Initial impressions are strong and lasting. It has been said that we will form our opinion of someone within the first 5 minutes of meeting them. Of course, since we cannot truly begin to “know” another person in only 5 minutes it only stands to reason that our first opinion will be based mostly on what we can readily observe.
Let’s apply this information to your next job interview. An interviewer’s first, and most conscious, observation is going to be your attire and grooming. Both of those factors create a very strong first impression. Unfortunately it is one of life’s little ironies that bad impressions will tend to make a bigger impact and last longer than do good impressions.
This is why you need to get it right. If you want to have a successful interview and get hired it is essential that you be remembered for what you had to say rather than for what you were wearing.
Do not make these 3 mistakes:
- 2001 is calling and wants their outfit back. You really should update your interview wardrobe more often that you vote in a presidential election. Yes, even the “classic” looks change over time. Have you been holding on to an old suit because you think it will come back in style? Oh it will, but those sneaky designers will change it just enough that everything you saved will now look old rather than retro cool.
- It’s never a good idea to look too trendy during your interview either. Here is another tip – if you look in the mirror and think “oh, that’s really cute!” then don’t wear it. Adults shouldn’t look “cute”. When you interview you want to appear to be professional not juvenile. Stay away from loud colors, flashy shoes, plunging necklines and pretty much anything else that could do double duty on a Saturday night at your favorite nightclub.
- Remember, it’s an interview and not a date. Keep your jewelry simple, skip the perfume and tone down your makeup. I recently interviewed a perfectly nicely dressed and otherwise very mature candidate, that is, except for the white sparkly eye shadow she was wearing. I couldn’t stop looking at it! What was she thinking? Well, I know what I was thinking – here is somebody with poor judgment
