In this post, I would like to cover a fashion related topic that I hope will assist a majority of my blog readers. totaljobs (the largest jobs site in the UK) got in touch to sponsor a post, and asked if I could write about how to dress when going to an interview. It is offering to give away £150 to spend at Selfridges to one lucky reader of my blog.
At some point in your life, there is a very high probability that you will be attending interviews in order to secure a job. Since the economy went down hill, the workforce has become an employer’s market. You need to have as many things working in your favour as possible. A big factor in deciding whether you are right for the job has a lot to do with your general attitude, the answers you give to interview questions, your behaviour and how you look. It is crucial that you ensure you look every bit the part of the position you are going for as your appearance can very easily make or break your chances. Your image will be an influence in the employer decided whether or not you fit the company image.
This guide is for anyone looking to work in an office. Here is a list of what you need:
Men
* A suit in grey, black or navy
* A light coloured formal shirt (white is always best), made of 100% cotton
* A dark tie
* Simple pair of socks, again in grey, black or navy (definitely avoid white)
* Formal black shoes with laces
The suits (both ZARA) in the images shown above are good examples of what to look for but of course wear them with a light coloured formal shirt and a tie.
Women
* a suit in grey, black or navy – either with trousers or skirt
* a light coloured formal shirt (white is always best), made of 100% cotton
* a simple plain black, grey or navy pair of court shoes (closed toe) or flats
The suits (Banana Republic and ASOS) shown in these images give you a good idea of the kind of looks to emulate but wear with a light colour shirt and court shoes or flats.
Ensure that the suit jacket you are wearing is a good fit. The shoulders of the jacket should not be bending over your shoulder – if they are then the jacket is simply too big. The sleeves should not be covering any part of your hands. Shoes should be in a very good condition (not battered), clean and well polished. Ensure your shirt is clean and has not been worn since you last washed it.
Do iron your shirts and suit. Everything about your appearance says something about you. A suit full of creases is not a good look and indicates you are too lazy to iron. Women should ensure their skirts are around knee length and not much shorter. Keep jewellery to a minimum. Men should ensure they are not wearing piercings – I realise some men may feel this is unfair but many employers do not like piercings, and you need everything going in your favour.
The #JobAcademy is Totaljobs’ new reality show – taking five young people who are struggling to find work, and transforming them into lean mean job seeking machines. A host of career experts show the candidates how to dress for interviews, build the confidence to network, write flawless CV’s and focus on bagging a dream job.
You can watch 1st episode here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2V_JZuP75Y
Win £150 in Selfridges vouchers. Here is the competition. All you have to do is:
1. Create a blog post detailing your suggested interview outfit for a job position (any) of your choice, and explain why you have chosen those particular items. You can grab images from other sites to create an outfit.
2. Include at least one link to the #JobAcademy portal
3. Submit your entry using the widget below.
The competition will end on Sunday 17th of November at 12pm (GMT) and the winner of £150 Selfridges vouchers will be chosen by me. Full terms and conditions can be seen by clicking here. Good luck everyone!
Rubi A
Great competition, I’ve entered. I actually went on an interview skills workshop the other day, and we talked a little about how your appearance will affect if you get the job. First impressions are the some of the most important.