With or without a tie, fine trousers or jeans? Choosing the right clothes for work or job interviews is not that easy. On the one hand, it must be appropriate for the position, the employer and the industry, and on the other hand, one should also feel comfortable in one’s clothing.
How clothing affects others
Clothes have a big impact on how you feel and how others perceive you. It’s not for nothing that it says: clothes make people – and the first impression counts!
Image consultant Christiane Dierks underlines the effect of the right outfit to support your career: Through clothing, you can look more assertive, competent, communicative or simply bigger or more serious. Strong contrasts and dark colors often appear cool and distant, while harmoniously tuned shades appear friendlier and more communicative.
Clothing in professional life
A certain dress code in the profession depends primarily on the industry. The conservative Insurance – or Financial sector also requires equally conservative and serious clothing. In creative professions the wardrobe is also mostly more casual and individual. If there is no customer contact, the so-called upscale leisure wear such as a good jeans with a jacket or the blouse to the skirt is also common.
Regardless of the location, expect employer of applicants in a job interview neat clothing and a well-groomed appearance. With which clothes you achieve this is on a different sheet. This is where the conventions for the desired place to.
TIPS FOR CLOTHES IN THE INTERVIEW
- The garments should have a good fit – neither too tight, nor too far, or too long or too short. Because when it tweaks and slips, you’re distracted and don’t feel comfortable.
- Don’t dress up! Sure, you should make yourself a little smarter for this occasion, but the most important thing is still that your clothes suit you and you feel comfortable in it.
- Ask your friends how to find your outfit. An objective opinion is often very useful if you dress more casually in everyday life.
- Your clothes should be well-groomed and clean. Spots or holes are taboo. You may also need to get the iron out.
- You too should come to the job interview freshly showered, with washed hair, a neat hairstyle and, if available, well-groomed beard.
- The wardrobe should also fit the advertised place. More on this below.
- Pay attention to harmoniously tuned colors. A wild mix of colors can distract from the actual content of your conversation and possibly make you look set up.
- A few selected accessories can give your outfit a personal touch despite the dress code.
- Sample Wear: Put on your application outfit beforehand to get used to it.
- Check out the company’s website. If there are employee photos, you can spit there as everyone is dressed. From this you can deduce your choice of clothes.
CLOTHES IN A JOB INTERVIEW FOR MEN
The dress code varies from industry to industry. We’ll give you some tips on what to wear where.
Here you need a classic outfit
In job interviews for management positions, in the Finance and at traditional companies, leather shoes, suit, shirt and tie are mandatory for men. Choose muted and coordinated colors. This also applies to all jobs in which the company is represented to employees, customers or business partners. If you’re not wearing a tie, the shirt should definitely be buttoned up.
CLOTHES IN A JOB INTERVIEW FOR WOMEN
Women also have different options for outfits in the job interview depending on the size and industry of the company.
Here you wear a classic outfit
In job interviews for leadership positions, in the financial sector and at traditional companies, blouse with suit or blazer is mandatory. You can choose between a trouser suit or a skirt. The blouse should not have a deep neckline.
If you’re wearing a dress instead of a trouser suit, it should have a business cut. So not too short, not too tight and with restrained colors and patterns. Optimal is a firmer suit fabric.