First impressions last forever. They're the reason that real estate agents tout the importance of a home's curb appeal and why women apply makeup before a night out with friends. First impressions and how you dress in your job interview can make all the difference in the eyes of the hiring manager. 80% of hiring decisions are made within two minutes of the start of your job interview - so you'd better make your first impression count.
My Story
Johnny, an applicant for a call center position, arrived to my office for his interview. He had a stellar resume and great experience; I was looking forward to meeting him and he was my top candidate after the phone screen. But to my surprise, Johnny arrived to the interview in wrinkled pants and shirt with a mustard stain, unshaven, and bed head. In under just 30 seconds, Johnny went from my top candidate to out of consideration.
Your first impression lasts forever in the eyes of the hiring manager. While Johnny looked qualified on paper, I started to question things like his professionalism, maturity, and his ability to work for the very strict manager he would be reporting to. Johnny's lack of professional dress kept him from receiving a job offer.
Here's what to do so that you don't become a Johnny.
- Select apparel & accessories that do not detract from your professional image. Leave the strong cologne, perfume and flashy, large jewelry at home. The interviewer's attention should be focused on what you say and your qualifications.
- Make sure your hair is clean, neat and professionally styled. Avoid a style that covers over more than your forehead or one that you have to brush back.
- Remove facial and body piercings other than earring for interviews. Visible tattoos should be covered to avoid distraction.
- Sweatpants and flip-flops are best left for the beach and gym. If you are interviewing in a professional environment, at minimum wear slacks, dress shoes and a nice shirt or blouse. in some cases wearing nice jeans (no holes, no dirt) to an interview is ok. But if you have any doubts, play it safe and wear dress pants. T-shirts, sweatpants and flip flops are not acceptable.
- Apparel should be clean, neatly pressed and fit well.
When interviewing for a job, it's important to not only consider your own personal style but the work environment in where you are applying. Choose professional apparel that is appropriate for the work environment -- suits for a financial institution or slacks and polo shirt for a blue-collar atmosphere. When in doubt, ask your hiring manager prior to the interview what the workplace dress code is so you can plan appropriately.
I have been job searching here in NY. I have been using snagajob and there are many so called “now hiring” jobs available that I see, but I never receive a reply. I have called a few to follow up with and they all say they are not hiring. I believe I am doing everything correctly but just no bites. If anyone is having these same problems please let me know.
Thank you,
K
try giving them a call or coming into the business to check up on your application. Your chances are better if you take the initiative in checking in and showing interest.
What most people should do is call once a week and stop in once a week during the times of the day the places are least busy. Show a lot of intrest and the job is sure to be yours.
I have five years experience in customer servise . i have been putting in aplications in all over town.i have had a few interviews and im still not being hired. i have a midametor on my record and i have held a job for four years after the fact i got the retail fraud.the company i was with left town.i have been looking for a job since.
Hi Shawna, these tips are for job seekers with a felony, but you may find them helpful: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/5-tips-for-job-searching-with-felony/
Sincerely,
Amy
I used this site and put in 4 or 5 applications so far, but I was wondering will it be bad to wear long shorts to an interview? The weather in my town is kinda hot.
Thanks
Hi Steven, interviews are a limited window of time to show employers you take their time and this opportunity seriously, so show them you mean business. Find some breathable black slacks to wear to interviews, and hope that the company either works in AC or embraces a more casual dress code after employment. But ’til you know that, make sure you put your best foot forward!
Hi, i have an interview coming up and i was just wondering if it would be okay to wear a pair of blue jeans(no holes) with a blouse. Im a teenager and im just going to an interview for a job at a grocery store.
Hi Hailey, congrats on your interview! Most grocery stores require dark dress pants or khaki’s so that would be a safer bet than jeans. Thanks for asking, and let us know how it goes!
Hey. I’m 17 looking for my first job. I’d take a job anywhere honestly so I’ve been applying everywhere all over town. Any tips on getting an interview and what I should wear to it?
Hi Angelica! If you aren’t getting interviews, check out this advice: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/why-am-i-not-getting-interviews/
Once you do land one, dress professionally! Here are our tips for affordable interview clothes – http://www.snagajob.com/resources/affordable-interview-clothes/
Good luck!
I am super nervous for my inteview that a job agency hooked me up with, which is at a call center job. I really hope I kick ass @ the interview.
I recently had an interview @ the Nationwide childrens Hospital for a lousy Cafeteria job and they gave me a hard time @ the interview, which I found ridiculous. Just for 8 bucks an hour. Now that is pathetic, and on top of that it was two different interviews, with two different people for this wage job.
Ugh!~ so i’ve been patiently waiting for a call, no luck it’s been a week, and I actually felt that I was “over qualified” for this job. Anyhow, it’s sad how people like I are struggling to find a decent paying job with so much talent and qualifications, and experience yet no degree. Sucks I know. But I have to take it with a pinch of salt, like the rest of us.
I just hope I get that call center job that starts at 12 an hr. wish me luck!!~
Good luck on the interview!! Here are some tips for you: http://www.snagajob.com/resources/interview-tips/. Please let me know how it goes
.
I know exactly what you mean!! (Heres my sob story lol) I’ve been job searching since December last year. Actively everyday and without a stop or break. Around my birthday (birthday’s in May) I’d applied to TONS of places literally, but as soon as I finish the application, I get an email saying no. Or in some cases, the application process would stop dead in its tracks and tell me NO, but thank you. One place that I applie to (not through here) told me because I have to catch the bus they refuse to hire me. How messed up is that?? They even said because I refused to work 24/7 plus holidays I was a BIG NO. I did apply though a few jobs here but because of being frustrated and angry that I’m being told no without a good enough reason (than I dunno). I sort of gave up. Bad move. I applied to a local restaurant around that same time in May. They sent an email saying they wanted to interview me, this was mid- to late-June. But because I missed it they also told me no
. However, that same restaurant sent another email saying they wanted to interview me again and this Thursday too!! I’m happy that they gave me a second chance so to speak and I hope that maybe this time I’ll get a job. If not, I found a few more to apply to in the mean time. It’s frustrating and daunting and these employers have lost their minds. One local University said they would never hire me because I don’t have professional references. A lot of places have turned me down because I don’t have a degree. Went all 4 years to college but had to drop out my senior year because I couldn’t afford to go, and I lost all my financial aid >_<.
But don't give up ok!! Take a break and find something to preoccupy you until you can get the mental strength to job search again. Plus put your resume everywhere on the net and as often as you can
. I even put mine on my blog ^_^. Don't worry ok, we're all in the same leaky boat, just use some duct tape and paddle on ok?!
I wish you luck in your endeavors!! (and if you ever need a laugh visit my website ok itzmzbunny.com)
Hi Karen,I have to agree with you…is all the same.
Your spelling stinks and you may need to proof read your stuff before you send it, I looked at a resume I had been sending for a while and the miss spellings were awful. Spell Check is not reliable, check ya self befoe ya reck ya self.
Shorty
Shawna – If you filled out applications with the many mistakes in spelling as shown in your comments, it could well be some of your problem!!
yes, dont wear shorts and no flip flops or sweats, sweat it out, they look at stuff like that. good luck
it doesnt matter what type of job you are going for, the process is all the same and nice and neat jeans with a nice Blouse should be okay.