Your physical appearance, your body weight, the clothes you wear, your tattoos. In an ideal world, these things should have no impact on the decision of the hiring managers (unless you try to get a job of a waitress, or flight attendant, or hostess, simply a job where your physical appearance matters). But we do not live in an ideal world.

Interviewers are only people–just like you, or me. They have their favorite colors, each of them likes certain type of people and clothes, and they can’t really get those things out of their heads. They are always there, at least in their subconscious mind, and they have a direct impact on their decisions in an interview with you. In this article we will have a look at some tips and basic strategies that should help you to choose the right clothes for your interview.

 

Wear the same clothes you would wear to the job

If you are interviewing for a position of a marketing manager, wear clothes you would wear to work – shirt and tie, or a blouse. Jacket will not harm you. Everything should be clean and modern.

If you interview for a job of customer assistant, or a cashier, nice blouse or clean t-shirt will do the trick. And, if you apply for a car mechanic position, you should wear clean and well ironed overalls. Flight attendant job applicants, or waiter job applicants, can and even should wear something attractive, because to look good is a part of their job, and they should do their best to be attractive.

 

Stick to company colors

If you would like to use the power of our subconscious mind to your advantage, try to wear a shirt in the color that represents our company. Each and every big corporation has their colors. And many small companies have them too. IBM has blue, STARBUCKS green. Visit the website of the institution and check the design of the page. Which color prevails on the page? Which colors prevail on their logo?

If you wanted to apply for a job with InterviewPenguin.com (the website you are reading right now), you’ll do well with blue shirt, and perhaps an orange napkin in your breast pocket ;).

Color psychology and your interviewer

We live in a digital age. You can find information about everyone, everywhere. If you know the name of your interviewer, you should be able to find information about them. Who they are, how old they are, what they like to do, and even if they are single or married. Search for their name on Google, and you will find a lot of information.

If you find out that your interviewer is an easy going, honest guy, and wears red colored shirts to work (typical for sanguine personality), you can adjust your interview attire to that, and choose some shiny colors.

 

Color psychology

Did you know that orange and brown are the least favorite colors of women? And that men also do not like brown color? Blue, green, black, and white are on the opposite side of the spectrum–the colors men like the most.

Knowing something about color psychology should help you to understand which colors you should avoid in your interview, and perhaps also which colors you should wear.

 

Do not overdo it with the attire

As I said in the beginning of this post, a good interviewer should not place much value on your physical appearance, and your clothes. They should and often also will care mostly about your skills, abilities, knowledge, motivation, attitude–all of that will be reflected in your interview answers, and in the way you conduct yourself in an interview.

You can and should spend a few minutes choosing your attire, and if you have enough time, you can study a bit of color psychology, and try to think what will work the best with your interviewer. Every small detail can make a difference at the end of the interviews.

Nevertheless, you should focus mostly on your interview preparation–your pre-interview research, and preparing good answers to the questions you will deal with. Other things matter as well, but they should not become your first priority when preparing for the big day.

 

Continue your preparation with InterviewPenguin.com – Your best job interview coach since 2011:

  • Interview questions by job title – Learn what they will ask you in your particular interview. You should find your job in our list of 8 categories and more than 150 different job titles…
  • Interview Success Package– Brilliant answers to all difficult interview questions. Learn something other job seekers do not know, and stand out in your interview!
  • Salary negotiation section – Learn how to get what you deserve. Salary negotiation letter samples, negotiation strategies and tips.
Matthew Chulaw
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