Kennedy Recruitment

Do Clothes Make The Applicant?

Going for a job interview?

Then you've probably had plenty of good recruitment advice already. Advice about researching the company you're applying to. Finding out as much as you can about the position. Checking that your skills really match the ones that are needed for the job. Thinking about the questions you are likely to be asked. All good advice, and all true.

But has anyone suggested what you should wear to the interview?

If not, here are a few things to think about.

• What is the dress code of the company - if it has one?
• How creative is the work it does?
• Will your intended role involve meeting clients?
• And is this your first job, or a promotion?

And the point of asking yourself these questions? To help you ‘dress the part' - and look like the kind of person who will suit the job, and whom the employer will want to see in that job.

Bearing that in mind, it's always smarter to play safe when you're dressing for the interview. Choose neutral colours for jackets, skirts or trousers and keep brighter colours for tops, shirts and ties.

Make sure your shoes are polished, and in good condition - and make sure you don't have the hem of your coat hanging down, or buttons missing. Sloppy dress can suggest to some recruiters you'll be equally sloppy with your work.

And if you're a little overdressed?

It doesn't really matter. Indeed ideally your interview outfit will be one step above your every day wear in the job. What it shows is that you respect your prospective employer, that you know how to dress smart, and that you're taking the interview seriously.  Which is always a good idea!

For further advice read this recruitment interview article on dressing for interview success.