Job Interview: How to Wear Attire Dress Right for Success at Your Job Interview With Men

Job Interview pre-calamities?

You just left your job interview with a bad taste in your mouth and a sinking feeling all over. Not because you did not answer your job interview questions correctly, but because you did not go with your instinct and wear that gray or dark suit (men), or gray, dark blue suit (women) that you originally planned to wear.

No. In the heat of the moment, you decided to calm down your anticipated nervousness at the interview by wearing your comfy jeans, complete with the holes (holes in jeans are still in style, right?) and the faded tee shirt that screams the message to the world, "AC DC Rocks!"

Your face dropped when you were greeted by a very distinguished gentleman wearing a tailored suit, pink tie (to show his confidence), and black, shiny alligator shoes. What? You thought this was a creative firm, so you were showing how laid back and creative you were by dressing the part!

Unbeknownst to you, because this is such a large firm that did not want to lose money by making a wrong hire, the CEO shirked his middle management (who may have been a little more forgiving) aside for this task and decided to do the interview himself!

What to do, what to do? I will answer those questions for you and more! I will be talking to both men and women (mostly women) in how to dress for success and ensure you land that job, maybe, initially by the merits of your dress alone!

Job Interview hiring decisions

It's no secret that a lot of managers, make a decision on whether to hire you, sometimes in the first few minutes of seeing you, or even shaking your hand! Have you heard of the dead fish handshake -- a clear sign of expected job rejection. A nice firm handshake with eye contact (no stares) is the way to go to top off the right outfit.

Unfortunately, managers also tend to hire those who resemble, or who may look most like them. They are looking for someone who will not only be able to do a competent job and contribute to the company's success, but they are also looking at your demeanor, your actions, how you respond to interview questions, and yes -- how you dress!

Job Interview Dress Tips -- Dress down for a creative firm?

No -- By no means should you wear jeans and a cut off tee shirt because the company has a laid back atmosphere or company culture. The reason is your over relaxing dress may give the impression that you will also be too relaxed once you are handed a project with a tight deadline! You want to come cross as someone who is serious about doing a good job once you are hired. So feel relaxed inside, but don't over dramatize just how relaxed you are!

Job Interview Sports talk?

"Hey, man, what did you think of that game Monday night? I could have sworn that he had that f___ ball. A hell of a shame that he dropped the ball right before the goal line!" You say this as you flop in the interviewee seat across from the interviewer, and fiddle at the corner of your eyes, to pick the cold from the corners, thanks to you not throughly washing your face and eyes that morning. What? Are you talking to the interviewer about a football game, when the game is the furthest thing from his mind right now. He (or she), is thinking of a full day of interviewees,ahead of him. But no worries. By your buddy buddy talk about football, including your choice of words, you just made his decision not to hire you a lot easier, so he can get to the next interviewee, who may have more meaningful conversation. For example, why he or she should hire them! And wiping that stuff out of your eyes is just gross! That's right. Go ahead and gross out the interviewer before the interview even starts. Not!

Hopefully, you will not get caught in this dilemma based on how you view the company. Remember, even if the company is lax, it is a business, and is looking for people to move the business forward. Right now, in addition to your resume, he has only your personal look, and mannerisms to determine if you are worth a second interview, in the step towards you being hired and becoming a part of the company.

Remember, you are being interviewed for your job skills and fitability right now--- the casual talk can come later after you are hired and not even then, if you give the impression you are more about the sociability of your job instead of getting your job done. Like they say, just as you can be hired, you can just as easily and quickly be fired!

That being said, some companies are not as concerned so much about your technical knowlege as your "likeability." The reason being, they can train someone about the technicalities of the job, but it's difficult to train someone to be liked! So try to keep a happy medium with your technical knowledge as well as your likability!

Job Interviews - Are there definite "No, No's"?

Yes, the first picture shown is inappropriate for a job interview, unless you are interviewing for a particular type job the requires showing off your assets. However, even on those jobs, I would recommend having a business like appearance.

Your goal is to be viewed as the right person for the job, instead of giving the interviewer(s) all kinds of reasons not to hire you.

Job Interviews: Are there definite "Yes-Yeses"?

Even though your dress is very important, your personal demeanor is even more important. So present a friendly smile as the picture shows on the right. Also, when the interviewer is talking, you should be attentive to what he or she is saying also as shown in the picture to the right. Eye contact is important. Just don't stare, whatever you do!

Job Interview motto -- "You have only one chance to make a good first impression."

So very true! And your first impression starts from the time you walk into the building, meet the receptionist and finally the interviewer(s). Don't discount the opinions of other people you talk to or see you before you are actually interviewed, Their opinion of you may be even more important than that of the interviewer!

What about telephone job interviews?

You are home -- right? So no one from the company interviewing you is seeing you -- so maybe you can ease up on your dress some. My answer is maybe. To get myself in an interview mode, I put on my regular work outfits which help me to feel professional, even if I am at home. Now, this is up to you. Maybe you are one of those people who can do well on telephone interviews, regardless of how you are dressed. If you are, then more power to you!

Dress right for your job interview

If you did not dress right for your interview the first time, the good news is that all may not be lost! Many times, depending on the type of job and the level, i.e., trainee, entry level, etc., there may be additional interviews, on top of the one you just had. So you may have a second chance!

Job Interview Result -- What or Who is the prize here?

Additionally try using reverse psychology to build your confidence, regardless of how you are dressed. Afterall, you are the prize they are wishing to win to work for their company, right?

So act and dress accordingly. Remember, if you botched this interview and you do not get this job, the up side is you have probably learned from this experience and will do even better on your next interview. And who knows? When you least expect it, you may get a phone call and hear those magic words,"

"You got the job! When can you start?"