Well Suited for the Interview
Did you know that an interviewer can make up to 13 assumptions about you? And that is before you open your mouth! Everything from swagger, to smile, and of course, your clothes, will get a rating by the interviewer opposite.
The good news is, getting the clothing part down is easy. There is actually what I like to call a standard ‘interview outfit’, which is as follows:
Navy Suit – Any basic coloured suit will work equally well. Any suit that falls into this category is classic, classy, and something you should own anyway. As with all suits, the key on this is fit. It should be slim and tailored to your unique body.
White Shirt –You can also go with something along the lines of a light blue or lilac (light solid colour) if it matches the suit and tie, but white is just easier. One thing to avoid at an interview is contrasting collars/cuffs. These are status symbols, and at the time of your interview, you have no status in the company.
Slim Tie –You can have a bit more fun with the tie choice if you are comfortable with it. Somewhere in your outfit, you want to wear something memorable, so when they recall you later, it can be something like ‘ . . . oh, that smart guy with the pink tie . . .’. Cufflinks are a no (too flashy), you can however consider a tie bar.
Overall, the interview suit is almost the same as your first or basic suit outfit. It does not have to be flashy or expensive, it just needs to look good. This may seem a bit lackluster, but given the pressure of an interview, the last thing you want is to worry about is what you are going to wear!
If you want a photo guide on this, check out the one I put together at Indochino.com:
http://www.indochino.com/stylebook/suit_for_interview.php
Kyle Vucko Chief Executive Officer Indochino.com
