*Jenna*
What to wear to an interview: How to put yourself in the best position to land your dream job.
What to wear to an interview: How to put yourself in the best position to land your dream job.
So here goes my first post. To bring you up to
speed; last week I went for a job interview and I have been invited back for a
second interview next week.
An important part of the job interview is how you present yourself. Studies have found that in the first ten seconds of looking at someone, one forms an opinion of how successful a person will be. So first impressions count, thus if you don't dress like a successful professional (no matter how incredibly talented I'm sure you are), you will be less likely to be considered for the job. So that's the bad news. The good news is that, with the aid of this post, it is within your reach to be able to dress well for an interview.
This post is going to go through the outfit I wore which I believe aided me in getting the call back. I went for an outfit that put me across as a professional but also allowed me to look youthful. Bearing in mind I am going into a creative industry and thus dressing like a middle age lawyer would be as inappropriate as wearing a beach dress and flip flops.
An important part of the job interview is how you present yourself. Studies have found that in the first ten seconds of looking at someone, one forms an opinion of how successful a person will be. So first impressions count, thus if you don't dress like a successful professional (no matter how incredibly talented I'm sure you are), you will be less likely to be considered for the job. So that's the bad news. The good news is that, with the aid of this post, it is within your reach to be able to dress well for an interview.
This post is going to go through the outfit I wore which I believe aided me in getting the call back. I went for an outfit that put me across as a professional but also allowed me to look youthful. Bearing in mind I am going into a creative industry and thus dressing like a middle age lawyer would be as inappropriate as wearing a beach dress and flip flops.
1) The dress
I wore a charcoal dress with leather details from
Woolworths (R299.00). I like this dress as it is simple and striking. I feel
very professional in it, but the leather detail brings an edginess that puts me
across as a creative individual. What I also like about this dress is that if
you wear a blazer or cardigan over it you can completely change up the look of
the outfit.
2) The shoes
I dressed up the dress with black suede heels from Studio W at Woolworths (R375.00), they are incredibly elegant and comfortable which makes them perfect for an interview where you won't be doing much walking around and really want to put your best foot forward. Theses shoes also come at an exceptional price for genuine leather shoes. (If you like them think about getting them asap as by they are flying off the shelf at Woolies).
3) The bag
This is an older bag that I already had in my cupboard which was from Woolworths. It is understated which I thought was suitable for an interview and it is also really nice and big so I can house my iPad in it without any issues. Bringing a book or iPad is perfect for when you have to sit and wait in the reception for the interview to begin.
4) Jewellery
So here is a good tip I did not learn until recently. For an interview keep the jewellery as minimal as possible as from every piece you wear the interviewer can infer something about you. Also, I am in the habit of fiddling with rings and bracelets when I am nervous, and you can surely see that alerting the interviewer to your nerves is never a sound plan. So for the interview I wore really simple circular silver studs and nothing else. If you want to wear another piece of jewellery make sure it is a statement piece and is there to highlight your taste.
5) Make up
In the business world it is considered polite to wear make-up. That you put in the effort to meet the person is a subtle compliment. However, this does not mean that you go full on "going-out" make up. The trick to work make up is to look like you are wearing barely any make up at all and that you naturally woke up in the morning looking radiant.
I wore Garnier BB Cream as a base (which you can get from Clicks for R74.99 and comes in light, medium and dark), which was only recently recommended to me, it is really lovely as it allows you a very light coverage which you can build up gradually.
For my eyes I used NYX, The Runway Collection, Caviar and Bubbles (which can also be found at Clicks for R159.99) which has the most beautiful collection of neutrals and browns. It's really to die for. Then put on a sweep of your favourite mascara. Note: I will put forward different ways to do eyes in a later blog post.
2) The shoes
I dressed up the dress with black suede heels from Studio W at Woolworths (R375.00), they are incredibly elegant and comfortable which makes them perfect for an interview where you won't be doing much walking around and really want to put your best foot forward. Theses shoes also come at an exceptional price for genuine leather shoes. (If you like them think about getting them asap as by they are flying off the shelf at Woolies).
3) The bag
This is an older bag that I already had in my cupboard which was from Woolworths. It is understated which I thought was suitable for an interview and it is also really nice and big so I can house my iPad in it without any issues. Bringing a book or iPad is perfect for when you have to sit and wait in the reception for the interview to begin.
4) Jewellery
So here is a good tip I did not learn until recently. For an interview keep the jewellery as minimal as possible as from every piece you wear the interviewer can infer something about you. Also, I am in the habit of fiddling with rings and bracelets when I am nervous, and you can surely see that alerting the interviewer to your nerves is never a sound plan. So for the interview I wore really simple circular silver studs and nothing else. If you want to wear another piece of jewellery make sure it is a statement piece and is there to highlight your taste.
5) Make up
In the business world it is considered polite to wear make-up. That you put in the effort to meet the person is a subtle compliment. However, this does not mean that you go full on "going-out" make up. The trick to work make up is to look like you are wearing barely any make up at all and that you naturally woke up in the morning looking radiant.
I wore Garnier BB Cream as a base (which you can get from Clicks for R74.99 and comes in light, medium and dark), which was only recently recommended to me, it is really lovely as it allows you a very light coverage which you can build up gradually.
For my eyes I used NYX, The Runway Collection, Caviar and Bubbles (which can also be found at Clicks for R159.99) which has the most beautiful collection of neutrals and browns. It's really to die for. Then put on a sweep of your favourite mascara. Note: I will put forward different ways to do eyes in a later blog post.
For your nails choose something subtle and pretty like Essie's French Affair. Or else get a French manicure. Your nails should appear well groomed but not over the top.
Finally put
in a spritz of your favourite perfume, it will make you feel more comfortable
and allow you to be yourself.
6) Hair
For an interview, the same goes for hair as it did for make up: put in subtle effort. Make sure that you look well-polished and professional. I wore my hair in a tight bun for the interview with a side fringe, but there is no hard and fast rule. Feel free to wear your hair up or down but pay attention to keeping it looking very neat and in place.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you get your dream job or bank this knowledge for a future interview.
All the best,
Jen xxx
6) Hair
For an interview, the same goes for hair as it did for make up: put in subtle effort. Make sure that you look well-polished and professional. I wore my hair in a tight bun for the interview with a side fringe, but there is no hard and fast rule. Feel free to wear your hair up or down but pay attention to keeping it looking very neat and in place.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you get your dream job or bank this knowledge for a future interview.
All the best,
Jen xxx
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