According to statistics, an interviewer makes a decision to hire a candidate in the first 30 seconds of their conversation. They can evaluate the manners and the appearance of the potential employee in such a short period of time. This means that an outfit plays a crucial role in this situation. Most people know that an employer won’t appreciate untidiness, bad taste in clothes, and an outfit that is too revealing. But sometimes things aren’t that simple.
We decided to find out what hiring managers think about candidates’ clothes and how the way we dress can influence their final decision.
1. The color of your clothes influences how other people perceive you.
Orange was considered the most “unprofessional” color. Interviewers also tended to get tired of red and yellow quickly. Blue got good reviews: recruiters think that team players often choose to wear this color.
2. Clothes that are too bright may be seen as a warning.
Clothes that are too bright and extravagant may indicate a desire to attract attention at any cost and this can have a negative effect on the recruiter’s opinion. They may start having doubts about the true personality of a candidate. Even if you’re applying for a position and an employer appreciates your creativity, quick thinking, and ability to problem-solve, it’s better to avoid looking too extravagant.
3. An employer may quickly reject you in their head if they think that you won’t “fit in.”
If you’re a creative person like a photographer, a musician, a designer, an actor, or a journalist, it’s better to choose a more relaxed look that will accentuate your own style. The same goes for startups with young professionals who don’t like to abide by a strict dress code.
4. A hiring manager will always notice if you’re wearing new clothes.
The most common mistakes are the pockets and slots on a jacket or a coat that are sewn shut. The slot is usually intercepted crosswise with a thread of a matching color to preserve the shape of the jacket during its transportation. After the purchase, these threads need to be removed, but not all people do that.
5. When you feel uncomfortable in your clothes, a recruiter will be able to see it.
Don’t choose clothes that are too tight or too loose. Pay attention to fabrics that don’t wrinkle too much. According to statistics, this problem with clothes influences our self-esteem the most. Don’t choose a hairstyle or makeup that you wouldn’t wear in your everyday life. Even if this advice contradicts something we mentioned in the previous points, your comfort should be a priority. If you feel like yourself, it’ll help you open up during an interview.