Ace Your Interview with the Right Outfit
At Mulberrys Garment Care, we’ve seen a ton of the same popular job advice that you have, which says to dress for the job you want rather than the one you have — but what if you are currently unemployed? Many job seekers are also told that their interview attire should follow a specific uniform of business attire that includes suits, ties, and shined shoes – even if that’s not really the proper attire for the job you are seeking. With conflicting advice about jobs you want, making a good first impression, and impressing interviewers, it can be hard to know exactly what you should be wearing to a job interview.
Mulberrys Garment Care has been offering dry cleaning services to Minneapolis and surrounding areas since 2008. This has given us a lot of time to see exactly what people are actually wearing to their successful job interviews as we offer our dry cleaning services to a variety of clients. Here are the top two “rules” that we’ve seen job seekers relying on throughout recent years to ace their interviews:
Industry Specific Attire
Gone are the days in which a suit was appropriate for every formal occasion. With the rise of jobs in industries, which rely more on technical skills and ability, rather than regular interaction with clients and business partners, the old advice to always wear a suit is becoming outdated. While you probably can’t go wrong with a well-tailored, dry cleaned suit for a business interview, most companies would rather see their potential employees looking like someone who knows the job.
This means that you’ll have to spend some time researching the company, learning exactly what duties would be required for the position you are interviewing for, and getting a feel for what the company’s employees look like. You should always dress a step or two above what your daily wear will be, but try to aim for something that makes you look like the right person for the job.
For example, if you’ll be working in a manufacturing position that requires steel-toed boots of all employees, you can still show up in dress shoes; just make sure that they aren’t open toed. However, if you’re applying for a job as a personal stylist with a department store, it’s important to look as fashionable as possible; in this case, open-toed shoes may be a great idea, especially if they are currently a fashionable choice for celebrities and Hollywood stylists.
When in Doubt, Follow These Two Words
Sometimes it can be difficult to balance industry specific with appropriate. There are some industries that walk the line between fashionable and executive, and others that would require you to wear a company-issued uniform every day should you be hired. In those cases, what should you choose for the interview?
Most job seekers choose to err on the side of overdressed in these cases, because being seen as too earnest is far better than being seen as not caring. When in doubt, job seekers should always follow these two rules: clean and tailored. Whether you are wearing a three-piece power suit, or business casual, if your clothes have been perfectly dry cleaned, and fit your body properly, you will look polished and confident. With the right attitude and bearing, it’s easy for interviewers to overlook any slight gaffs you may make in wardrobe choices.
Many business wardrobe items can be delicate to wash, which is why it’s a great idea to have a specific go-to outfit that you can easily have dry cleaned ahead of time, and ready to go at a moment’s notice. If you’re in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan, St. Louis Park, or Edina, Mulberrys dry cleaning services can help you stay ready to ace your next interview and land the perfect job.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2014/01/27/8-tips-to-dress-for-interview-success/
http://www.careerealism.com/how-select-interview-outfit/