You don't realise what a massive role your job plays in your life until you actually get your first full-time job. I work Monday to Friday from 9-5 and based on my calculations I spend more time with my boss than I do with any other person in my life. One would say that seems quite excessive but think about it – based on my (probably poor but let’s round it up) calculations, I spend about 50+ hours at work (including commute) whilst less than 40 being at home fully awake and functional (excluding naps, kips and my usual comatose-like sleeps). Nevertheless, those 40 hours also include all my thinking & pondering about anything and everything work related. Now the point is – you really, really don’t want your full time job to be a pain in the butt. This leads to one and one thing only – if you’re either looking for your first job or are not particularly happy at your current position and have decided to change your career path – do it right. Give your job choice some thought, jot down your aims and ambitions, brain storm your dreams. And then, get your interview right!
Did you know that it only takes us between one tenth to seven seconds to judge someone? Now what do you think that we notice in that one tenth of a second - someone’s polite behaviour, impeccable English or extensive knowledge of AdSense? No. It will be their personal style and what they’re wearing. Let me give you a few tips on how to nail your interview style-wise.
Learn about the company!
This doesn’t apply just to selecting your dress code, this applies to your whole interview. The most you know about the company pre-interview, the better. In my experience, just about every interview I’ve ever been on and spent some time learning about the company prior to the interview, it went down fab. The ones where I rushed into the room and knew absolute poop about the company were not only awkward and uncomfortable – they were mainly unsuccessful. Once you know a little bit more about the company, have gone through their employee gallery on their website (if they have one), or just generally had a look at what employees in companies like this one wear, you’ll feel more comfortable with the choice of clothing you’re making. Simples.
Dress like a boss!
Now I think it’s needless to say that if you’re going for an interview to be an astronaut, you’re not required to wear a space suit. In fact, wearing a space suit could prove rather counterproductive. The same goes for a nurse, a fire fighter and a plumber. Once someone told me that to be highly regarded at work and to be seen as a striving ambitious individual you should dress for the job role you want to be in, not the one you’re currently in. Doesn’t work in every single industry obviously, but I think there’s more to it than just your every day work attire versus your chance for promotion. When going for an interview, just dress your best. A nice smart two piece with black heels will make you feel (and look) much better than wearing a pair of jeans and flats even if it means you’re well over dressed. Remember, your potential employer will most likely start judging you in less than 7 seconds!
Get the iron out!
You can be wearing a £1,000 suit but unless you iron it, you’ll still look like a tramp. That’s a fact. I am terribly guilty of this – ironing (and washing up) is the bane of my life, I’m not gonna lie. But for this one day when you have your interview, you just get over it, get the iron out and do the dirty job. I mean – comparatively, would you rather iron this shirt or land a job you will be dreading to go to every morning? Yeah, I thought so.
Now the first impression is sorted (style-wise – also don’t forget to at least brush your teeth and hair, ya know, the minimum to make your face presentable if you’re not the primer-foundation-setting-powder-bronzer-blusher-highlighter-another-highlighter sort of gal), don’t forget that your job’s not finished just yet – now the dreadful 7 seconds have passed, you will have at least next 30 minutes to impress your potential employer that you’re not just a pretty face but also a sophisticated mind with the brain of a prodigy.
For more inspiration on style and dress code pop over to the Pertemps website where this recruitment specialist offers your an expert advice on how to dress for this or that specific job interview (plus those adorable paper doll illustrations at the top of this post are also Pertemps creation!).
Did you know that it only takes us between one tenth to seven seconds to judge someone? Now what do you think that we notice in that one tenth of a second - someone’s polite behaviour, impeccable English or extensive knowledge of AdSense? No. It will be their personal style and what they’re wearing. Let me give you a few tips on how to nail your interview style-wise.
Learn about the company!
This doesn’t apply just to selecting your dress code, this applies to your whole interview. The most you know about the company pre-interview, the better. In my experience, just about every interview I’ve ever been on and spent some time learning about the company prior to the interview, it went down fab. The ones where I rushed into the room and knew absolute poop about the company were not only awkward and uncomfortable – they were mainly unsuccessful. Once you know a little bit more about the company, have gone through their employee gallery on their website (if they have one), or just generally had a look at what employees in companies like this one wear, you’ll feel more comfortable with the choice of clothing you’re making. Simples.
Dress like a boss!
Now I think it’s needless to say that if you’re going for an interview to be an astronaut, you’re not required to wear a space suit. In fact, wearing a space suit could prove rather counterproductive. The same goes for a nurse, a fire fighter and a plumber. Once someone told me that to be highly regarded at work and to be seen as a striving ambitious individual you should dress for the job role you want to be in, not the one you’re currently in. Doesn’t work in every single industry obviously, but I think there’s more to it than just your every day work attire versus your chance for promotion. When going for an interview, just dress your best. A nice smart two piece with black heels will make you feel (and look) much better than wearing a pair of jeans and flats even if it means you’re well over dressed. Remember, your potential employer will most likely start judging you in less than 7 seconds!
Get the iron out!
You can be wearing a £1,000 suit but unless you iron it, you’ll still look like a tramp. That’s a fact. I am terribly guilty of this – ironing (and washing up) is the bane of my life, I’m not gonna lie. But for this one day when you have your interview, you just get over it, get the iron out and do the dirty job. I mean – comparatively, would you rather iron this shirt or land a job you will be dreading to go to every morning? Yeah, I thought so.
Now the first impression is sorted (style-wise – also don’t forget to at least brush your teeth and hair, ya know, the minimum to make your face presentable if you’re not the primer-foundation-setting-powder-bronzer-blusher-highlighter-another-highlighter sort of gal), don’t forget that your job’s not finished just yet – now the dreadful 7 seconds have passed, you will have at least next 30 minutes to impress your potential employer that you’re not just a pretty face but also a sophisticated mind with the brain of a prodigy.
For more inspiration on style and dress code pop over to the Pertemps website where this recruitment specialist offers your an expert advice on how to dress for this or that specific job interview (plus those adorable paper doll illustrations at the top of this post are also Pertemps creation!).
What was your most recent interview experience like?
Did you nail it?