Are you ready for a double scoop of truth? No? Well here it is anyway. We are all human, and unfortunately we judge people from the outside in. Before we even get a chance to see what a super-cool-impressive human you are, we judge the way you look. Which is weird for a society who created the whole ‘do not judge a book by its cover’ thing, right? So, if we are going to be forced to play the game, we are going to win the whole damn thing.
Here is a guide on how dressing like a CEO gets you thinking like one in those interviews.
I am young, fly and professional
Part of creating a professional impression is displaying a professional image in your appearance and presentation. Before heading out for your interview, take a look in the mirror and ask yourself the following:
- For the interviewer: Do I make a good impression? Would I hire the person in the mirror?
- For the job: Based solely on my appearance, do I look like I reflect the company in a positive light?
- For yourself: Do I look like a whole snack?
Outfit be bangin’, I be workin’
For the traditional jobs that have been around for a long time, such as those in the accounting and law fields, you can never go wrong with a formal shirt and tie, or skirt, blazer and formal shoes.
With the upsurge of the digital age, a lot of new and exciting work spaces have been created that allow many employees to express themselves more creatively. For example, in the social media space, a smart-casual look will suffice. So chino pants, a white shirt and a nice pair of sneakers would be considered smart casual.
My life is not a Cardi B music video
Dress appropriately for the industry you’re in. Every company has a dress code; for some it’s casual, while others are semi-formal and others formal. Pro tip: give the HR person you’re dealing with a call, and ask what’s the sitch with the dress code for your interview.
Make sure everything you wear fits. If it’s too big, you’ll look sloppy; if it’s too small, you’ll look tacky.
Everything is better in moderation
Anything with a smell that overpowers everything else isn’t good! Just one spritz of perfume or one dab of aftershave will do.
Carry some gum in your bag to chew on before the interview for fresh breath.
If you have lots of piercings, try to remove them (earrings only is a good rule), and try to cover your tattoos. And the less you accessorise, the better.
Preparation is err’thing
Make sure you’ve washed and ironed your outfit way in advance. If your clothes are dry clean only, take them to the cleaners before the interview.
Make sure everything fits correctly the night before.
Also be sure to polish your shoes the night before.
Your professional look is there to make sure that you give off those professional vibes. The rest is up to you. We believe in you!
