Dress well! – What to wear for the job interview?

The big day is here: you’ve got a job interview. But right now, you’re sitting on your bed in pyjamas, thinking about what to wear for the occasion. Well, the good news is: you’re not alone. We’re here to help you get out of this situation with a few quick tips.

The right clothes for the right occasion

Believe it or not, first impressions matter, even – if not especially – in a professional environment. If you appear well-groomed and elegant, you’ve got a better chance at getting the job.

Feeling comfortable in your clothes can also help leaving a good impression. That’s why we suggest you think before you dress. Wear something that looks good on you, something that’s your size and something with a shape that suits your body. Also pay attention to the materials of your clothing; wear something made out of natural and breathable fabric to lessen the unpleasant side-effects of stress-induced sweating!

Dress code

To know what to wear, you must know what they expect of you. If you have the opportunity, look into whether the company you applied to has a dress code or not! If you can’t find any info on the matter, then we recommend a business-casual outfit.

Business-casual style means more elegant items of clothing, such as suits, ties, dresses or blazers.  Colour-wise white, black and dark blue are more dominant. While assembling an outfit, pay attention to the details; don’t wear something ill-fitting, too short or too revealing! When it comes to blazers and jackets, make sure they fit you even while buttoned!

Accessories can make your outfit more personal. Wearing a tasteful watch, for example, can make you appear punctual and professional. But remember, less is more, so don’t overdo it!

Shopping

If reading the previous paragraphs has remined you that the last time you wore a white shirt was your high school graduation, then you’ve got serious shopping to do. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can approach this topic.

The easiest one is going to the nearest mall and looking through every shop that sells clothes. But look out, most shops have their own unique profile and target audience! We recommend visiting shops where the mannequins are dressed in formal attire.

It’s also worth mentioning, that different shops mean a varying price-range. Fast fashion provides a cheaper option, but that often comes with a compromise in product-quality. Slow fashion, on the other hand, means quality brands but higher prices. If you want something that’ll last you decades but doesn’t cost a fortune, thrifting may just be a fitting solution. However, shopping second-hand also comes with its own kind of sacrifice, since finding the right items requires more time and work. Also, you don’t have the choice of going up or down a size in case something doesn’t fit you just right. For these reasons, we don’t recommend this method as a last resort.

If you’re running out of time, buying your outfit online might be the best option for you. However, in this case, you accept the risk of the clothes not fitting, since you can’t try them on beforehand.

Borrowing clothes

When push comes to shove, you can always borrow some clothes from your friends or parents. This way you can save both time and money, and it’s also a good short-term solution if you only need those clothes for one interview. However, you should keep in mind that sooner or later you’ll have to acquire a formal outfit, because most companies have a dress code. Moreover, keeping a few elegant clothes in your closet can come in handy when another type of formal occasion comes up.

Hygiene

No matter how great your outfit is if you otherwise appear unkempt and unhygienic. It goes without saying that before your interview you should shower and brush your teeth thoroughly! Don’t forget deodorant either, after all, nobody likes a smelly person! You also ought to keep your clothes clean and get rid of wrinkles by ironing them! If you follow these steps, you’ll have a better chance at getting the position you wished for, which may just turn out to be your dream-job.