Dress to Impress – What to Wear to an Interview 101

What to Wear to an Interview

How you dress for an interview says a lot about you. Because your image is your personal brand, you want to stand out and be memorable for the right reasons. Since the first impression determines how the hiring manager emotionally reacts to you, it can be the deciding factor between whether you’re offered a job or someone else is. As a result, you need to know how to dress appropriately. Follow these guidelines to determine what to wear for your next interview.

Dress for the Job You Want

Whether you wear a suit or go casual depends on the position you’re interviewing for. If going for an office position or meeting with a large corporation, wear a skirt or suit. If aiming for a manufacturing or technical role, go casual. Although both industries are professional, the nature of the job determines how you dress.

Wear Casual Attire

When interviewing for a manufacturing or technical position, go for a smart-casual look. Women may choose a blouse, jeans and nice dress shoes. Men may wear their best shirt, dark jeans and a nicely cut jacket. Be sure there are no spots, stains or loose threads on your clothes before leaving for your interview. Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight or short, sleeveless, low-cut, patterned, brightly colored, expose too much skin or display bold slogans or other statements. Such attire is distracting and makes you look unprofessional. If you’re still unsure of what to wear, ask the hiring manager about the dress code. They’ll appreciate your attention to detail and desire to blend with company culture.

However, Avoid Being Too Casual

Make sure you don’t take casual attire to the extreme. Place yourself above the norm by wearing your best version of what others in the workplace have on to show you value the interview. Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes and imagine their first impression of what you’re wearing. If you show up in a wrinkled T-shirt featuring a rock band, paint-stained jeans and worn sneakers, the manager won’t be impressed. However, if you wear a clean, collared shirt, khakis and dress shoes, the manager will have a more positive impression of you. You’ll make a favorable impression and quickly earn points for professionalism and conduct.

Focus on the Rest of Your Appearance

Pay attention to the rest of your appearance to enhance your overall image. Make sure your hair is clean, groomed and styled conservatively. If you have long hair, tie it back to avoid projecting potential safety concerns on the job. Remove facial piercings, rings, bracelets and necklaces, as they pose risks in a factory. Wear buffed shoes. Clean your fingernails. Avoid wearing perfume, aftershave, hats and gloves during your interview.

Set up Your Next Interview

At Barracuda Staffing, we place temporary and permanent skilled, nonskilled, professional and contract workers in the industrial, light industrial, engineering, construction and commercial fields. Get in touch with our top Tulsa recruiters today!

 

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