How Not to Dress for a Job Interview

When it is time to attend a job interview, one of the most important decisions to make regarding the meeting is what you are going to wear. While it may seem trivial, your first impression in a job interview is very important meaning it is very important that you take the time to look your best. You must be willing to really focus on what you are wearing to your interview as it can go a long way in impressing your potential employer and getting the interview process off to the right start. While your appearance alone won’t get you most jobs, the wrong look or wrong decisions can ultimately cost you a position. Here are three of the most important things not to do when dressing for a job interview.

Wearing Clothes that Don’t Fit

Whether your clothes are too big or too small, if your clothes don’t fit then you shouldn’t be wearing them to an interview. What is even more important than buying a new expensive outfit is making sure that you just have an outfit that fits properly. A tailor can be your best friend before a job interview. If your clothes are too big it makes you seem sloppy. If your clothes are too small, you don’t look professional or ready for the job place. Your outfit needs to be professional and fit well, and always remember to air on the side of professionalism with an interview. It is best to be over dressed for this initial meeting than under dressed.

Wearing Too Many Accessories

Coco Chanel once said that you should always look in the mirror and remove one accessory before leaving the house. This is a great rule of thumb to remember when going into a job interview. Too many accessories can seem gaudy or unprofessional, even if you think they are fashion forward. Tone down the accessories, classic and understated is always the best way to go when it comes to dressing for a job interview. If you are a woman try to keep your accessories as minimal and classic as possible. Opt for small earrings instead of large dangling ones and don’t try to wear lots of bangles that make noise or large, statement necklaces. All of these things can be distracting and seem unprofessional.

Smelling Like Cigarette Smoke

If you are a smoker then one of the most important things you can do when getting ready for a job interview is to make sure that your clothes don’t smell like smoke. Wash and dry your outfit, shower and get ready for your interview and then don’t have a cigarette until the job interview over. This is important for a few reasons. First, the smell of cigarette smoke is very off putting to some people. The wrong person could immediately dismiss you because of the smell of your clothes. The other thing to remember is that there are some companies that don’t want to hire smokers because of the extra health insurance costs or because of their core values, so it could be a deal breaker from the moment that you walk in the door.

Take these three extra precautions to heart before you go to any job interview and they can help you make sure that you are dressing in a professional manner that will get you noticed for all of the right reasons.