Job recruiters are becoming increasingly popular in recent years for a number of reasons. Sometimes a company simply doesn’t have an HR department large enough to support interviewing hundreds of candidates for just a few jobs, and other times it is simply more cost effective to hire a recruitment agency that has the marketing already in place to seek out the best candidates and do the vetting prior to submission of applications.
A good recruiter will often hold a master of science in law from a renowned school such as Champlain College with a specialty in employment and labor law. With their expertise, they know how to guide applicants through the process while seeing to it that no one is discriminated against. They should warn applicants of the importance of dressing well for that all-important first interview with some of the following advice.
Dress Professionally According to the Position You Are Applying For
This is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions a job applicant will need to make. You don’t want to under dress but you don’t want to over dress either. For example, if you are applying for a job as an airline mechanic you certainly wouldn’t want to arrive for that first interview in an Armani suit but on the other hand, if you are applying for a position as a Chief Financial Officer you wouldn’t want to go dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.
Ask Your Recruiter What to Wear
If you are undecided what type of apparel to wear for an interview, ask your recruiter! While it’s unlikely you’ll ever want to wear jeans and a T-shirt to a job interview, even if it’s not for that CFO position, it’s not impossible. Lately, I’ve had a few friends apply for positions at Netflix and they were specifically told to wear jeans and a T-shirt for their interviews.
If Your Interview is for a Job in Fashion/Retail
On the other hand, if the job you’re applying for is in fashion or retail, you’re going to want to do a little research into the type of fashion they promote/sell. When I applied for my part time retail job, I was instructed to wear something that “represents your idea of fashion” to my interview. Since the job requires visual styling and selling fashion, they wanted an idea of my style and how I put looks together. They also needed to know if my vision of fashion went well with theirs.
Chances are, if it’s a store you already shop at and love, you have some of their stuff in your closet. Wear something of their design, but still make sure it’s on the higher/classier end and that you accessorize/style it well. If you don’t own anything of theirs, wear something that you feel is similar to their quality and design.
Grooming Is of Utmost Importance
It doesn’t take a masters degree to understand the importance of showing up for that interview well groomed. The morning of the interview you should take a shower, wash and groom your hair, put on deodorant but abstain from heavy scents such as after-shave or perfume/cologne. Some interviewers will have an allergic reaction to scent and that would certainly not bode well for the outcome of your interview. Don’t forget to brush your teeth, as nothing is worse than bad breath. If you’re a smoker, avoid smoking just prior to meeting with a prospective employer so you don’t smell like an ashtray.
Dress Neatly and Conservatively
It should go without saying, but too many people don’t understand the importance of arriving in a neatly pressed outfit. If you don’t own an iron, buy or borrow one but by all means, crease your shirt sleeves and make sure your attire is wrinkle free. You definitely don’t want to arrive looking as though you’ve slept in your clothes. As to style and color, always avoid being too flashy. Earthy colors, blacks and navy work well so avoid loud colors for the most professional appeal-unless you’re going for a job in a creative or artistic industry. It’s really best to do your research and use your best judgement.
Job recruiting is a highly specialized field and one that should cover everything from how to apply to what you should wear to that first interview. Whether you are a recruiter or a candidate, keep these tips in mind. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a well-dressed job applicant is priceless! It’s that first impression that counts so give it all you’ve got.
