The importance of dressing well for a job interview

The truth is that there are many reasons why a job interview can weigh a lot in people’s minds. We could define it as a situation of “everything and nothing”, as a moment in which you can be inside the company, or simply outside. Of course, many other factors than clothing come into play, but the reality is that clothing matters too, which requires special attention. But why is it so important and what tips can we follow?

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It is not so true that a suit must be used for each interview. No matter what, the reality is that there is no predetermined “interview suit”, and it is not necessary to dress in a suit every time we go to a job interview. Even if it requires the use of a suit, its incorrect and inadequate configuration can end up damaging our chances.

But as many specialists state, it is true that a good business suit is often the best option to dress up and go to a job interview. And it is that maintaining a good appearance is essential in the interview, since it can make the person in charge of it reject you or choose you from the first moment without first listening to you or asking you questions.

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While job-related skills and experience play a big role in whether or not you might get the job, during the initial hiring process the attire chosen for the job has more power than the most of us could believe. This is due to something fundamental: the first thing we notice about any person is their appearance, and more specifically, the way they dress.

In fact, as a study conducted by Oregon State University showed, in the first 10 seconds from when you greet the interviewer to when you say the first word (technically known as “the meet and greet”), that person has decided whether or not you are the right one for the job. Thus, those who dress well are more likely to be hired than those who are seen as putting in less effort.

Appearance matters, and besides, it matters enormously. Careful attention to detail and choice of clothing is essential for virtually any interview. For example, wearing sloppy clothing is an easy way for many interviewers to narrow down their pool of applicants. It is very easy to reject a person for a certain job simply because of their clothing. And it has nothing to do with discrimination, but with the visual image and the sensations it conveys.

As is well known, people’s decision-making is profoundly influenced by visual stimuli, and the first glance an interviewer takes of you determines a lot about what they may think. In particular, dressing well can help show your worth by demonstrating basic competence and attention to detail.

In fact, the most common mistake among candidates is not paying attention to detail. Tight or too tight clothing, coupled with casual outfits, make you look sloppy or lazy. It doesn’t matter if you say the right things, if you’re not dressed well, you won’t get the job if the interviewer compares you to many other capable people who are better dressed.

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Some useful tips that will be of great help to you

Wear a conservative, solid-color suit, or a long-sleeved shirt with an appropriate tie. This obviously means that you should avoid loud ties, such as very colorful or cartoon ties. Just try to dress professionally and simply, without excess.

Dress shoes must be clean and polished. Also, it is more appropriate to try to wear dark socks, since every time you sit down, the pants rise up. If you wear white socks, it will distract the interviewee from the whole ensemble, since they will tend to look very bright.

Remember to wear a belt, as you may not want your pants falling down in the middle of the interview. Avoid wrinkled shirts, not only are they unprofessional, but they will show the interviewer that you didn’t take enough time to put in the effort to look your best.

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If you have piercings you should avoid them in the interview. And if you have tattoos it is also appropriate to cover them. The hairstyle must be equally clean and professional, avoiding excesses with gel or hair gel. The same goes for aftershave or cologne: avoid excesses.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And in the case of job interviews and the clothes we choose for it, it could well serve as an example.

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