It consumes a huge chunk of your life, so it goes without saying that most of us take interviews completely seriously. However, while many of us are keen to mull over the most common interview questions, conduct the relevant research on the company in question and so on, our outfits tend to be left until the last minute.
It could be argued that for men, the job is made much easier. After all, you can’t go wrong with a suit – and that’s the end of the matter.
For females, it’s a slightly trickier process. There are far more options, and through today, we will take a look at four outfit tips that can help set you up for success.
Choose a colour scheme
When it comes to interviews, one of the most common questions you are likely to ask yourself is ‘what colour should I choose to wear for an interview?’
Well, the answer is fairly simple – it all depends on the type of company you are going to.
If you are applying for a creative job or one that is more creative in nature, you are probably best suited to choosing a more off-beat colour. For instance, purple would be a great choice – it’s a fabulous colour, but it’s not one that you are likely to see applied to many suits. A quick look around the streets of Covent Garden would confirm this.
You should probably opt for a more conservative colour, such as black or grey, for a more conventional job. These are colours that, as a rule, tend to be applied to more traditional outfits.
Accessorise with a statement piece
Accessories are a great way to add a bit of flair to an outfit. However, it’s important to remember that you need to be careful with what you choose to wear.
First and foremost, it’s best not to go for anything too flashy. For instance, you don’t want to have a big, chunky necklace that is going to eat away at your outfit and draw attention away from your face.
Accessories are best used as a subtle way to add a bit of oomph to an outfit without going overboard. For instance, a delicate bracelet or a pair of earrings is a great accompaniment to a business outfit, as it will add a bit of charm without drawing too much attention to yourself.
Be careful when applying makeup
It’s expected that you will apply a little bit of makeup before an interview. However, it’s a good idea if you will make sure that it’s subtle and natural. For instance, you will likely apply a base coat and some eyeliner and mascara. But again, you don’t want to go overboard with this either.
The aim of makeup is to help make your outfit look more professional. But, if you put a lot of makeup on, then it could look too ‘done’, which can also have detrimental effects on your appearance.
The idea is that your makeup should be subtle and compliment your outfit rather than take away from it. So, keep that in mind when you are putting your outfit together.
Be prepared
You’ve chosen the perfect outfit, but it’s the morning of the interview and here’s a newsflash; this is too late.
Your outfit needs to be waiting for you on the hanger as soon as you leap out of bed. Your outfit might be ‘theoretically’ perfect, but if it’s covered in stains and creases, you are back to square one. Do the leg work on the evening before, or sometimes earlier.