Do clothes really make a difference to how interviewers respond to you? We asked an expert: Sandy Ruddock, an image consultant for Public i, the specialists in training, communication and personal presentation skills. Here's how to choose the right interview attire. So, do clothes really make a difference to your chances of job success? ‘Most certainly, yes,’ says Sandy. ‘Most of us are very visual – we use our sight in order to judge everything around us. When meeting people we will often make an instant judgement, based on appearance, within three seconds. If an interviewer doesn’t like men with ponytails, and you walk in there with a ponytail, you’re at a distinct disadvantage.’
So that’s just what you wanted to read – it’s all subjective and if the interviewer doesn’t like the look of you then you’re screwed? Actually, no you’re not. ‘You need to be as neutral as possible,’ says Sandy. ‘You don’t want to do or wear anything that distracts the interviewer’s attention from you. Wear a suit that is as plain as possible, as it gives you more flexibility than a patterned suit – a pattern limits what you can wear with it. Go for dark colours like navy or charcoal grey, but not black. Black is associated with uniform, middle management and funerals.’ OK, so now we’re really getting somewhere. But how do things differ for men and women?
What should men wear? Arguably things are much easier for men. Suit, shirt, tie, shoes, and Bob’s your uncle. But even in that short list there are plenty of things that can go wrong or right. Did you notice that ‘belt’ wasn’t listed? Well you should have – a belt is very important. ‘Wear a suit with a pale shirt, such as white or very pale blue, with a stronger coloured tie,’ Sandy tells us. ‘Wear a belt, preferably black with a subtle buckle. If it’s a belt you normally wear with your jeans then it’s probably not appropriate. Cuff links can be very authoritative, so gauge whether this is the impression you want to make. Make sure your shoes are very well polished, and lace-ups look smarter than slip-ons as a rule.’ Going for a more ‘individual’ look, whether with your clothes or hair, can be a bit of a gamble. ‘I’ve heard it said that red socks on a man can display individuality, but perhaps only one in 50 interviewers may agree,’ says Sandy. ‘It’s best to rise above any possible criticism regarding your look. Clean-shaven is always best and goatees and stubble are definitely out’.
What should women wear? It has been estimated by fictional scientists that women spend 37 per cent of their lives worrying about what to wear, so interviews can be a particularly traumatic time. In the same way as for men, it is best to keep things simple and neutral. ‘A skirt suit is the best and most formal, with the skirt cut to the knee,’ Sandy confirms, although a matching dark plain trouser suit is acceptable – gauge the formality of the organisation. ‘Wear mid-height, court shoes (not sling back or peep-toe), so you don’t have your toes or heels showing. As a general rule in the most formal settings, do as men do. Men would not have their toes or their neckline showing, so neither should you.’ But what of the infinite possibilities offered by the modest or extravagant accessory? ‘Women should avoid showing too much flesh at the neck, so wear a necklace or a scarf,’ says Sandy. ‘Scarves are good, but make sure they are neatly tied rather than draped. Men wear ties because the higher up the neckline, the more authority it suggests. This is why airline staff always wear collars and scarves up to their chins.’
Unisex fashion tips As far as accessories go, both the male and female of the species can wear the humble watch. ‘Wearing a professional-looking watch (ie nothing with Mickey Mouse on, or flashing digital numbers) can show the interviewer that you value time,’ says Sandy. ‘Glancing at your mobile would create the opposite impression, so keep your mobile switched off and out of sight.’ If you’re a glasses wearer then remember that they ‘can look authoritative and professional, but make sure they don’t look old-fashioned or too quirky, as this can reflect badly on you’.
Perhaps the most important thing that Sandy wants to stress is the importance of good grooming and ironing. Even the nicest charcoal grey suit with very pale blue shirt, stronger coloured tie, belt and quality accessories will be ignored if your hair is greasy, your shirt is greasier and you emit an unpleasant body odour.
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Do clothes really make a difference to how interviewers respond to you? We asked an expert: Sandy Ruddock, an image consultant for Public i, the specialists in training, communication and personal presentation skills. Here's how to choose the right interview attire.
So, do clothes really make a difference to your chances of job success? ‘Most certainly, yes,’ says Sandy. ‘Most of us are very visual – we use our sight in order to judge everything around us. When meeting people we will often make an instant judgement, based on appearance, within three seconds. If an interviewer doesn’t like men with ponytails, and you walk in there with a ponytail, you’re at a distinct disadvantage.’
So that’s just what you wanted to read – it’s all subjective and if the interviewer doesn’t like the look of you then you’re screwed? Actually, no you’re not. ‘You need to be as neutral as possible,’ says Sandy. ‘You don’t want to do or wear anything that distracts the interviewer’s attention from you. Wear a suit that is as plain as possible, as it gives you more flexibility than a patterned suit – a pattern limits what you can wear with it. Go for dark colours like navy or charcoal grey, but not black. Black is associated with uniform, middle management and funerals.’ OK, so now we’re really getting somewhere. But how do things differ for men and women?
What should men wear?
Arguably things are much easier for men. Suit, shirt, tie, shoes, and Bob’s your uncle. But even in that short list there are plenty of things that can go wrong or right. Did you notice that ‘belt’ wasn’t listed? Well you should have – a belt is very important. ‘Wear a suit with a pale shirt, such as white or very pale blue, with a stronger coloured tie,’ Sandy tells us. ‘Wear a belt, preferably black with a subtle buckle. If it’s a belt you normally wear with your jeans then it’s probably not appropriate. Cuff links can be very authoritative, so gauge whether this is the impression you want to make. Make sure your shoes are very well polished, and lace-ups look smarter than slip-ons as a rule.’ Going for a more ‘individual’ look, whether with your clothes or hair, can be a bit of a gamble. ‘I’ve heard it said that red socks on a man can display individuality, but perhaps only one in 50 interviewers may agree,’ says Sandy. ‘It’s best to rise above any possible criticism regarding your look. Clean-shaven is always best and goatees and stubble are definitely out’.
What should women wear?
It has been estimated by fictional scientists that women spend 37 per cent of their lives worrying about what to wear, so interviews can be a particularly traumatic time. In the same way as for men, it is best to keep things simple and neutral. ‘A skirt suit is the best and most formal, with the skirt cut to the knee,’ Sandy confirms, although a matching dark plain trouser suit is acceptable – gauge the formality of the organisation. ‘Wear mid-height, court shoes (not sling back or peep-toe), so you don’t have your toes or heels showing. As a general rule in the most formal settings, do as men do. Men would not have their toes or their neckline showing, so neither should you.’ But what of the infinite possibilities offered by the modest or extravagant accessory? ‘Women should avoid showing too much flesh at the neck, so wear a necklace or a scarf,’ says Sandy. ‘Scarves are good, but make sure they are neatly tied rather than draped. Men wear ties because the higher up the neckline, the more authority it suggests. This is why airline staff always wear collars and scarves up to their chins.’
Unisex fashion tips
As far as accessories go, both the male and female of the species can wear the humble watch. ‘Wearing a professional-looking watch (ie nothing with Mickey Mouse on, or flashing digital numbers) can show the interviewer that you value time,’ says Sandy. ‘Glancing at your mobile would create the opposite impression, so keep your mobile switched off and out of sight.’ If you’re a glasses wearer then remember that they ‘can look authoritative and professional, but make sure they don’t look old-fashioned or too quirky, as this can reflect badly on you’.
Perhaps the most important thing that Sandy wants to stress is the importance of good grooming and ironing. Even the nicest charcoal grey suit with very pale blue shirt, stronger coloured tie, belt and quality accessories will be ignored if your hair is greasy, your shirt is greasier and you emit an unpleasant body odour.
taken from Targetjobs.co.uk
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