishnet, colorful, or patterned stockings because you'll look cheap. Remember that stockings are very easy to tear. So, carry spare stockings in your bag just in case before the interview. Large torn stockings will distract the interviewer.
Step 4. Put on cool shoes
Cool shoes will really support the clothes you wear. The interviewer will look at your feet as you sit down. So, try to look your best.
- Wear dark shoes, preferably black.
- Don't wear shoes that show your toes.
- Choose shoes with appropriate heels. Do not wear shoes without heels or shoes with heels that are too high and pointy. Try practicing walking in the shoes you would wear to the interview. Make sure your shoes are in good condition and clean.
Step 5. Wear the right accessories
Although you don't need to wear excessive accessories, choosing the right accessories can make you look more attractive and support the clothes you wear. To choose the right accessory, follow these suggestions:
- Wear simple and attractive jewelry. Choose a plain silver necklace, ring, or matching bracelet if you want a classic look. Do not wear excessive jewelry because you will look like a walk-in window or seem like you want to look fashionable. Do not wear more than one ring and bracelet.
- Don't show off more than one piercing. Even if you have had your ears pierced several times, wear only a pair of earrings or studs. Remove it first if there is an accessory on the nose.
- Bring a simple folder or bag. Even if you don't have to submit documents at the interview, show that you are ready to work with a folder or bag.
- For a relaxed work environment, you can simply bring a plain handbag.
Tips
- Turn off the cell phone before entering the interview room.
- Don't bother bringing other items into the interview room, such as a water bottle or a cup of coffee. This will give the impression that you are at home.
- Dress up for an interview via Skype. Even if you aren't asked, the interviewer will be more impressed if you are well prepared for the interview. Wear neat trousers or skirts to make it feel more formal, even if it's invisible.
- Be aware of current styles and trends. The width of the lapel of a suit or dress model can change at any time, according to fashion, or season. Pay attention to how the professionals in your current line of work dress.
- Even though the interview will be conducted over the phone, dress up professionally so that you are more serious about the interview.