What Not to Wear at Interview
So far so good. You’ve done really well and got yourself an interview –congratulations! First impressions count and the last thing you want to do now is blow it all by turning up to the interview looking totally out of place.
The interview dress code will depend on the actual opportunity you’re going for so you will need to use your common sense. But here are a few tips and hints to keep you on the straight and narrow.
In
- Neat, clean, ironed clothes. You don’t need to go to the expense of buying anything new as long as you have something that’s reasonably smart
- Long sleeved tops or shirts - especially if you have tattoos on your arms
- Full length trousers or skirts that are no shorter than knee length.
- Clean, sensible shoes
- A plain jacket to wear over your shirt or top. Make sure the colour matches in with the rest of your outfit
- Clean, tidy hair. It’s not a good idea to shave your head or dye your hair the night before your interview!
- Good personal hygiene. Make sure your hands and nails are clean and that you brush your teeth (or chew some minty gum) just before your interview. This is especially important if you smoke.
- Tucked in shirt if you’re wearing a shirt and tie.
Out
- The rumpled, creased just got out of bed look!
- Anything ‘too’ casual (for example, hooded tops, trainers, ¾ length trousers, tops with big or rude logos on them)
- Lots of piercings. If you’ve got loads of facial piercings take them out before your interview
- Anything too short or revealing. Ladies – short skirts, hipster trousers or crop tops are all no, no’s
- White socks with dark trousers
- Loads of make-up – don’t put it on with a trowel
- Too much aftershave or perfume – it’s not a good idea to knock your interviewer unconscious with your smell
