Career Corner: Dressing for interview success
The first impression you make
when 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, industry to industry. The standard of a conservative jacket and skirt for women has given way to a multitude of fashion ensembles. Many companies have a business casual dress code, while some maintain a traditional dress code and expect those interviewing for jobs to 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, instead pairing dress pants with a good shirt and possibly a sweater.
Ladies, wear a nice knit top with the suit pants or skirt; for anything dressier, throw on a jacket. Although pants used to be considered more casual by the business world, today a pantsuit 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 pantsuit than a skirt suit.
The number one rule is to make sure you are comfortable in whatever you wear! The interview process is nerve-racking 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, 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 www.fanshaweonline.ca or www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices
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, industry to industry. The standard of a conservative jacket and skirt for women has given way to a multitude of fashion ensembles. Many companies have a business casual dress code, while some maintain a traditional dress code and expect those interviewing for jobs to 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, instead pairing dress pants with a good shirt and possibly a sweater.
Ladies, wear a nice knit top with the suit pants or skirt; for anything dressier, throw on a jacket. Although pants used to be considered more casual by the business world, today a pantsuit 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 pantsuit than a skirt suit.
The number one rule is to make sure you are comfortable in whatever you wear! The interview process is nerve-racking 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, 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 www.fanshaweonline.ca or www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices
