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Dress For Success - Preparing For Interview
Kami
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Hey guys, I'm going to my first 'professional' job interview tomorrow. I've done job interviews before, but nothing quite like this. The complex is huge, the company is Fortune 50, and they're interested in me. Fantastic! Well, yes, but I'm somewhat nervous about what to wear.
I've read at various sources that first impressions are made within the first 45 seconds of meeting someone, including articulation, handshake/greeting, and choice of clothing. While I'm not nervous in the least about the interview itself, I'm wanting to blow them away, and dressing properly will do nothing but aid in my endeavor.
First, a little about my skin complexion, hairstyle, and physique. I'm 5'11'', very light skinned (I sunburn very easily), and I have fairly lengthy hair, but it's well-maintained (think Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible II). I'm currently growing facial hair, as it actually makes me look older, more mature, and more professional. I already have a beard/facial hair trimmer, so it's trimmed, groomed, and ready to rock for tomorrow.
Now, because of my skin complexion, I'm thinking I should wear my creme-colored suit, with a soft green dress-shirt, and silk black tie. I also own two black suits, but I'm worried that my fair skin will completely wash out if contrasted with stark, black attire.
My belt and shoes are definitely matching, both black leather. Whatever I wear, I'm confident I'll do well, I'm just hoping that if I put a little more emphasis on dressing stellar, I'll have that much more of an edge.
Any advice is very appreciated.
tl:dr - I'm pale, average height, and am wondering if I should wear more traditional colors (black suit, etc), or more colored attire (creme suit, light pastel shirt).
I've read at various sources that first impressions are made within the first 45 seconds of meeting someone, including articulation, handshake/greeting, and choice of clothing. While I'm not nervous in the least about the interview itself, I'm wanting to blow them away, and dressing properly will do nothing but aid in my endeavor.
First, a little about my skin complexion, hairstyle, and physique. I'm 5'11'', very light skinned (I sunburn very easily), and I have fairly lengthy hair, but it's well-maintained (think Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible II). I'm currently growing facial hair, as it actually makes me look older, more mature, and more professional. I already have a beard/facial hair trimmer, so it's trimmed, groomed, and ready to rock for tomorrow.
Now, because of my skin complexion, I'm thinking I should wear my creme-colored suit, with a soft green dress-shirt, and silk black tie. I also own two black suits, but I'm worried that my fair skin will completely wash out if contrasted with stark, black attire.
My belt and shoes are definitely matching, both black leather. Whatever I wear, I'm confident I'll do well, I'm just hoping that if I put a little more emphasis on dressing stellar, I'll have that much more of an edge.
Any advice is very appreciated.
tl:dr - I'm pale, average height, and am wondering if I should wear more traditional colors (black suit, etc), or more colored attire (creme suit, light pastel shirt).
Kami on
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Posts
I'd say go with the black pants but leave the jacket at home unless it's freezing cold, compliment with a pale colour and a strong tie that matches.
But really unless you look like a twat it wont matter what you wear, how you treat others and your mannerisms is always the best way to go about it. Pro-tip: if possible chat with the people around you, (don't chase them if they are busy but if they are waiting around have a chat) but often one of the people I've talked to ended up in the interview room also.
Satans..... hints.....
And go with the dark suit. Preferably a charcoal grey as it makes you look less like a mafia goon. But definitely not the cream coloured suit, totally unprofessional. I'm very fair complexion as well and I always look better and smarter in a dark suit.
In terms of general mannerisms, don't cross your arms or clasp your hands as it makes you look defensive and closed off. Lean forward when talking to them rather than leaning back or crossing your legs as it makes you look more interested. Pause briefly to think out an response before answering any questions and speak calmly and clearly.
Many thanks, but honestly, going clean shaven would probably look pretty atrocious, simply because I haven't been completely clean-shaven in quite some time. I've used the beard trimmer's lowest setting, and I'd hate to take a risk of getting unsightly cuts, burns, or scrapes from switching shaving styles overnight.
As for my hair, it's very well maintained, it's not ratty or greasy, and actually looks well-kempt. I honestly think that my resume, and endearing demeanor in the interview will get any thoughts of 'Oh, this kid's a hippie' out of their heads.
Go into the bathroom and shave now, I don't care what you think, electric razors give everyone the appearance that they shaved the day before.
Satans..... hints.....
Pale skin doesn't appear darker next to lighter colors. In fact, light colored suits are typically only recommended for people with dark skin. Plus they are entirely unprofessional.
If you need a rule of thumb for professional dress and look, you need not search further than the front runners of the presidential candidacy. Always dark suits. Always white shirts. And almost always a blue or red tie. It may be a tad boring, but it's shows you're serious and nobody will ever take points away for that. Tough to go wrong like that.
Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
yes
Nothing worse than electric razor that will make you look sloppy at best. Either get a razor or go for a barber shop. I've had ugly experiences that tell me this is the way to go.
- Get a haircut and shave your face. Fortune 500 companies aren't interested in pseudo hipsters; they want clean cut professionals.
- Wear a black suit with a white or blue shirt and a blue or red tie (or black if you wear a blue shirt). Nothing else will do in a situation like this.
During the interview:
- Maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s)
- Begin and end the interview with a strong handshake
- Match the body language of the interviewer(s). Don't copy him verbatim, but if he leans back in his chair, you can lean back in your chair, etc.
- Do some research on the company before the interview so you can answer the obligatory, "Why do you want to work for us/What do you know about this company?" questions.
- Smile and be positive
I'd definately go with the darker suit, if you're pale the creme color is just going to make you look even paler, but a pale/pastel shirt will still look nice and whatever that guys name was was right in his assertion to wear a strong tie, and jackets shouldn't be necessary in ...june?
Aside from that you should know the rest, firm handshake, good eyecontact. Don't worry yourself, my problem is I get the wavering voice when I'm really nervous.
Assuming it's for a job that typically requires clean presentation (not a developer :P) I'd say lose the facial hair even if you think it makes you look stupid. Beards + long hair = filthy hippies, and who wants to hire a filthy hippy?
Of course this all goes out the window if you're hiring for a position that typically gets a lot of slack in the interview. E.g. I'm a software developer and during my interview I had my lip ring in and I was wearing a wrinkly t-shirt.
grey or navy blue suit.
PokeCode: 3952 3495 1748
Wrong. Completely and utterly wrong.
I currently sit in a national directorship for a fortune 50 company, and am interviewing people fairly regularly for middle management positions. As long as a person comes in dressed for an interview, by which I mean wearing a suit, and appear to have bathed and groomed themself that day, it all comes down to the resume and interview. Well groomed longer hair and trimmed facial hair are in no way unprofessional looking. Anybody discounting somebodys experience and qualifications for a job due to their appearance (within reason) is an idiot who has no business doing anything HR related. Thats a good way to fill the company with dead wood that looks nice. This is also the opinion of just about every experienced HR professional I have ever known.
If your job is customer facing (or even potentially) there's generally some kind of magical appearance qualification that you have to meet.
While I know that can be the case in many instances, this is merely a matter of "better safe than sorry."
How many times in the hiring process have men been marked down for a neat haircut and clean shave? Likely never. The same can't be said for the other end of the spectrum. I interviewed for something as simple as a hotel night manager and was told I could have the job, but I'd have to cut my hair, which was hardly long at all. It's about presentation of the business and all that jazz.
So it's not that people think long hair or facial hair is suicide, but it's also rarely, if ever, a benefit. Tidy hair and shaved face, however, often does make most people look better, thus making it solid advice for the widest spectrum of circumstances.
Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
However true the Dark suit + White shirt rule is. It's becoming more, and more common to wear coloured shirts. If you go to a nice clothes store, they will tell you the same thing. White with Black is becoming "old fashioned" while pin-strip with coloured shirts is becoming more the regular.
EDIT: By coloured shirts I don't mean pink, purple, and bright coloured stuff. I mean dark greens, blues, and pale colours.
How you dress for an interview is definitely a part of it. I was referring however to the clean shaven and haircut suggestion. I dont think WELL MAINTAINED facial hair is any better than being clean shaven (traditionally, a gentleman was very rarely clean shaven), and the same goes for longer or even long hair that is well cared for and well groomed. I know plenty of professionals in high paying jobs with facial hair and longer or even long hair. They look just fine to me.
If the OP went in with unbrushed, unwashed hair and a 5 O'Clock shadow, that would be different.
Honestly, I've found that any place worth working, and any place that is successful dont put too much emphasis on making sure everybody working for them looks alike. Being clean and well groomed does not necessarily mean short hair and a clean shaven face. I myself have a beard and my hair isnt exactly short, and I was hired looking this way into a very nice 6 figure salary job...
The hardest part is waiting....
Go write up a thankyou letter thanking them for this opurtunity and that you hope to hear from them soon.
Then you can get back to waiting.
Satans..... hints.....
Yeah, always do some sort of follow-up. It's not only polite, it makes it seem like your that much more eager to start. Not desperate, eager.
I got a hand written thank you note once from the guy who did the interview. that was truly as pro as I've ever seen. i got the job too.
PokeCode: 3952 3495 1748
Thirded on the hand-written note.
Also, shoes make the man/woman.
Yes, it's silly, but taking care of your shoes shows you pay attention to details. If you're going for a Fortune 50, I'd recomend a pair of nice dress shoes; no Nunn Bush or Dockers. We're talking Allan Edmonds. Something with a real leather sole.
If you're going for the job so you can buy new shoes, at least make sure whatever you wear are nicely polished.