What Not To Wear On An Interview

June 8, 2011|Job interview| No comments yet

Are you trying to decide what to wear for an important job interview? Your appearance will create a first impression on the hiring manager so you need to dress appropriately for the interview. Every company has a dress code and three-piece suits are not what every company wants. Here’s a common sense list of what companies generally agree on and don’t want to see you wearing during an interview.

Sneakers

Leave the sneakers at home! Sneakers don’t make a good impression if you’re in business attire for an interview. Businesses want employees to wear shoes to protect their feet and to complement their business attire.

Excessive Make-Up

Unless you’re interviewing for a nightclub, excessive make-up does not give a good first impression. While some make-up or no make-up is usually desired, don’t wear tons of eye shadow and bright red lipstick. Try to look more natural and pleasing.

Cologne and Perfume

Although it’s nice to smell clean and fresh, your choice of cologne or perfume may be offensive to others. Today, most people don’t wear these items due to allergies of co-workers and offensive scents. It’s best to shower just before the interview and let you’re soap and shampoo scents speak for themselves.

Tight Clothing

The interview is stressful and most people sweat a bit. Wear loose-fitting clothing that allows you to be cool and comfortable. In a business environment, tight clothing is not comfortable and usually not acceptable.

Low Cut Blouses or Shirts

The interview is not the place to show your cleavage or hair on your chest. No one is interested in your physical attributes as the hiring manager is trying to decide what your business qualifications are. By wearing this type of attire, you could be sending the wrong message to the hiring manager.

Excessive Jewelry

In an interview, you want to look more natural than anything else. Wearing fourteen bracelets, three pairs of earrings, eight rings, and five necklaces does not look natural. All this jewelry brings immediate attention to the jewelry and not to you or your qualifications. Cheap jewelry will especially stand out. Simplify your need to wear excessive jewelry to the interview.

Nose Piercings and Such

While many people do have their nose, lips, or tongue pierced, it’s best to leave this type of jewelry at home. Some people find these piercings to be offensive and if the hiring manager is one of those people, chances are you won’t get a second look.

Gaudy Religious Items

Everyone is entitled to choose and believe in their own religion. The key here is to keep your religious beliefs and job separate. Wearing a small religious necklace or earrings is totally acceptable during an interview, however, big gaudy religious items and several of them can be offensive. Businesses do not want to hire people that they think may try to persuade other employees to believe in the same religion that they do. This could be the impression you give if you wear excessive or gaudy religious items.