Interview fashion advice from celebrity stylist, Nicky Hambleton-Jones
We all know that first impressions are the most important, and that's no different for an interview. The moment you walk through the door can often set the tone for the entire meeting.
A smile helps, and while body language is very important, you can't underestimate the impact of the way you dress upon how the interviewer sees you. Knowing how to present yourself can make all the difference.
Don't assume that dressing to impress means laying on the works. Dressing well for an interview is all about dressing appropriately.
Think about how you would like your prospective employer to see you. A suit isn't necessarily a fool proof plan, as celebrity stylist Nicky Hambleton Jones points out:
"Not everyone works in a bank, so try and find out what the dress code is in the workplace where you'll be having your interview."
As long as you can do it without getting arrested, Nicky suggests standing outside the office to see what other people are wearing; dress to fit in.
Jobseekers in the UK are prepared to spend a whopping £75 to spruce up for a job interview according to recent research for the Department for Work and Pensions. That said, you don't need to spend a fortune to look smart.
Nicky says:
"You can look great without needing to splash out on designer labels. At a junior level, no-one is expecting you to wear Savile Row tailored suits!"
Make use of what's already in your wardrobe. Most people already have a pair of black trousers, which she recommends you smarten up with a nice colourful blouse or shirt. This can be a really inexpensive way to both look good and feel comfortable in your interview.
Don't go over board. Being bold will make you memorable, and a bright coloured tie or shoes can be just the thing to keep you in the interviewer's memory, but make sure it's within limits.
You want to be remembered as confident and employable, not with horror. You may have great legs, but this is not the moment to display them; short skirts are out when it comes to interviews. Women who are used to wearing a lot of make up should consider toning it down for an interview. Similarly men should hold back on excessive amounts of hair gel.
Substance also counts. Looking good is key but you'll need the confidence to carry it off. Confidence comes with knowing your game.
Wasim Qureshi, a personal adviser at Jobcentre Plus says:
"Spending time perfecting your appearance helps to boost your confidence and make a good first impression at an interview. But it's just as important to research the role and prepare how to sell your skills and experience.
"Spend some time looking at the company's website and think about what you can offer them. It's also helpful to think through some possible questions and how you would answer them."
Going in to an interview with examples up your sleeve of past experiences, and how they could help you in this job will help you feel more confident. Check out reed.co.uk's career tools and www.direct.gov.uk/backtowork to help you think more about the questions you might be asked and how to sell your skills and experience.
Dressed appropriately and armed with knowledge of both the company and your selling points, you'll be primed to shine.
Even with all this in hand, a final tip from Nicky is to wear natural fabrics. However confident we are, interviews can be nerve wracking experiences and when the spot light is on we are all prone to sweat more and feel our faces glow. Reduce the stress by wearing natural fabrics which are cool and comfortable - reducing the chance of sweat patches will mean one less thing to worry about!
