It’s one of those scenarios that can leave us in a panicking, sweaty mess. Surrounded by piles of clothes that you thought would make the right impression but failed you at the last moment. Let’s face it, job interviews are never nice. The awkward handshakes, the fear of unknown questions designed to rattle you and of course, the outfit, are all things to consider before you even begin to contemplate getting to the office. If you’ve got an interview coming up or you’re looking for a little inspiration for the future, we’ve put together a no-fail guide to dressing to impress. Gone are the days of ill fitting suits that are only brought out for funerals and interviews. You need to look sharp and our experts have found foolproof outfit tips to help make that perfect first impression, along with some handy tips to keep in mind before you enter the lion's den.
Option 1: Suited and Booted
You know that old saying ‘you can’t go wrong with a suit’? Well, you can. Relying on the same suit you wore 5 years ago, or picking up a new one before trying it on can lead to a disaster. A good suit should fit well, look great and ensure that you give off a strong first impression. If you decide to wear a suit for your interview there’s a few options for you to consider. First of all, colour.
Studies have shown that navy blue is the strongest colour to go for in an interview as it inspires confidence in the wearer. A solid navy suit looks great with a crisp white shirt and a statement tie in either red, orange or a light grey. Stick for a single breasted design and pair with brown shoes for a contemporary take on interview dressing
If you’re not feeling navy, how about another interview favourite? Grey is a great choice for a formal interview and surprisingly, you have a wide range of shades to choose from. Make sure you get the perfect fit by checking that the top button of the jacket is aligned with your navel, the sleeves should also finish where the base of your thumb meets your wrist. If you need alterations, do it! The cost of going to a tailor is less than having to run out and purchase a new suit the night before, or the cost of looking like an idiot on the day itself.
If you do fancy making a lasting impression, how about branching out with a statement suit? Obviously there is a fine line between making a statement and leaving the interviewers trying not to laugh, so be careful in your choice of colour. Stick with seasonal shades such as rich burgundy or teal for the autumn and tone down your choice of tie to ensure that the attention is firmly on your suit.
Option 2: Separate Ways
If you’re not comfortable wearing a full suit to an interview, or the situation is a little more informal, there’s plenty of other options to choose from the still look the part. Combining stylish separates will still give the impression of ‘making an effort’ however the added flair that you can put into your outfit will give you a more creative edge.
If you do decide to ditch the suit, don’t go too far the other way and turn up in a t-shirt and jeans. The best way to pull off the no-suit look is to stick with at least 2 elements that you would have worn if it was formalwear. A shirt and blazer combined with a pair of more relaxed chinos is a great choice, as is combining a light jumper with shirt and trousers. In terms of colour, try and stick to complimentary tones. Neutral trousers and shirt can be enhanced with a patterned blazer or you could make a statement in patterned trousers.
It is fine to ditch the tie if you’re not going for a suited and booted look. If you do decide to do this, ensure that your shirt is perfectly ironed. If the interview is fairly formal, ensure that the shirt is fully buttoned up, if it is more of a casual meeting, you can get away with having the top button undone.
Grooming and finishing touches
It goes without saying that before you even put on your interview outfit, you need to make sure that you’ve covered the bases. A shower, deodorant and obviously a thorough teeth brushing is a must. If you’re usually clean shaven, ensure that you have a shave on the morning to get rid of any stubble. If you do prefer to have facial hair, keep ‘designer stubble’ neat and tidy. With beards, you need to make a decision to whether you’re going to brave the shave and take it off, or make the effort to condition and trim. If a potential employer is faced with a beard that looks like it is playing host to all of last night’s leftovers, it’s going to detract from whatever it is you’re saying. Beards are now commonplace, so ensuring that it’s neat and tidy should see you through!
Fragrance is a bit of a contentious issue, on one hand you have people saying not to bother with a scent when in an interview scenario, on the other you have those that say a good scent will make a lasting impression. In our opinion, we think a subtle spritz is fine. You don’t want to overpower the interviewer, or leave a lingering smell in the interview room, so spritz once after getting out of the shower and let a subtle scent do the work.
We don’t really have to worry about what accessories to wear to an interview, however your finishing touches should be considered before you step out of the door. A watch is a fairly standard addition, which will also ensure that you don’t get caught checking your phone for the time in the waiting room. If you’re wearing a tie, a simple tie clip will show professionalism and style. Try and avoid any urge you have to go for a novelty item, those Batman cufflinks may seem lucky, but probably won’t give off the best impression in the boardroom.
A pocket square that emphasises a colour in your tie or shirt can help add a little flair to your look, again, don’t go too off kilter and opt for anything garish.
Avoid wearing any jewellery, except for your wedding ring. Although this is the time to let them get to know you, they may not be too receptive to the 5 mangy festival bands that you’ve kept on your wrist for 3 years.
Top Tips!
When it comes to interviews, putting in the time to prepare your ‘best self’ will hopefully give you that all important confidence boost. Keep your handshake firm, your eye contact strong and your phone in your pocket. For more Dandy Fellow style advice, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @dandyfellow
