What should I wear for the interview?

The Dress Code for an Interview is a something millions of people think about on some level while looking for a job. They need to know how to look classy with clothes but they don’t want to overdress and stick out for the wrong reasons.

The bad news is that there are few cut-and-dried answers. As the saying goes, there’s no accounting for taste, and each interviewer has his unique sense of what’s appropriate interview attire. The good news? Deciding what to wear isn’t as difficult as you might think.

There is no need to say how important it is to make a good first impression on the interviewers, and the extent to which our dress code is going to affect it. The next words are going to help you with your interview preparation.

Interview Dress Code for Ladies/Women

In India, women are often confused when it comes to dressing for an interview. The reason is they could not decide whether to opt for the western outfits or the traditional Indian formals. And since most of the companies hiring in India allow both of them. So it is suggested to choose that style of dressing, in which you feel comfortable.

If you go for Indian formals, use plain cotton sarees or Salwar Kameez with plain dupatta. Avoid low-cut necklines. Prefer light pastel shades. Don’t use very colourful clothes.

# When choosing western formals, use plain light coloured blouse with formal trouser or skirt of conservative length, up to the knee. Prefer dark shades for the trouser. In winters, a blazer or conservative suit can be used.

# Avoid too much make-up and use simple jewellery.

# Use low heels so that you feel comfortable.

# Always wear a suit with a jacket; no dresses

# Shoes with conservative heels

# Conservative hosiery at or near skin colour (and no runs!)

# No purses, small or large; carry a briefcase instead

# If you wear nail polish (not required), use clear or a conservative colour

# Minimal use of makeup (it should not be too noticeable)

# No more than one ring on each hand

# One set of earrings only

Interview Dress Code for Men

Usually, Men have less collection as compare to Ladies but at the judgement day (Interview Day) you have to maintain yourself like a Bride (not a Groom).

# Men can wear a plain light coloured formal shirt and a tie. Trouser should be plain and of dark shade. In winters, wear a conservative suit or blazer of solid colour. If you don’t already own a suit, we recommend wearing your wedding suit (as long as it still fits!) This way, you can save money whilst still looking smart.

# The tie should be simple, conservative and not too flashy. It should match the colour of the shirt or suit.

# Shirt should be tucked-in, and shoes should be well polished.

# Hair should be neat and clean.

# Avoid jeans and T-shirts.

# Necktie should be silk with a conservative pattern

# Dark shoes (black lace-ups are best)

# Dark socks (black is best)

# Get a haircut; short hair always fares best in interviews

# No beards (unless you are interviewing for a job as a lumberjack!)

# Mustaches are a possible negative, but if you must, make sure it is neat & trimmed

# No rings other than wedding ring or college ring

# No earrings (if you normally wear one, take it out)

# The four most commonly used tie knots are the four-in-hand knot, the half-Windsor knot, the Windsor knot and the Pratt knot. All of them are suitable to wear to job interviews. However, a larger and more symmetric tie knot is preferred. A larger tie knot can give you a more confident look while a symmetric one looks elegant. As the four-in-hand is a small and asymmetric tie knot, it is less preferred.

# Choose a tie knot that fits the collar opening of the shirt. For example, a small tie knot like the four-in-hand suits shirts with a narrow collar opening, while a large tie knot like the Windsor suits shirts with a wide collar opening.

# How to tie a Windsor Knot?

1. In the beginning, the wide end of the tie should be on your right side and the other end should be on your left side.

2. Cross the wide end over the other end. Now three regions are formed (Left, Right and Center).

3. Bring the wide end under the narrow end to the Center region.

4. Bring the wide end over to the Right region.

5. Bring the wide end underneath the narrow end from Right to Left.

6. Bring the wide end up to the Center region.

7. Bring the wide end under the knot from Center to Right.

8. Bring the wide end over the front to the Left region.

9. Bring the wide end under the narrow part from Left to Center.

10. Bring the wide end down and pass the loop in front. Ensure that the knot is tightened.

11. Use one hand to pull the narrow end down gently and use the other hand to move the knot up until it reaches the centre of the collar.

Other Things You should take Care of

# Use comfortable cotton clothes.

# Get your clothes cleaned and ready a day before the interview.

# Before going for an interview, ensure that you have all the required clothes.

# The nails and teeth should be neat and clean.

# Hair should not be too long.

# Shoes should be polished. If you’re looking to buy a new one, check waldlaufer shoes or other similar brands.

# Take care of your body-odour. Use a deodorant after taking bath.

# Never wear sneakers, noisy shoes, or very high heels for an interview.

# Never bring chewing-gum, coffee, soda, iPod etc. to the interview.

# Wear a smile on the face.

References:
The Times of India
The Wall Street
Other Articles

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