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Remember that Tide-to-Go
commercial, the one where an interview
candidate tries to explain why he’s the best choice for the job. But the
interviewer is so distracted by a stain on the man’s shirt that he imagines the
stain talking to him? The message is obvious: One tiny detail can have a big
impact when it comes to getting the job. And what you wear has a lot to do with
it.
Although
job-related skills and experience rank high in importance in whether or not you
land the position, during the initial hiring process they have less power than
most of us think. That’s because the first thing we notice about someone is
their appearance, and more specifically, the way they are dressed.
According to
a study by Frank Bernieri, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at
Oregon State University, within the first 10 seconds of meeting your
interviewer–otherwise known as the meet-and-greet–that person has decided
whether or not you’re right for the job. Those who come across as polished and
pulled together are quite simply more likely to be hired than those who are
seen as putting in less effort.
According to
Bernieri, dressing the wrong way is equivalent to the worst social faux pas:
“like picking your nose during an interview.” And with last month’s
unemployment rate for women age 20 and older at 7.9%–the latest data available
from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics–the competition alone should provide
impetus to ace your interview.
Dressing 101
When it comes to dressing for an interview, the consensus is that conservative is best. “Dressing conservatively means you care on a couple of different dimensions,” notes Bernieri. “One, you’re making an effort; two, you’re making an effort not to offend; three you’re polite and respectful.”
When it comes to dressing for an interview, the consensus is that conservative is best. “Dressing conservatively means you care on a couple of different dimensions,” notes Bernieri. “One, you’re making an effort; two, you’re making an effort not to offend; three you’re polite and respectful.”
The most
common mistake among candidates is not paying attention to the details, says
Kim Zoller, founder and president of Image Dynamics, which advises companies
like Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton on image and communication skills. Ill-fitting
or too-tight clothes and casual ensembles make you look lazy or sloppy. “If
you’re not dressed well, you can say all the right things … but you won’t get
the job when you’re being compared with a lot of other capable people who are
dressed better,” explains Zoller.
Zoller, who
used to work at a staffing agency, started her business because “I saw women
coming in to this agency, and they had great résumés, but they weren’t getting
jobs because they didn’t know how to dress.”
She noted
clients who would go to interviews showing cleavage–a huge no-no–or wearing
see-through garments. One woman wore fishnet stockings. “It’s those silly
details that get in the way [of getting the job],” she says.
When you’re
thinking about what to wear, Zoller advises choosing an outfit that is
customary to your industry and taking it up a notch. For conservative
businesses, for example, you should wear a matching skirt or pantsuit with
pantyhose–carry an extra pair on hand in case they run–and closed-toe shoes. In
an Internet or public relations firm, consider dressing a little trendier:
sling-back heels, a button-down shirt and a pair of slacks.
No matter
the industry, however, sexy should always be avoided. “If you are wearing a
blouse, absolutely no cleavage, and if there is any gap between the buttons,
put on a shell underneath,” Zoller advises.
Multiple
accessories and bright colors should be reserved for an evening out with
friends. The idea is to give the interviewer the impression that you are already
part of their company.
That’s not
to say you have to break the bank to ace the interview. Stores likeAnn Taylor Loft and T.J. Maxx offer ensembles at
reasonable prices. “I walked into T.J. Maxx the other day and they had a
beautiful Theory suit for a quarter of the [retail] price,” notes Zoller.
The Reasoning Behind
the Rules
Proper attire for an interview will create a halo effect, meaning your interviewer will see you in a positive light and forgive any minor gaffes you may make.
Proper attire for an interview will create a halo effect, meaning your interviewer will see you in a positive light and forgive any minor gaffes you may make.
The
phenomenon was first studied in the early 1900s by psychologist E.L. Thorndike,
who noticed that when an individual is found to possess one desirable trait,
that individual is assumed to have many other desirable traits too. “We would
like to think that we’d make decisions based on rational evidence,” says
Bernieri. “The truth is, it’s about how well they dress.”
In fact,
says Zoller, other factors that affect hiring, such as being prepared for the
interview, researching the company and following up after the meeting, are all
trumped by appearance. “Dressing is something you can control, and people
realize that.”
And you’re
sabotaging yourself if you choose to go against the grain. Employers have every
right to discriminate against those who are dressed in a less professional
manner, says James McDonald Jr., a partner at the Irvine, Calif., offices of
labor and employment law firm Fisher & Phillips. “An employer would be
justified in refusing to hire an [individual] who it deemed inappropriately
dressed for work,” he explains.
“Although it
may not seem fair, it isn’t worth it to dress differently if you have a goal in
mind,” says Zoller. “It takes time to make up for a bad first impression, and
in an interview you don’t have that opportunity because it goes by so quickly.”
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