A lot of what I discuss on this blog has to do with general information. That is, it is information that could apply to pretty much any situation. In today's post, however, I want to focus in on a specific situation; one that is often seen as intimidating.
Job interviews.
Many people often overthink job interviews. They seem to view them as this insurmountable challenge, when in reality, they're really nothing more than a primary conversation with your potential future employer.
The key is to make a great first impression, and I'm assuming you already do that on a daily basis with other people. So then there's really no reason to overthink interviews.
Yea, the person you're meeting with has the power to either hire you or pass over you, but if you focus on just making an unforgettable first impression, you don't have anything to worry about.
So in today's post, I'm going to be going over 4 key things you need to know before your job interview. A lot of the information may seem familiar if you've been reading my other stuff, but my focus is going to be on one topic.
Without further ado, let's get into it:
I. Wear Something You Feel Confident In
While there is a certain dress-code for job interviews, you definitely don't want to wear something new that you're not use to wearing.
This means that you don't want to go out, buy a three-piece suit, and wear it for the first time on the day of your interview. Why? Because there's a good chance that either, a. it's not going to fit properly and might need to be adjusted, b. you're not going to fill comfortable wearing it, or c. both
And if you don't feel comfortable wearing it it's going to show.
Sure, you probably won't be immediately dismissed by your potential employer if you seem uncomfortable in your outfit, but you definitely won't make that great first impression.
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| Unless you know for a fact that the company requires you to wear a full suit, an outfit like this will work just as well. I would consider this look more business casual, but if you're going to feel more confident wearing it than a full suit, you're going to make a better first impression. |
So here's what I recommend doing. Either:
Go out and buy a new outfit/suit a week or two prior to the interview, and give yourself time to practice wearing it. Literally spend some time everyday wearing it. Look at yourself in the mirror and really get a feel for the outfit. Maybe even try visualizing yourself walking into the interview wearing the outfit. Picture yourself shaking the person's hand. See yourself going through the motions of the interview while wearing it. This is the expedited way of getting comfortable with an outfit.
Or
Wear something you already own that you feel comfortable with. Unless you have a closet filled with graphic tees and ripped jeans, which you definitely don't want to wear to an interview, it might be easier to wear a nice button-down and pair of khakis that you already own. Most employers probably aren't looking specifically for people wearing three-piece suits, so as long as you look professional, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
After all, there's a reason confidence is part of my Big 4 of Style-- because it matters a lot!
Pro-tip: To give yourself a major advantage, look on the company's website and try to get a feel for the dress-code. If everyone you see is wearing a suit or more formal attire, you want to make sure you're wearing something formal. However, if everyone you see is wearing business casual, you want to make sure you're wearing something business causal. Basically, you want to be dressed as if you already work there. It's a small but powerful trick.
So, whether you decide to buy a new outfit and practice wearing it or wear something professional you already own, just make sure you wear it with confidence.
II. Bring Your Portfolio And Only Your Portfolio
I know portfolios probably seem archaic in this age of technology, but trust me when I tell you that they are an essential accoutrement while attending a job interview or going to a networking event. There's just something about holding a portfolio that screams professionalism; not only does it show other people you mean business (literally), but it makes you feel more confident in your professional attire.
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| The portfolio is probably the most professional accessory you can have. It has the potential to make any outfit seem just a bit more professional! |
Honestly, I'm not quite sure why that is. If anyone has any theories let me know in the comments!
There are a plethora of different kinds of portfolios. If you don't already have one, I would suggest not getting swept-up in all the variety. Simply go for something classic and simple. Black, brown, or blue leather/faux leather looks great and definitely will convey the message you want to your potential employer.
Pro-tip: make sure your portfolio doesn't have a logo on it! An interview is all about promoting your personal brand, not someone else's.
The reason portfolio's are a must-have for interviews is because of how convenient they are. I usually keep my resume, cover letter, business cards, and notes in mine. The notes portion is what's really going to score you points at an interview.
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| Note how my portfolio has a notepad, pen holder, side folders, and even a card holder. Everything you'd need and more for a job interview! |
By opening your portfolio-- I usually place it in front of me-- when you sit down, it's inadvertently showing the interviewer how much time and effort you spent preparing for the interview. And this is huge!
Note above how I took a full page of notes while preparing for my interview at Saks Fifth Avenue. I would suggest at least filling-up one page with notes. Whether or not you even use them, they'll show your potential employer that you're a planner.
Employers want to see that you spent time getting ready to meet with them. Being meticulous is a major plus and if the employer can see that, I guarantee your'e going to stand-out from other people interviewing.
The reason you should only bring your portfolio to a job interview is because it tells the employer that you're there to get the job and only for that reason. Avoid bringing handbags or backpacks because this might suggest that you have other things on your mind (i.e. if you bring your backpack the employer may think you have class after)
Pro-tip: While walking in with a bottle of water is fine-- just make sure to have one hand free to shake the employer's-- absolutely do not walk in with an iced coffee or anything similar. This will likely diminish your professional look and effect your first impression.
Will bringing your bag or an iced drink to an interview prevent you from getting the job? Probably not, but I think the less you have when you walk in, the better you'll look.
III. Wear Appropriate Colors
This one might seem obvious, and I hope it does, but you absolutely need to wear the right colors. I talk a lot about the rhetoric of colors on this page, and that's because of how important colors are when it comes to style.
Well, wearing the right colors is perhaps even more important when going to a job interview. That's because you want to convey a very specific message to your potential employer.
You want to show them that you're someone who has integrity and a clear sense of self. Someone who knows what they want and where they're going. Someone who is friendly and trustworthy.
What color do you think conveys that message?
Blue.
I think the best color you can wear to a job interview is a darker shade of blue. Blue is just a classic professional color which will convey everything you want to convey to the employer.
My personal choice is going for a medium blue. That's because medium blue is slightly less common than navy blue. Ergo, you'll stand-out by wearing it.
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| Nothing beats the professionalism conveyed by wearing a blue suit. I actually prefer either my navy blue pinstripe suit or this medium blue suit over a solid navy blue. I feel most people are going to default to a navy blue suit, but remember: the goal is to stand-out to your potential employer. |
I feel like charcoal would also work, but avoid wearing black to an interview considering it tends to be a more aggressive color.
Pro-tip: Wearing pinstripes can give you a powerful advantage, but only if you're interviewing for more of a managerial or independent position. That is because pinstripes convey a strong sense of leadership and financial success. You probably wouldn't want to wear them if interviewing for an entry-level position though.
You can probably tell at this point that standing-out at a job interview or networking event tends to be a good thing. However, there is a wrong way to stand-out. For example, what do you think the employer's response would be if I showed up to an interview wearing this:
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| I love wearing my pink suit, but what do you think the employer would think if I showed-up to an interview wearing it? |
Stick with your conservative colors like blue and grey and keep patterns to a minimum, and you'll be good to go for your interview!
IV. Wear An Analog Wrist Watch
Wearing an analog watch is like the icing on the cake of your job interview style. It's going to tie everything together really nicely and send yet another really important message to your potential employer: that you have great time management skills.
Why does that matter, you might be wondering?
Because it's always a good sign for a potential employer when they interview with someone who seems to have a good grasp on time. Someone who will always be on time and will never miss a deadline because it "slipped their mind".
Having a strong awareness of time is probably one of the top three traits potential employers look for. At least it would be for me if I were going to hire someone.
Now, you probably know that there are many different options when it comes to wearing a watch. I highly recommend checking-out this interview I did with Colin Lack a couple months ago.
The reason I think you absolutely have to wear an analog watch as opposed to a digital, smart, or fashion watch, is because analog watches are the epitome of class. They're eloquent and formal; both of which are traits you want to convey in your job interview style.
I think digital and smart watches tend to be tacky and are definitely not going to look great with the rest of your attire. I really don't think you won't get a job simply because you wore the wrong kind of watch, but I can guarantee, once again, that you won't convey the exact message you want to convey at a job interview.
Instead, go for something simple and stylish like this blue leather Kenneth Cole watch:
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| The best part about getting a watch like this is that you don't have to break the bank to get one. This watch only cost me $62 at Macy's! |
The great thing about a leather band is that you can match it with the rest of your outfit. For example, if I were going to wear my medium blue suit to an interview, I would probably wear the above watch to match it. Or let's say you're going to be wearing a charcoal grey suit, in that case, it would make sense to wear a black leather band.
I would actually avoid wearing a bracelet watch to an interview. Bracelet watches tend to be less comfortable than leather bands, and therefore, can actually be more of a distraction for you during the interview.
Pro-tip: As mentioned in the interview with Colin, the smaller the size of the watch, the more formal it's going to appear. If you want to go for something really classy, I would go with a 28mm-34mm watch. You'd do fine with most average sizes of watches, but I would avoid anything over 45mm, because at that point, you risk being seen as tacky which is the opposite of formal.
Regardless of what you decide to wear, wearing an analog watch to an interview is a nice touch that your potential employer will surely appreciate!
Bonus Tip!
To quote the late Billy Mays, "But wait! There's more!"
I've talked a lot about how to dress for your job interview, and I guarantee that you will be looking like a million bucks walking into the interview room wearing your cool blue suit holding your bold, black leather portfolio. I can see it now.
But real quick, there's one more thing you can do before your interview that will give you a clear style advantage over other candidates for the job:
Wearing A Light Fragrance.
Now, this can either make you seem even better to your potential employer or it could make you seem worse. So use at your own caution.
The reason I say light fragrance is because a lot of people are sensitive to colognes and perfumes, so if you wear a really strong one and the person interviewing you is sensitive to it, there's a good chance you won't hear from them again.
So instead, you want to wear something light; something that is typically referred to as an office scent because it is mass-appealing and has a low chance of offending anyone.
You want something that isn't going to distract the person interviewing you, but rather something they subtly detect as you walk in the room.
I think your safest bet is to wear a parfum to an interview. Parfum's tend to be very light and refined which make them ideal for such a situation. A great fragrance I would go for if I were interviewing would be Dior Sauvage Parfum.
Sauvage Parfum has a lot of sandalwood and other subtle notes, which is great if you're not trying to show-off your fragrance such as would be the case in a job interview.
Another great choice would be Mont Blanc Legend. That, like the Sauvage Parfum, is super light and refined. Personally, I think any of the three variations would work, but the original Legend is best suited for an interview setting, in my opinion.
In terms of price though, Mont Blanc Legend costs a fifth of the price of Sauvage Parfum, so if you're on a budget I would go for the former. Parfums are always going to be a bit more pricy-- starting in the $120 USD range-- so if you don't have a lot of extra money, I would go with an office appropriate EDT such as Legend or Coach for Men.
Both can be found for pretty cheap on fragrancex.com
Honestly, there are a ton of possible fragrances you could wear. It's a matter of personal preference. However, if you're not sure if a fragrance is office appropriate or not, I would suggest not wearing it. Better to be safe than sorry!
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Job interviews can appear daunting. It's very easy to overthink them. But as long as you make a great first impression with your style and possibly your scent, the interview should go smoothly and naturally.
Obviously, there's a lot more that goes into a successful interview than how great you dress. I would highly recommend doing research on either LinkedIn or using other local resources like your school.
I feel the more knowledge you have on the interview process the more prepared you'll be for the interview, and remember what I said, that's a huge plus.
Focusing on your job interview style can actually be a fun way to not get stressed-out or overthink the process. Focus on looking your best and walk into the interview with confidence!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel me to email me at tnpersona@gmail.com or send me a direct message on any of my social media pages.
-Ryan S.
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