Positive dressing for a successful job interview

"Put even the plainest woman into a beautiful dress and unconsciously she will try to live up to it." Lady Duff-Gordon (1863 - 1935)

I've interviewed many people for different jobs over the years and I always come back to a quote that I remember Peter Daniels stating, "The clothes don't make the man - but they sure do introduce him." Research has shown that first impressions have a strong influence on future relationships and as this is a key to gaining successful employment it needs to be thought through really well.

It isn't that interviewers have an uncanny knack of discerning a quality employee. It is actually more the case of a self-fulfilling reaction. "People seem to make these predictions based on first impressions and then act in a manner that makes the relationship become what they expected," M. Sunnafrank states.

As an interviewer trying to assess the possiblity of a future relationship I will always default to my own impressions of what this person is telling me via their resume but also through their body language, attire and sense of being. But of these three, their level of dress will make the most impactful statement if it's wrong. If it's right, it may go under the radar and other, more important, factors will play a bigger part.

Here are the basics if you want to dress for success;

For Men

Ensure your clothes are ironed or pressed. Dressing in a shirt or pants that are unironed gives a signal of laziness and tardiness.

If you have facial hair make sure it's neat and tidy. If not, then be clean shaven.

If you sport stubble growth on your face and this is the image you are trying to portray then it doesn't need to shaved off but it does need to be kept well.

Your hair also needs to be kept tidy. The current look for most men's fashion is messy hair but there is a difference between hair that's made to look messy and messy hair. Avoid the latter.

Wear cologne sparingly and if you use spray-on deodorant don't apply it prior to walking in the door.

Hide any visible body-piercings and remove tongue piercings. While many employers have no problem with you wearing these for work just remember this is just the interview process. Unless you really need to make a statement with your image, tone it down.

Wear appropriate shoes for the job you're after. While Globe's, Nike's and Etnies may be great leisure wear for the weekend they're no good at presenting the company's next assistant manager.

Don't overdress. If you're jockeying for a Park Ranger position then turning up in a 3 piece suit is highly innappropriate.

For Women

Cocktail dresses are for cocktail parties. I'm not sure about other employers but I find that trying to be wooed by a female's anatomy is highly unsuccessful. It actually shows a little of her character and is not usually what most employers are looking for.
Wear makeup and jewellery sparingly. By all means use it to highlight your features but don't use it to highlight your makeup range.
Women do not necessarily have to wear a dress or skirt. Most positions, even more professional opportunities are relaxing their dress code and expectations. Less professional men are wearing ties and less women sport stiletto's.
If in doubt, try and view what people who are currently employed by the prospective firm are wearing a day or two prior to your interview. As they say, "When in Rome, do as the Roman's do."

Your hair should be neat and well groomed but it shouldn't look like you've just walked out of a beauty salon and the first breeze that lifts will send it sprawling. Most employers aren't looking for supermodels or movie stars.

Only wear a hint of perfume. If the employer is gasping for air after your initial handshake then you may have applied a little too much.

Like the guys, your outfit should be clean and ironed or pressed. If you have small children that you care for have a friend come and help look after them while you're getting ready not just when you're leaving. And don't allow your young kids come and hug you with their jam-covered hands.

Your hands should be clean and fingernails manicured or at least kept trim.

While you may dress for success as an important aspect of your presentation, your demeanour and posture will also send positive or negative signals to your interviewer. Here are a few more hints for how to display great body language.

When offered a seat prior to meeting your interviewer, refuse it and remain standing. If you've dressed well for your appointment you don't want your interviewer's first impression of you awkwardly trying to climb out of a sofa.
When greeted, if you are offered a hand to shake make sure you grasp it well and apply a firm grip. There is nothing worse than a first impression "Wet Fish".
When sitting during the interview process, resist folding your arms or your legs too tightly. Keeping your hands together in your lap is a safe posture and won't send any unwanted alarms to your interviewer.
Don't play or fiddle with your hands. Certainly don't bite your fingernails or if you have a page and a pen, don't be distracted by doodling.
Retain eye contact both when you are listening to the questions and when you are responding.
Don't tell the interviewer that you're nervous. She already knows that you are and wants to see whether you can carry yourself confidently despite this.
Practice standing from a chair so that when the interview process is over you can confidently leave the room without appearing awkward or nervous.
Always thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity to meet with them.