What is the importance of appearance on a job interview?

Often people do all the appropriate work to land an interview which will further their career. They work on a perfect resume and a great attention-grabbing cover letter. They research interviewing techniques, ask someone to coach them and pre-plan great questions and answers but then they risk failure by not doing the practical preparation work which can mean success or failure.

Here are some tips and some practical information to ensure your preparation is complete.

First, consider your appearance – it really matters. On the interview day, it’s the initial impression a candidate for a job gives the interviewer.

Think about the clothes you’ll wear. What colors suit you? Do you know? Many people – men and women – don’t know what colors suit their skin tone. If you have to wear a navy suit and navy isn’t your color, you can choose a shirt or blouse which is your color to make the outfit more flattering. How do you tell? With your face bare and natural – no additions – hold a range colors up to the side of your head – one at a time. Do some colors drain the natural color from your face? Do others make you look healthy and well? Go with what makes you look your best. Ask advice from your friends “which color makes me look good?”

What style of clothes is appropriate? Mostly it will be formal, professional clothes that you wear for an interview but there are exceptions. I know one young guy, R, who went for an interview for the job of a manager in the music industry. When he arrived in his business suit and tie, everyone thought he had come to repair the photocopier! His prospective boss who interviewed him looked like a tramp compared to R but it’s always better to be over-dressed that under-dressed. It shows you have the right attitude – respect for the interviewer and the interview process. If you normally wear a stud in your nose or eyebrow, take it out… unless you know for sure that the person who will be interviewing you has face piercing.

Once you’ve decided what to wear, be sure everything is clean and pressed and ready to be put on.

Here are some other pointers for preparation for interviews you’ll want to consider.

The technology and language at your disposal can help or hinder you in finding your dream employment. Before you contact any recruitment consultants, consider your voice mail message. What does it say about you?

Sometimes interviewers are put off and don’t contact an applicant because of the voice mail message or the voice they hear when they call to ask a candidate to attend an interview. If it’s a cute or fun voice mail message or in Mickey Mouse’s voice – beware. One time I heard.

“Hi, we’re either having a party and can’t hear the phone or we can’t be bothered answering right now so just leave us a message”.

I didn’t leave a message and I crossed the person off the list.

For more great tips on interviews and to avoid more pitfalls, take a look at “Preparing for Your Interview“

You’ll find “Careless words can lose you the job” and other “must have” information on the importance of appearance on a job interview.