subject: Smart, Conservative And Moderate Are The Key Words For Dressing To Impress At A Job Interview [print this page] It may be unfair and seem to have little to do with the "real" world in which people live, but the dress codes for interviews are very conservative, for both men and women.
This is particularly so for anyone seeking a high profile PA or Executive Assistant's role in a place like London, especially at times when the competition is fierce.
However, there is a logic to dress rules. People form an impression of a new acquaintance in literally the first few seconds of meeting and, of course, if the person will be in a high-profile position where they will have to meet clients and customers they are then representing the company they work for. Therefore, an interviewer will want to see that a candidate knows how to look professional and has taken the trouble to present themselves as well as possible.
Even if the position is in a company at the cutting edge of the fashion industry it may still be wiser to dress conservatively unless an interviewee has been specifically told otherwise. Perhaps it would help to see work clothing as a uniform rather than a way to express one's personality or individuality, and to see dressing for an interview as demonstrating that a candidate understands how to fit in with business culture, especially if the company operates globally as some cultures place fare more emphasis on correct dress and presentation than others.
It is useful to actually visit the company a few days before the interview, introduce yourself at reception and explain that your are preparing for an interview so have come to find out about the dress code. It will also give you an answer if you are asked at interview what research you did to prepare and will be more impressive than saying you have looked at the company website - even though you should do that as well.
For men the advice is to always wear a well-cut suit, preferably in a dark, solid colour, like navy or dark grey. If a visit to the company has shown that men usually wear white or light-coloured shirts and that ties are conservative then do the same.
For women, the advice is much the same, a well-cut suit, preferably in a muted colour with a well-ironed, fitted shirt or top and again no screaming bright colours. There is some argument as to whether women should always wear a skirt suit rather than trousers but investigation beforehand ought to provide an answer to this. Skirts, however, should be no shorter than just on the knee, not too tight and hosiery should be in a neutral colour.
Jewellery is another fraught issue where the rule is the less the better. Avoid wearing dangly earrings, multiple rings, noisy armfuls of bracelets or multiple necklaces. It goes without saying that shoes should be polished and again understated, no skyscraper heels and bags should be neat and small but it is acceptable to also use a document case for papers, notes and documents. Hair too should be clean, neat and well-brushed, and with no outrageous colours or extreme styles.
The interview is a situation where there is rarely a place for the extremes of fashion or casual clothes so multiple piercings, bright scarlet spiky hair, ultra short mini skirts and ruipped jeans will do a candidate no favours at all.
