Clothes Maketh the Man

First impressions count, and although it may seem superficial, the way an interview candidate dresses has a huge impact on whether or not a prospective employer will take them seriously. The obvious route would be to go for the standard two piece suit, with a shirt and tie, but if worn incorrectly, this could be as much to your detriment as turning up in ripped jeans can be.

Dressing for an Interview

The most important thing when dressing for an interview, or for any other occasion, is to make sure that you are comfortable in your clothes. Don’t take this literally of course, as pyjamas are very rarely suitable for interview situations! What we mean is, that the way you dress should reflect you as a person. If you never wear a suit in your everyday life, putting one on for an interview might make you feel awkward and fumbly, which your interviewer will catch up on at once. Your clothes must allow you to move freely and fit you well.

The next most important thing, is to make sure you know your audience. If you turn up for an interview in a smart shirt and jeans to be confronted by a panel of people who look like they grew up on Savile Row, then you can feel like you’re already fighting a losing battle. Likewise, turning up in a three piece suit and dicky-bow to an interview at a design agency populated with people in distressed denim will make you stick out like a sore thumb. Do your research and try to gauge what the office dress code is. Dressing appropriately will show the company that you are serious about yourself and your work.

What to Wear

As we’ve explained, exactly what to wear depends completely on you and the job you’re applying for. One thing we would extol the virtue of, however, is the plain white shirt. This is the Swiss army knife of any man’s wardrobe, the male equivalent of the little black dress, ready to be dressed up or down for whatever the occasion calls for. Because of this, you might find that they’re worn a lot more than other items of clothing, giving them much more opportunity to pick up stains. Additionally, the very whiteness of the shirt makes these stains far more obvious than they might be on a coloured or patterned shirt.

This may make it seem like the lifespan of these shirts is slightly shorter than you’d like it to be, but this doesn’t have to be the case. As soon as you notice a stain, try and wash it out (from the back) with some warm water. Don’t scrub it as this can cause the stain to spread. Then use some Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White on the affected area, gently massaging it in and leaving it to work for the allotted time. Now simply wash the garment as you normally would with a scoop of Vanish along with your detergent. This will not only ensure that the stain disappears, but it takes care of the rest of the shirt and sweat stains, leaving the garment dazzlingly white.

Finally…

Iron it.

We’re stating the obvious, but this can make all the difference.

When you’re confident in what you’re wearing, you automatically give off an air of confidence. So get in there, and get the job you deserve!