Tips for turning interview dress code into your professional unique look
What do we all do when meeting someone for the first time?
We form an opinion of them based on their appearance.
This unavoidable trait of humanity even applies to people we meet in interviews.
Your dress code signals something to the interviewer that your resume doesn’t. It reflects your level of pride in yourself and the kind of person you are. Some experts argue based on your appearance; the interviewer may already decide on whether you are a suitable candidate.
However, not all interviews are the same. Interview attire depends on the type of job, the company and the industry. For example, CIBC First Caribbean International would expect formal attire. Start-up enterprises and tourism organisations such as The Crane Resort, may allow a more casual style.
Interview attire, regardless, requires a unique professional look, that showcases individuality yet competence.
What is the appropriate dress code to wear in an interview?
Dress Code for Men
If you know your interview is coming up, schedule a haircut. If you have long hair, for religious or cultural reasons, it should be neatly arranged away from your face. Shave or neatly trim your facial hair. Piercings and jewellery should be left at home.
Creating that professional, business look implies a suit well-fitted, clean and solid colour such as black. You can forgo the black drab and use a blazer in navy blue or charcoal grey. Match your inner shirt with your jacket or blazer. Use discretion with colours that are conservative and not flashy.
The tie should be properly around your neck, with the tip just reaching on the upper edge of your belt. Avoid bizarre designs or novelty holiday ties.
Belts should always be worn with interview outfits. It adds an element of completion to your professional look. Wear a crisp, leather belt in black or brown with a simple buckle. The colour of your belt always matches the colour of your shoes.
Your trousers should also be matching with your shirt and jacket or blazer. Corporate dress codes entail well-fitted dress pants. The hem rests an inch over your shoes.
Interview dress shoes need to be clean and polished. Don’t assume the interviewer won’t notice them. You can wear corporate coloured socks or with conservative patterns, that match your shoes and trousers.
Business Casual Job Interview Attire for Men
At a casual dress code interview, you still need to look presentable. You can wear a cotton shirt with your blazer, minus the tie. You can choose long-sleeved plaid or buttoned-down shirts and sweaters.
Match with chinos, khakis, or jeans. Dress for success by selecting dark denim over stonewashed or ripped jeans for your casual attire.
Belts and shoes must also be clean and presentable. Piercings and tattoos should be covered, and jewellery limited to a dress watch to top off your professional, unique look.
what is the dress code for a woman should wear to an interview?
Dress Code for Women
There are more choices for ladies to consider regarding interview outfits.
You can choose a variety of hairstyles from ponytails, buns, wavy curls or braids, whichever works best with the length and texture of your hair. The critical thing is that your hair looks brushed, neat and polished. Once you are not sporting any flashy highlights or bold hues and your face is clearly visible, you have a professional looking hairstyle.
For females, you have the option of wearing a pantsuit or a pencil skirt for formal job interviews in black, navy blue or grey. Pants should be form-fitting but not too tight. Skirt lengths should reach by or just before your knees. Your legs will be showing, so if you opt for pantyhose, choose one that is neutral coloured.
You can experiment with pastel blouse colours like baby blues, greens or beige as well as different fabrics and patterns. Bold or bizarre prints should be avoided. Lastly, pay careful attention that your neckline isn’t too plunging. Your inner blouse should be tucked into your pants or skirt.
Wearing a Professional Dress
Wearing a dress to an interview can be an appropriate alternative to a pantsuit or skirt. Stay conservative and choose from the usual black, navy blues, greys to maintain that professional look.
Barbados is a tropical country, but don’t highlight that in your interview dress. The style of dress is very specific. It is not a casual beach dress or overly formal evening gown. You want a conservative style that is tailored to your body without cleavage, at the knees. You can consider covering your bare arms with a jacket or blazer to kick your professional look up a notch.
Select a closed or peep toe shoe. Heels should be around three inches or less or you can choose flats. Your shoes must keep your professional look together – clean, sharp and complementing your interview outfit. Avoid metallic or shimmering finishes, stilettoes, sneakers or open toe shoes.
Casual Dress for Women
For your casual interviews, go ahead! Add a splash of creativity once your dress for success is presentable. Match your blouse with a pair of dress pants, slacks or a pencil skirt. If the company allows jeans, make it slim, dark denim with no accessories or rips. Your casual interview outfit can be dark jeans with a blazer, blouse and heels. You can switch the heels with pumps or flats.
As the interviewer will be interfacing with you, your face requires a natural yet sophisticated look. Make-up must not overpower your features but instead convey balance and simplicity to not distract the interviewer. The interview may not be the best time to experiment, you will want to keep it as soft and natural as possible.
For that professional, natural look, match your make-up with your skin tone. Skip the false eye lashes altogether. It will look very overdone and make eye contact challenging. Moreover, if your eye lashes come loose during the interview, it will be a very embarrassing episode to recover from.
Since eye contact is so important, you can certainly use eye pencil to give an outline but skip the bold eye shadows entirely. Choose nude or natural colours that blend naturally with your skin tone.
With interview outfits, less jewellery is more. A wristwatch and one pair of stud or small hooped earrings will be enough. Of course, wedding rings are acceptable. Keep your scents natural and soft.
