4 Guidelines to Ensure You're The Best Dressed Interviewee

There are only a few occasions where making a positive first impression is more important than at a job interview. All it takes is one-tenth of a second to make a judgment of a person and those initial impressions play a more important decision in the hiring process than one would think. Your appearance not only shows that you are serious about the opportunity, but that you are eager and you’ve done your due diligence to understand the culture of the office. 

A well-tailored suit or dress speaks volumes and can give the impression you are detail-oriented and thorough. A brighter color or patterned garment can suggest confidence and help you stand out among a sea of candidates, but be careful that it's not too distracting.

Dressing for the big interview can be intimidating and a challenge, but follow these guidelines to make the process less daunting:

1. Don’t know what to wear?

2. It’s worth it to invest.

3. Test-drive your interview outfit.

4. Pay attention to your posture, body language, and overall grooming.

In addition to dazzling your future colleagues with impressive attire, keep in mind that posture, body language and overall grooming (hair, nails, facial hair) can be equally as important in setting the tone of the interview. 55% of communication is body language, 38% is the tone of your voice, and 7% is the actual spoken words. When it comes to your signature scent, play it safe. If it's overpowering or not favorable to others, this can be distracting to the interviewer and a huge turn off. 

There are a lot of little details to be cognizant of when it comes to the interview process, but most importantly, don't loose sight of yourself. Yes, appearance is an important part of this process, but it's not everything. Follow these guidelines to mitigate pre-interview jitters and fashion frustration, but in the end it's your professional experience and industry knowledge that gets you into the seat.