You may have spent hours researching the company and have all the right credentials for the role, but when going for an interview what you wear can have just as big an impact when it comes to clinching the role.
Victoria McLean, founder of award-winning career consultancy City CV, has spent years working in high-end recruitment around the world for a host of blue chip companies.
And she says that knowing how to hit the right note is becoming increasingly difficult as work environments becoming more and more casual, especially if you’re looking for a job with a startup or tech firm.
‘I advise hundreds of clients across a huge range of industries on what to wear and what to avoid for job interviews,’ Victoria told FEMAIL. ‘It’s still vitally important to dress the part and look smart – first impressions are made in the first 30 seconds of meeting someone so they really do count.
‘Your interviewer will make an instant judgement based on what you’re wearing. It’s a fine line to tread between standing out and wearing clothes that are distracting – the star of the show should be you, not your outfit.
It basically boils down to the three ‘Ps’ – clothes should be polished, professional and pertinent to the job in question. Stick to good quality neutral basics with pops of colour where appropriate, and let your personality rather than your clothes stand out
Here Victoria shares the fashion dos and don’ts that will help you land your dream job.
Sticking to an outfit in netural, understated colours is the key to success so you can let your personality take centre stage (stock image)
AVOID OBVIOUS DESIGNER LABELS
Everyone knows to avoid showing off too much cleavage or having embarrassingly short skirts, wearing clothes that are ill-fitting or too tight, trainers, sportswear, shorts, hoodies, jeans, flip flops or anything dirty or stained. Your hair shouldn’t be messy or unwashed and neither should you.
But don’t go over the top either. Even if you’re going for a job in fashion, it’s best not to turn up in the latest Stella McCartney dress and a bright pink crocodile Hermes Birkin fresh from Net A Porter.
You don’t want to appear too try-hard or flashy. Besides which, your interviewer may have a very different opinion of a designer than you do. I’m no fan of Moschino for example, but I adore Ralph Lauren.
NO BROWN, RED OR ORANGE
Colour has a big psychological impact on people, and that’s brought into sharp focus in job interviews.
Studies have shown that wearing brown clothes gives the idea that you’re old-fashioned and passive, and you won’t be a forward-thinking, dynamic employee, whereas red has been shown to convey that you’re too assertive or even rebellious.
It’s too powerful and people – women in particular – often feel threatened by other women who wear red.
Orange meanwhile has been found to be the worst colour to wear, as hiring managers feel it’s unprofessional.
However, navy blue is often the best choice, as it inspires confidence. It’s also less imposing than black, and gives the message that you’re a friendly person.
If you’re in a more creative area, then purple may be a good choice, as it suggests you’re artistic.
This season’s trends of eye-popping fuchsia, bright yellow and tropical green can be used to convey creativity and optimism, but use sparingly.
Show your personality perhaps with flashes of colour when it comes to accessories, like scarves or shoes, or a statement necklace or shirt.
NO VISIBLE TATTOOS
Be on the safe side and cover up any tattoos. I have heard of too many cases of interviewers rejecting candidates on the basis of tattoos.
Research undertaken by St Andrews University suggests that the majority of employers feel tattoos are taboo and that ‘ultimately, it does not matter what they think of tattoos.
What really matters, instead, is how customers might perceive employees with visible tattoos.’
If you really want the job, then cover up any visible tattoos. Your future employer may well have no issue with them, but they know some of their customers might (stock image)
LOUD PRINTS, STRIPES AND POLKA DOTS ARE OUT
As with colours, subtlety is needed. Seaside stripes may be in right now, but you don’t want to give the impression you’ve just stepped off the beach.
Patterns and prints can be too distracting and they’re more likely to attract negative opinion as they’re very subjective.
Always err on the side of conservative and cautious. Keep any prints or patterns low key, and favour more neutral colours if you do go for one of the many floral dresses adorning the shop windows right now.
Logos, even for high end labels, send out the wrong message, so avoid.
SKIP THE ON-TREND MANICURE
Whether it’s Game of Thrones nail art, metallic stripes, black accents, geometric patterns, colour blocking, gold foils or neon colours – avoid.
Just keep to a plain and simple manicure. This summer’s trend for ladylike neutrals in rose pink is one current fashion that’s acceptable.
Definitely don’t go in with chipped varnish. It sends a message that you’re sloppy when it comes to the details and possibly that your time-keeping skills are going to be terrible if you couldn’t even find the time to do your nails beforehand.
Keep all make-up minimal, and avoid too much fake tan or OTT HD eyebrows. The more natural you can look, the better.
Victoria McLean says that red dresses can be intimidating, especially to other women
If you have long hair make sure it’s tied back, neat and tidy. Your hair shouldn’t cover your face at interview – the interviewer should see your face and your expressions.
Take a trip to the salon and have your roots done, it’s an investment well worth making. Remember if you are interviewing for a client-facing role, the hirer must know you will present well to their clients so you have to look the part.
And whatever you do, don’t fiddle with, twirl or flick your hair during the interview.
AVOID HEELS IF YOU DON’T USUALLY WEAR THEM
If you can walk easily in high heels and they’re going to make you feel good, then go for it – feeling confident is vital for job interview success.
But if you can’t comfortably walk in them, you’re going to give totally the wrong impression when you wobble into the room. It’s far better to wear smart flats.
NO STATEMENT EARRINGS OR ALTERNATIVE PIERCINGS
This summer’s trend for big, arty shoulder-skimming earrings or one single over-sized earring is great, but keep anything dangly, spangly and asymmetric out of the job interview room.
Again, avoid anything potentially distracting. Keep jewellery to a minimum – maybe a single statement necklace with stud earrings.
Remove any alternative piercings that aren’t in your ears.