Dressing for an Interview-women

Dressing for an Interview

I have seen my fair share of candidates in jeans and T-shirts and casual clothes appearing for interviews. I’ve had fresh out of college guys and gals asking if it is really so important to dress formally for the interview. So here’s my take on this. Interview is an opportunity for both the parties to ‘check each other out’. Just as you form an impression about the company when you walk in through the doors for the interview, the company (or it’s representatives) form an opinion about you when you walk in through the door for the interview.

Why not dress properly and show that you actually care about getting the job. If you don’t have a formal wardrobe yet, since you are fresh out of college, this is a good time to start getting yourself one – you are starting on the path of employment after all!
So here’s what works and what doesn’t for an interview:

For women
Western formals
Dos
Trousers with a crisp cotton or silk blouse
Skirt (knee length or longer) with a crisp cotton or silk blouse
Colours should be subdued and not too loud
Coordinate your outfit
Formal shoes with a slight heel
Light make up (compact, lipstick, eyeliner)
Light jewellery
Light nail paint or clear nail paint
A leather purse or portfolio holder

Don’ts
Short skirts
Tight pants
See through tops
Loud colours or patterns
Dark nail paint
Loud or too much make up

Indian ethnic dress
Do’s
Churidar or a Punjabi suit
Top coming to mid thigh or knees
Saree
Chappals or open toe sandals
Light make up (compact, lipstick, eyeliner)
Light jewellery
Light nail paint or clear nail paint
A leather purse or portfolio holder

Don’ts
Don’t wear see through tops or saree blouses
Don’t wear low neck or low back saree blouses
Too much ‘bling’ or mirror work on the dresses or sarees or chappals/ sandals
Too much or heavy jewellry
Loud colours or patterns
Dark nail paint
Loud or too much make up

While you are at it, you could also pay attention to a few other details such as:
Hair
Keep it neat and simply tied up. Whatever you do, do no have hair falling on your face. If you have flicks or bangs on your forehead, make sure to keep them back with the help of pins.

Long hair
Keep your hair neatly tied up in a pony tail if it is mid length or in a French plait if it is long.

Short Hair
If it is short, make sure to keep it off your face with the help of pins/ clips.

Body hygiene
I’ve seen numerous interviewers who have been turned off by the body odour of the interviewee. Reasons for the BO are many, you are so late for the interview that you don’t have time to squeeze in the shower before you head out.

So here are some do’s and don’ts

Do's
 Bathing and shampooing your hair before you go for the interview will go a long way in keeping you fresh for your interview.
 Perfume – spritz some on before you leave. Also carry a small purse size bottle of spritzer with you. If you have a long wait, this might come in handy.
 Mints – pop in a mint just before you enter the premises. If you have been given numbers for the interview and you know it will soon be your turn, pop one beforehand.
 Keep your palms dry – it’s not very pleasant to shake hands with someone with wet palms