What Should You Wear to a Job Interview? Should You Hide Your Hair?
By Aysha Hussain
May 22, 2007
First impressions count. Studies show that many interviewers make up their minds about you after the first 10 seconds. How you dress is critical to that first impression.
We surveyed corporate-recruiting experts from The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity®, and they all had the same views. Don't wear anything too distracting. Don't dress too casually or wear flashy clothes. And, most important, be neat and clean. Wearing ill-fitting or unpressed clothes sends the message that you are slovenly and don't pay attention to detail--not what most employers want.
Professional presence is extremely important at all times, advises Kaplan Mobray, U.S. diversity recruiting leader at Deloitte & Touche USA, No. 19 on The 2007 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list.
"What you wear and the way you're adorned may connote the quality [and] the output of your work," says Mobray. "Your personal brand is conveyed in what you wear."
What other advice did our other experts offer on what to wear to a job interview?
The Suit
When it comes to how people should dress for a job interview, Mobray recommends both men and women dress for success by applying what he calls the "3-S" rule, or "Suit, Subtle and Sell." In other words, always wear a suit that's subtle and be sure to sell yourself.
Tara Sherman, director of human resources at Hyatt Hotel Corp., one of DiversityInc's 25 Noteworthy Companies for 2007, says even if the job you're vying for is business casual, candidates should project a professional image by wearing a suit.
It's imperative that candidates project the best image possible image, adds Sherman's colleague Keri Zeikus, Hyatt's assistant human-resources director. It lets employers know you're serious about the position. "Image is still a big piece of how you're selling yourself," says Zeikus. "You're marketing yourself as a product."
Both Sherman and Zeikus also said erring on the safe side, whether it's basic black or a neutral-colored suit, is never a bad idea.
While Mobray advises men to stick to the basic "power suit," Toni Riccardi, former partner and chief diversity officer at PricewaterhouseCoopers, No. 12 on the 2007 Top 50, says for women it's best to stay away from overt fashion trends like suits with shorts or baby-doll dresses.
"Trends are not appropriate," says Riccardi. "In the end, nothing you wear should be more memorable than what you say."
But what if your cultural/religious beliefs don't support the idea of the basic black suit? If you're someone who is accustomed to wearing your native cultural dress instead of the standard business suit, Riccardi says you should not feel discouraged from being yourself.
"If it's important to their religious beliefs and they are going to wear it, I think they should wear it to the interview so that the employer knows what they're getting into," she adds.
Accessories
The rule for accessories including jewelry, scarves and shoes is the same as colors--less is more.
"People should definitely take out the nose, tongue and multiple earrings for interviews," says Riccardi, who says it's best to avoid sandals and flip-flops.
Even though employers discourage loud style and designs, candidates should not completely restrict themselves, notes Sherman.
Mobray says if men are going to wear a flashy red tie, for example, it's essential to make a connection with your interviewer in a memorable way.
"If there's a piece of jewelry, make a conversation around that, or if you're going to be flashy, tie the flashiness that allows a greater level of recall," says Mobray. "Bring it up."
Hair and Makeup
All of our experts agreed that hair should always be tasteful and well-groomed, combed and not too wild in color. Women are advised to go light with makeup. But what about people who wear ethnic and unconventional hairstyles, including dreadlocks or Mohawks?
When it comes to ethnic or alternative hairstyles, Mobray believes people should not feel obligated to change their look so drastically before the interview process. However, he says, if the job applicant feels her or his personal hairstyle could potentially conflict with the company culture, anticipate some resistance. Instead, he advises applicants to pursue employment opportunities with a company that embraces similar cultural beliefs.
"I would advise someone who wears dreadlocks as a sign of their cultural beliefs to not jump to compromise their beliefs by cutting their hair but to first assess how their cultural beliefs and/or adornment fit with the culture of the organization," says Mobray. "Cutting one's hair to get a job is a personal choice, and for some, a temporary method to gain access and avoid disadvantage."
For those who choose to cover their hair for religious reasons, Riccardi feels candidates should not hide or change who they are and what they believe in. She says it's a good idea to know the culture of the organization and whether or not they support multicultural practices before accepting the interview.
"If you're going to feel resentful, that's not the statement for you to make," she adds.
Personal Flair
Riccardi also says personal flair is fine as long as it's within reason.
"Pick a color that you look good in," she says. "Don't pick something that's going to wash you out. Generally, prints should be smaller rather than larger. If you can feel comfortable and it flatters you, wear it."
Think Ahead
If you're unsure of the company's corporate culture, it's OK to just ask.
"Go a day before and sit in the lobby," says Mobray. "Look at how people are coming into the building. It will give you a direct sense of the business attire at that company."
Zeikus advocates that interviewees should inquire about the dress code by getting in touch with the human-resources department before the day of the interview. She says this suggests the potential candidate is serious about making a good impression.
Money Matters
A common misconception among recent college graduates is that your interview attire should cost thousands of dollars. This is not the case. Regardless of what position you're interviewing for, finding the perfect outfit shouldn't be hard because, as Zeikus has experienced, there are plenty of outlet malls and mass-market department stores to choose from that don't require spending a lot of money, she says.
Mobray agrees that it shouldn't matter how much money you have; anyone can look professional.
"You want to take yourself seriously regardless," adds Mobray. "[Whether] you're applying for an entry-level position, it doesn't matter."
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