Career Corner: Dressing for interview success
The first impression you make
meeting a potential new employer
may be vital to surviving the interview,
so make it a favourable one.
You may feel confident with your
communication style, firm handshake
and direct eye contact, but
have you fallen short on your personal
grooming and attire? After
all, people do judge a book by its
cover. For men, dressing for an
interview is simple: a suit and tie
will work for any setting. For
women, knowing exactly how to
dress and what to wear can be
more complicated.
Today, the question of how to dress for a job interview seems harder to answer than ever before. Office dress codes vary dramatically from company to company and industry to industry. The standard of a conservative jacket and skirt for women has given way to a multitude of fashion ensembles. Many companies offer a business casual dress code while some maintain a traditional business code and expect those interviewing for jobs to at least be well dressed.
Rather than leaving it to chance, the first thing you should do is research and find out what the appropriate dress code is for that company. Showing that you know something about the office culture is a signal to the interviewer that you take the job opportunity, the company and yourself seriously. So raise the bar on your interview attire to be at least one notch higher than what employees in the company would wear on a daily basis.
Most human resources and career professionals say that if you are at all unsure of what to wear to a job interview that you should err on the conservative side and wear a suit. This applies to both the gentlemen and the ladies. For the casual interview, guys can leave off the jacket, but make sure you wear dress pants and a good shirt which may be paired with a sweater. Ladies, wear a nice knit top with the suit pants or skirt; for anything dressier, throw on the jacket. Although pants used to be considered more casual by the business world, today a pant suit is seen as the female equivalent to the man's traditional suit and tie. And, because pants are easier to pair with other separates, you will probably get more mileage out of a pant suit than a skirt suit. The number one rule is make sure you are comfortable in whatever you wear! The interview process is nerveracking enough without the added stress created by selecting the wrong outfit.
Once you've selected the perfect interview outfit, be sure to check on your personal grooming and don't forget to minimize such things as jewellery, perfume or cologne and by all means leave your backpack at home. Look good but don't overdo it. Just remember to wear something you feel good in and upon reflection in a mirror are confident that you've made a good first impression.
Got questions or need help in your job search? Drop by the Career Services office located in Room D1063. Career Services staff are available to assist you on an individual basis. Visit the office in D1063 to arrange an appointment with the consultant responsible for your program or call 519-452- 4294. For Fanshawe student job listings visit fanshaweonline.ca or www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices. To join the Career Services Facebook group, visit tinyurl.com/fanshawecareerservices.
Today, the question of how to dress for a job interview seems harder to answer than ever before. Office dress codes vary dramatically from company to company and industry to industry. The standard of a conservative jacket and skirt for women has given way to a multitude of fashion ensembles. Many companies offer a business casual dress code while some maintain a traditional business code and expect those interviewing for jobs to at least be well dressed.
Rather than leaving it to chance, the first thing you should do is research and find out what the appropriate dress code is for that company. Showing that you know something about the office culture is a signal to the interviewer that you take the job opportunity, the company and yourself seriously. So raise the bar on your interview attire to be at least one notch higher than what employees in the company would wear on a daily basis.
Most human resources and career professionals say that if you are at all unsure of what to wear to a job interview that you should err on the conservative side and wear a suit. This applies to both the gentlemen and the ladies. For the casual interview, guys can leave off the jacket, but make sure you wear dress pants and a good shirt which may be paired with a sweater. Ladies, wear a nice knit top with the suit pants or skirt; for anything dressier, throw on the jacket. Although pants used to be considered more casual by the business world, today a pant suit is seen as the female equivalent to the man's traditional suit and tie. And, because pants are easier to pair with other separates, you will probably get more mileage out of a pant suit than a skirt suit. The number one rule is make sure you are comfortable in whatever you wear! The interview process is nerveracking enough without the added stress created by selecting the wrong outfit.
Once you've selected the perfect interview outfit, be sure to check on your personal grooming and don't forget to minimize such things as jewellery, perfume or cologne and by all means leave your backpack at home. Look good but don't overdo it. Just remember to wear something you feel good in and upon reflection in a mirror are confident that you've made a good first impression.
Got questions or need help in your job search? Drop by the Career Services office located in Room D1063. Career Services staff are available to assist you on an individual basis. Visit the office in D1063 to arrange an appointment with the consultant responsible for your program or call 519-452- 4294. For Fanshawe student job listings visit fanshaweonline.ca or www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices. To join the Career Services Facebook group, visit tinyurl.com/fanshawecareerservices.