A formal job interview is a nerve-wracking experience, requiring formal dress and a confident persona.
Despite the coronavirus moving many job interviews online, all the same practices often still apply. Among other things, that means looking the part, presenting the best version of yourself possible. How you dress in this situation demonstrates your attitude to work, your ability to make an effort, and how well you fall in line with a code of conduct. Everyone already knows to wear a suit or formal dress of some kind, so what else should you consider?
Therefore, here are 3 top tips to help you dress well for the formal job interview.
Colour Consistency
Formal dress is about looking immaculate, paying close attention to things like the symmetry or and consistency of your overall look.
Whether you’re wearing a suit, dress, or a gender-neutral outfit, one golden rule is always the same; utilise a dedicated and traditional colour scheme. Black and navy are likely to be the best options for formal wear, so find an attire in those hues. Your shoes are not exempt from the rule either, so you need to look great from tip to toe.
A colour scheme demonstrates your aptitude for planning, organising your attire with a sense of structure. Frankly, anyone who walks into a formal interview with mismatching colours might appear to have gotten ready hastily, throwing anything on as they went out the door. Stay consistent, and conform to the traditional tones.
Utilise Accessories
Accessories aren’t just for show – they reflect your desire to land a strong first impression passively.
Formal interviews are about showing what you’re made of, and subtlety is just as powerful an influence as anything else. Even if the potential employer can’t quite put your finger on what is making you stand out, it’s your jewellery that can tip the scales just that little more in your favour. Interviewers love reading into candidates, and your accessories give them layers to pour through.
Instead of buying new accessories, you can simply update your own. Give your jewellery a polishing, your glasses a clean, and update your watch straps to give your formal attire a refresh. Companies like Watch Strap Style make sure that you can customise your timepieces whenever you should wish to. Their range of leather watch straps will add some sophistication, and fast delivery is guaranteed, which means you have plenty of time to make changes at the eleventh hour. Keep fine tuning your outfit until you’re fully satisfied, and then you’ll be able to perform your best.
Strike a Balance
Though it’s important to look suave and sophisticated for a formal job interview, a balance is absolutely needed.
Make sure your accessories are infrequent but used effectively. Otherwise, you risk looking more like a fashion model than a serious candidate for a job. Dressing ‘too well’ can mean that you actually do yourself a disservice, prioritising glamour or personal vanity over the practical nature of the job. The Telegraph reported in 2017 that people have one minute to score a positive impression with an interviewer, so every second of that time needs to count for something positive.
Wear accessories, but not in excess. Otherwise you might clutter what would otherwise be a nice outfit. Favour natural hairstyles and use minimal product, because anything considered to be ‘out there’ might be distracting or undermine the formality of the proceedings. In the end, it’s important to have a sensible, balanced approach to organising your outfit.
