We all know that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but when you walk into a job interview, your interviewer will form an impression of you based on what you are wearing.
In finding the candidate that is best suited for the role that you have applied for, the interviewer will take your appearance into account. After all, if you couldn’t take an extra five mins that morning to iron your shirt and polish your shoes, are you someone they want to hand all the responsibilities of that role to? Perhaps not.
Dress for comfort
When it comes to choosing clothes for an interview the most important thing is to be comfortable in what you are wearing. The last thing you want to be worried about during your interview is how tight your pants are around your waist or how you might choke and die any minute because your tie feels too tight. Being comfortable is key if you want to appear relaxed and confident during the interview process, but this does not mean that you should rock up in your sweatpants and Converse.
Dress accordingly
That is why dressing accordingly is the second most important thing. If, for example, you are going for an interview for a position as an assistant/clerk at a law firm, you want to look like you are someone who can fit right into the organisation. Dressing the part matters!
Don’t be shy about wearing colour
Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with colour and show a little bit of your personality through your fashion. If you’re someone who would be comfortable and confident in rocking a pink blazer, more power to you! Just make sure it fits you well and compliments the rest of your outfit.
Checklist
I’ve prepared a short checklist of items you should be on the lookout for:
A suit that fits well (preferably, black, grey or navy blue)
A formal, collared shirt (or a blouse for the ladies)
A tie (guys, this is optional and depends on the organisation/role you’re applying to)
Corporate formal shoes for the guys (probably best to pair these with plain, dark socks not the ones with the Star Wars print on them!)
Ladies, you can wear any sort of heels or flats as long as they compliment the outfit and are a neutral colour.
That’s it. Taking an extra five minutes to pick the right outfit will always be the difference between a bad first impression and a good first impression! Good luck for your interview!
Enjoyed this post? Sign up for the Survive Law weekly newsletter for more.