subject: Choosing The Right Shoes To Wear [print this page] The best way you present yourself on the day of your interview may speak volumes to your potential employer. With telecommuting gaining popularity, and many offices having a more laid-back attitude about work attire, it is easy for employees to forget that a job interview is still a somewhat formal affair.
A pair of Converse chucks might show your artsy side, and a pair of trainers may be the most comfortable choice, but a job interview is not hanging out with pals. To make your best first impression, do not wear sneakers to an interview for an office job.
It is fairly obvious that flip-flops and sandal are not an appropriate choice for a job interview, but for many office jobs, even dressier and heeled sandals should be avoided. While many offices do not have a policy against open toe shoes, some do.
It is best to play it safe and find out the dress codes after you land the job, rather than to risk it on the interview. Though embellishments on footwear can be fun and fashion forward, there is a time when it is inappropriate to be flashy, and that time in during a job interview.
In fact, even after you have landed the job, it is more professional and appropriate to save the metallic, crystal, and stud shoe accessories for after-work hours. In addition to the fact that they are difficult to walk in, shoes with extremely high heels can actually call too much attention to your footwear.
You do not want to miss the interview because you sprained your ankle. You also do not want to be making a big scene when you walk into the room because of the noise of your heels hitting the floor every time you take a step.
The emphasis should be on you and your skills, and not on your footwear. While many people tend to obsess over their shoes, for many, they are merely a means of covering and protecting the feet.
Therefore, not a lot of attention is given to how they look. But to make a great first impression, you should pay attention to the details.
Your footwear should be shined or buffed, scuff and dirt-free, and should not have any visible strains, rips or tears. While new shoes should remove all of those concerns, you need to be careful that they are comfortable and easy to walk in before the actual interview day.
The last thing you need is to add foot pain to your list of worries on interview day. The appropriate footwear for office job interviews will be dress shoes.
These include ballet flats or heels of around 3 inches or less. They should have closed toes, be clean, sharp-looking, and should complement your outfit, but will not overpower it.
The ideal pair of shoes will be free of metallic finishes, overdone embellishments, and excessively high heels. Having said all of that, it seems like you have few choices, but that is really not the case.
Let the company you are applying at, and the position you are applying for dictate how creative your footwear choices can be. For example, if you are going for a position at a fashion magazine, you will definitely want your personality and sense of style to come through.
Choose classic but stylish footwear with a subtle or chic print, or a large buckle. While you do not want to risk going over the top, you definitely do not want to seem boring or staid.
On the other hand, if it is a banking or investment job you are after, it is definitely best to stay on the conservative side of footwear. You can't go wrong with a basic pump in a color that complements your suit.
A bit of classic hardware, like a simple buckle will appear chic and stylish, without crossing the line into trendy. When in doubt, ask a trustworthy friend if your footwear is appropriate for an office setting.
