Workplace

Let’s talk about job interviews. Specifically, what you should wear if you have one. Because most first impressions are made within three seconds. So if you’re wearing the wrong outfit, it could be the difference between “You’re hired!” and “Thank you for your time.” So here are tips that’ll help you dress for success. This is from MSNBC.com.

• Opt for a conservative look. Your neon orange tie might be cool, but it also might be too distracting for people to take you seriously. In most cases, it makes sense to choose simple, understated styles and colors – like blues and grays. In fact, body language expert Maxine Lucille Fiel recommends wearing navy blue – it’s a color that practically shouts “I’m smart and sincere!” If you’re thinking about skipping the suit, know this: In a study, half the subjects went on interviews in suits - the others wore slacks with a shirt and sweater. The results? 80% of the suit wearing subjects were called back – compared to 20% of the more casually dressed subjects.
• Accessorize with great care. This isn’t the time to go with wild nail polish, noisy jewelry, or tons of cologne. Why? Because all of these things can be distracting to the interviewer, and you want them to remember why you'd be good at the job, not that you had bright green nails. Or that they could smell you about five minutes before they actually saw you.
• Clean, pressed clothes are important. Make sure you wear clean, polished shoes, too. When your outfit looks sloppy, YOU look sloppy, and people will assume your work is sloppy.
• You should also have clean, groomed hair and fingernails and fresh breath. Why? Because it shows you pay attention to detail – a quality most companies are looking for.
• When in doubt, ASK! If you're not sure about the company's dress code, call Human Resources and ask. Some hiring managers recommend dressing one or two levels UP from the position you’re seeking. This shows you’re a serious job candidate who cares about making a good impression.