Interview Attire

Interview Attire

Interview attire is one of my favorite topics! Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want! Everything matters during an interview; from your hair to your shoes, the color of your shirt to the style of your suite. So why is this important during a job interview? Below is a list of things you should wear, should avoid wearing, and what an employer may interpret them as!

Interview Attire Fact #1: Hair

Men: If you looked like you just rolled out of bed or look like you haven’t gone for a haircut in weeks, you scream, “I just don’t care” to an employer. If you don’t care about your presentation, how do they know you will care about your work?  They don’t!

Women: Alright ladies, wearing your hair down can be exhilarating, sexy and fun but that isn’t the point you are trying to get across during an interview. You want to sell your abilities, not your appearance. Wear your hair up!

Interview Attire Fact #2: Suit

Men: I don’t know where to start! You want to wear a nice pair of slacks with a matching suit jacket, a dress shirt and a tie. You don’t want your suite to be too flashy unless you are interviewing to be a CEO. Too flashy might say you can’t manage money and possibly, aren’t a good decision maker. You can even go to assume that you care a lot about what others think and are unable to think for yourself. For your shirt, stay away from silk or see-through fabrics and avoid heavy cottons. Go with plain colors and stray away from erratic prints.

Women: Again, you want to sell your abilities, not your appearance. Try to avoid wearing a skirt, even if it’s a longer pencil skirt. Go with a nice pair of slacks with a matching suite jacket and a nice shirt. Same rules apply to you as they do the men.

Interview Attire Fact #3: Shoes

Men: Don’t wear flip flops, sneakers, loafers, sandals, etc. If it isn’t a dress shoe, don’t even think about it! Further, make sure it matches your suite. If you have a black or gray suite, wear black shoes. Don’t show up in white shoes, pink shoes, blue shoes, etc. An employer can look at your shoes and think many things. They could say you are motivated and driven or lazy and unprepared. Which do you want to be?

Women: The same applies for you only you have one additional rule. Do not wear open-toe or toe-less shoes. Further, avoid shoes with a very high heel. You are not walking down the runway; you are showing up for an interview. Keep it simple and professional.

Interview Attire Fact #4: Piercings

Men and Women: Several ear piercings, nose piercings, tongue piercings, neck piercings, eye brow piercings, etc. If, and I mean if, you make it past the metal detector, the interviewer may just turn you right back around. As an employee you represent their company and their company would like to maintain a particular image. At work, you represent them, at home, you represent you. Keep that in mind!

Interview Attire Fact #5: Hats

Men and Women: You couldn’t wear a hat to class, you can’t wear a hat to dinner, you shouldn’t wear a hat to a wedding. Why may I ask would you wear a hat to an interview? Does it mean you are unprepared for the interview? Does it mean you woke up late? Does it mean you just don’t care? Not a single curiosity that comes to mind is positive, eek!

Interview Attire Fact #6: Jewelry

Men and Women: Unless you plan on working at a jewelry store, don’t load your hands with rings or your wrists with bracelets. Keep it to one ring per finger and one bracelet, if that, per wrist. If you have anything more it shows un-organization, the inability to make decisions, that you are materialistic and rely on the decisions and opinions of others. The list of possibilities could go on. Just keep in mind, at work you represent them, at home you represent you.

For more of my job search, job interview and career articles, visit my blog.

Shopping For Your Job Interview

Shopping For Your Job Interview

The subliminal power of a visual cue is a psychological fact.  One that leads marketers to spend billions.  You need to represent your product–your ability and professionalism–on the outside.  Unlike the mind-blowing qualification that fill your resume, your appearance is the element that is in everyone’s face, every day.  Other candidates are giving their wardrobe a high level of attention.  You can’t afford not to.

Invest In Yourself
Dressin up to your potential cost money.  Your initial wardrobe will cost more than your prom dress, less than your wedding dress.  But the payoff, thankfully, will be much closer to the latter than the former.  You’re investing in your confidence, value, packaging.  You’re showing people what you have on the inside.  It’s the unspoken cue that relays your capability and worthiness all day, every day.  A cheap suit will leave you insecure, worried, inferior.  A good suit, tailored to fit perfectly, with the right shoes and bag, will make you feel confident, appropriate, and raring to go.  You’ve paying for conviction and poise, comfort, self-esteem.  You’re paying for the luxury of forgetting what you’re wearing so you can get on with the job at hand.

The goal when shopping for a smart wordrobe is to keep the wallet outlay at a minimum, while keeping one key factor in mind:   The better the quality of the item you buy, the better it will make you look, and the longer it will last.

The first step in buying high quality that’s affordable is to browse the designer floors.  Assess the fit, fabric, quality, and style of the clothes you find there.  How are the suits cut? What fabric does they use? Try on a suit to see how they fit. Once you’re familar with the details that denote quality, head to the more affordable racks and look for the closet approximation to those qualities that you can find.

Dressing for less mean carefully determining what you are going to spend the most money on.  Rule of thumb:  Buy items that are classic— not trendy–and good enough that you will have them forever.

   Reserve the largest chunk of your budget for your suit.  It must be a nice fabric–a wool or woolblend is timeless, lasts year round, and is versatile.  Choose on with clean, classic lines and in a neutral color (black is most versatile) that will easily mix with other items in your wardrobe.  Remember to factor in the cost of tailoring.  The items you wear with it—your handbag, your shoes, for example—can be more affordable.  After all, under her tuxedo, Sharon Stone wore a Gap T-shirt to the Oscars and drew raves!

 

Related Ed Hardy Articles

Tattoos and the Job Interview

Tattoos and the Job Interview

Tattoos are an artistic expression of your youth. But now that expression could be hurting your chances to land the dream job you have always wanted.

For most companies maintaining a professional appearance is expected of their employees. One way to maintain a professional appearance is not having exposed tattoos. Most professional companies and many non-professional companies prohibit their employees from having exposed tattoos. Now imagine showing up for an interview with an exposed tattoo at an organization that prohibits their employees from having exposed tattoos. What are your chances of landing this job? Little to none.

When interviewing for any job, employers are looking for candidates that exude professionalism. Most often, in an interview the first impression you will make on an employer is based on your appearance. Your appearance will determine the atmosphere of the interview process. In this critical juncture of the interview process having visible tattoos is very detrimental to your chances of getting the job. Having a visible tattoo during an interview expresses to the employer that you have a lack of professionalism and you do not have appropriate judgment to be hired by their company.

Making a positive impression on an employer during an interview with exposed tattoos is very unlikely. Most people with visible tattoos try to cover them up during the interview process with long sleeves, long skirts, leaving their hair down or even makeup. This method will not work for heavily tattooed individuals with tattoos on their neck, hands, wrist, lower leg or face. Many heavily tattooed people want to pursue a professional career, but believe they can’t due to their exposed tattoos. Others will try and pursue a professional career with little success. The only option for heavily tattooed individuals to succeed on a job interview is to have their tattoos removed by a professional.

The professional removal of your exposed tattoos will greatly increase your chances of making a positive impression on an employer during the interview process. Making a positive first impression through a tattoo free, professional appearance and demeanor will greatly increase your chances of being hired. The confidence you will experience from having your tattoos removed will allow you to express your positive attributes and experience in a more confident manner. Without the distraction of your exposed tattoos, the employer will now be able to focus on these positive aspects which you are displaying during the interview and understand the reasons they should hire you for the position.

Many well-qualified but heavily tattooed individuals have faced these exact problems. Our company works with these people to help them overcome these obstacles through our professional tattoo removal services. By working with our professional, qualified staff of tattoo removal specialist many individuals have removed tattoos that have plagued their career aspirations and gone on to achieve their professional career goals. Don’t attend another interview with an exposed tattoo. After the removal of your exposed tattoo you can interview with confidence and begin your dream career.

Singapore’s Tattoo Convention has gathered body art fans from around the world. . Follow us on twitter at twitter.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Find More Tattooed Articles

Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Tips for a Successful Job Interview

Tips for a Successful Job Interview

 

 

 

With so many people out of work these days, it’s important to keep in mind that you need to be prepared when faced with finding a new job.  You’ll find that there are many prospective job seekers all vying for the perfect position or even temporary employment until the right job comes along.  Competition can be fierce. 

 

If you are lucky enough to snag an interview after submitting in application, do a little research on the company.  It may give you a slight edge over the other applicants.  You will be able to show the person conducting the interview that you have some familiarity with what the company does and how it operates.

 

Touch up your resume.  Instead of listing your past duties and accomplishments try to incorporate your strengths in such a way that it will show how much value you can bring to the potential employer.   For instance instead of writing “Supervised weekly payroll”, try using “Created a standardized process for recording, tracking and disbursement of weekly payroll which resulted in a 98 percent accuracy rate in check errors”.  This later statement adds value to your skills.

 

When arriving for an interview your attitude should always be courteous and polite.  Dress for the position that you want.  Remember a large number of employers have tattoo policies.  Keep any tattoos covered either by using makeup or by wearing clothing to conceal your artwork.  Another option is the tattoo cover up sleeve offered by Ink Armor.  The sleeve slips right on and off and can be worn all day because it’s made from a breathable flexible fabric.

 

Prospective employers are looking for talent, confidence and highly motivated people to add strength the company that they represent.  It is important to be personable and show interest in what the interviewer is conveying in regard to the position.

 

Always send a thank you note to follow up after you’ve completed an interview.  Remember to get the business card from the interviewer so that you will have their contact information. 

 

A job search can be a stressful time but if you are prepared the search will go a lot smoother.  You may not get the first job you interview for but don’t give up.  Think of each interview as a practice exercise and try not to be too critical of your efforts.  Eventually you will land the job that’s just right for you.

Find More Cover Up Tattoo Articles

Turn the Table On your Interviewer: Tips to Having a Successful Interview

Turn the Table On your Interviewer: Tips to Having a Successful Interview

The interview process is a very important phase of your career search. Due to the current layoff trend and projections of a recessed economy, both recent graduates and seasoned professionals are competing for the most menial of entry-level positions. Possessing sharp interview skills is necessary if you want to maintain an advantage in today’s highly competitive job market.

Proper preparation is key. When accepting an invitation to interview, make sure you obtain as much information from the appointment setter as possible. Learn the name and title of the interviewer and/or the department head, the full title of the position being recruited for and the department in which the position will be held. If you did not retain a copy of the job announcement or if the advertisement was too vague, try to secure a complete job description as well. Visit the office prior to your interview, identify yourself as a potential candidate to the receptionist and let him/her know that you just wanted to make sure of the exact location of the company so he/she won’t be alarmed by your impromptu arrival. You can also request company literature and a job description if you had not previously obtained one. Usually, the receptionist will be willing to oblige. You can then use the information you have gathered to learn more about the company and what your expected role will be. Browse through the company website and locate your interviewer’s (or the department head’s) bio if there is one available. Take special notice of the company’s mission and think of a statement that would allow you to speak sincerely of how your own values align with the company’s objectives.

Don’t just leave it at company-specific research. Check out similar positions and other companies that operate in the same industry. Read the business section of local newspapers and trade magazines paying close attention to the status of public holdings. Look at current developments in the industry and the projected outlook of the field. Talk with people you know who hold comparable positions. Perform a salary comparison so you will know what type of compensation to expect and be in a better position for negotiation when the topic is broached. The information you obtain will prove valuable in letting the interviewer know you are truly interested in the position and will give you more ammunition during the inevitable small talk that occurs at the beginning and end of an interview.

Give yourself a mock interview. Think of answers to some of the most commonly asked interview questions such as “tell me about yourself?,” “what are your strengths…weaknesses?” and “where do you see yourself in five years?” Make sure your responses are positive. Turn negative experiences and weaknesses into strengths. For example, “I am very focused which is both a strength and a weakness because it prevents me from moving on to another task until I have completed the one I am currently working on” or “I am a really good listener which often allows for people to take advantage of my time with unnecessary chatter.” Jot down three to five facts from your research that can be developed into a great answer to the popular question, “why do you want to work for this company?” Also, create a list of questions to ask the interviewer. This is just as much an interview for the company as it is for you.

Knowledge is just half the battle. You must also look the part. The popular advice is to dress business professional. While this is not bad advice, it is not always practical to follow it. During your fact-gathering visit to the company, you should have also taken a good look at how the employees were dressed and keep in mind what is the industry standard. You don’t want to show up for an interview in four-inch heeled pumps to discover that you have to walk across a slippery factory floor nor should you be in jeans and sneakers to sit down with the Chief Financial Officer of a major marketing firm. The rule of thumb is never wear less than a pair of slacks and loafers and always be well-groomed with minimal jewelry (you can pull out a few piercings for a day) and without excessive makeup. Times are changing fast but old traditions still hold true to form. Unless it is an acceptable practice to the company at which you seek to be hired, cover up tattoos and save another day to try out that new green and purple hair dye.

This really should go without saying but be on time. You should arrive approximately ten to fifteen minutes early for your interview. You don’t want to be too early as this tends to just confuse your interviewer and you don’t want to be late at all. Tardiness is not an attribute you want to give your potential employer as a first impression. Now this may come as a shock to you but your interviewer should not be late either. Remember, you are there to interview the company

Next Page »