If you think your chipped nail polish or slightly wrinkled shirt won’t matter all that much when it comes to meeting with employers, you’re terribly mistaken. In fact, hiring managers may even be judging you based on how hip your hairstyle is.
Obviously your skills and talents play a huge role in whether or not you’ll impress the right people and land the job you want, but your appearance holds a significant amount of weight in hiring decisions, too. Think about it: You’re an employer interviewing for a position—any position at all—and you met with two candidates with the same qualifications. One applicant shows up in sneakers and a T-shirt and the other looks polished in a collared shirt and dress pants. Which one would you hire? It’s a no-brainer.
Even if you have years of experience and would be perfect for a job, the coffee stain on your shirt conveys that you’re unorganized and sloppy. And wearing street clothes to an interview gives off the impression that you don’t care enough about the job to put forth any effort. Even an updated haircut shows employers that you’re in-the-know and innovative.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks. Invest in classic pieces that never go out of style, like a black pencil skirt, a string of pearls or a navy blazer. Remember, when you look good, you feel good. And when it comes to interviews, a strong sense of self-confidence is worth way more than a fancy pair of shoes or leather briefcase. Take the time to give your image an update—even if your job doesn’t require you to dress up—and make sure your look still represents who you are, both personally and professionally.
- Check out more job interview tips here, and start your job search now.
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