Making your interview outfit work for you

Did you know, that it takes an interviewer seconds to decide how they feel about you? As, believe it or not, when it comes to interviews, first impressions really do count. You might have the best CV they’ve seen, the handshake you’ve been practising might be just right and your interview questions are on point. But one thing that many people trip themselves up on? Their interview outfit.

* Collaborative post

Whether you’re going for a job at your local, a big interview at an up and coming office in the city or support worker jobs with your local council, you should never underestimate the power of a great interview outfit. So here are 3 of the best tips on how to get it just right on the day.

Do a little research

So a suit and tie might not be your thing, but the last thing you want is to feel out of place when you show up to your interview. Likewise, if you turn up in a brand-new suit and everyone else at the interview is wearing jeans then you might feel a little stuffy.

The best thing you can do is complete a little research before you head out to the shops to buy something new. If you don’t know anyone who works there, take a look on sites like LinkedIn and check out the attire in profile pictures of people who currently work there. Or if they have a Facebook business page, see if you can gauge from events or images from the office what the company culture is like.

Don’t buy anything new

But if you do, make sure it’s – you. So you might have found out that the company’s attire is formal and smart. But that doesn’t mean you have to rush out and buy a new suit. Smart chinos, a crisp shirt and smart jacket and shoes is more than acceptable, as is a blouse, jacket and trousers/dress or skirt – unless you’ve been informed to wear a suit. 

You need to be comfortable during your interview and not be worried about how crumpled your new suit is getting, or whether or not you new blouse is slipping down over your bra. You don’t know how these new clothes are going to “behave” on your body and wearing them to an important interview isn’t the time to find out how. If you feel the need to buy something new, then wear it around the house a few times before you venture out with it. Wear something you feel confident and comfortable in.

Let the pieces come together

You want the interviewer to know that you have the whole package. So make sure that is reflected in your attire. That includes everything from your earrings to your umbrella and even your bag. You might be wearing a snappy suit but that will mean very little once the interviewer catches sight of those socks with the hole in the top or the bobbly pair of tights you’ve had for years!