Dress for success

Appearance Matters

A good CV will get you an interview, but it will take a lot more than your CV to get the job. It is vital that your image matches your aspirations. You have to think about yourself as if you are a brand. Employers want to see how well you have prepared and want to analyse your core values through your appearance, behavior and communication skills.

According to Psychologists, only 7% of the impression you make at your interview will be based on what you actually say. The rest will depend on how you say it and whether you are convincing or not. Dress in the best way that matches your job aspirations so employers can visually picture you in the role.

Never dress down to an interview, you would have made the effort to apply for a job, so you would be expected to make the effort with your appearance too. Candidates have to show passion and intelligence in an interview, if you turn up looking scruffy to an interview – it won’t help.

Some companies have dress down policies on Fridays. According to the Vodafone Working Nation survey, only 25% of companies incorporate this practice into their businesses. If you already work or will be working for a company that has a dress down policy on a Friday, you might just want to be less formal as opposed to your normal raggy jeans or sleeveless T shirt.

Girls

  • Make up: According to the Hammermesh – Biddle project, women who wear subtle make up earn 23% more than women who do not. Make up highlights the eyes and mouth – be weary to avoid the rock chick look!
  • Cover up: According to the Azziz Corporation, 88% of people feel that it is unacceptable to display a bare midriff in the workplace, making it less acceptable than visible tattoos (77%), body piercing (69%) and low cut tops (64%)
  • Boots & Suits: Women have so many more choices and styles of dressing, hence donning formal suits are quickly dashed and so come over less powerful than their male colleagues.

Guys

  • Beard: Facial hair has become fashionable. One in three bosses view stubble as acceptable in business according to Azziz Corporation. If you are going to keep the beard or stubble, you will have to ensure you spend more time grooming it.
  • Dad’s Clothes: Ensure you wear clothing that fits properly and avoid baggy clothing as it’ll look like it’s been handed down.
  • The Rest: Don’t think that you can get away with smelling odorous i.e. foul breath, cigarettes, overly strong cologne and B.O. Do not wear stained clothing, and keep your finger nails cut.