How you look matters when you go for a job, school or any interview so don’t think for a second that you will get that job or that scholarship on just your brains.

There is a common saying that goes ‘we eat with our eyes first’, the same goes with our dress code. First impression really does matter even when the job connection is through a mutual friend. Before you even say your greetings, the first thing that your potential employer notices is your dress code.

Ladies, don’t dress like you’re going clubbing when you’re going for a PA job interview, because how you dress will impact how your potential future employer will receive you. You need to dress professionally as though you know what you are doing, even if you partied last night and didn’t have the time to go through the company profile, (not that you should do that), but I know things happen and sometimes we aren’t always prepared for interviews.

How you dress impacts your confidence and in turn impacts your behaviour during the interview. If you are not comfortable with what you are wearing, you will not concentrate on the task at hand and this will not give your potential future employer the confidence that they need in you in order to hire you.

Remember it’s 70% what you say and do and 30% your qualifications. That is why you will find people with a lesser degree than you getting the positions you want and wonder why or how they did it. It’s mainly through self-confidence and the ability to show your potential employer that they really need you and only you.

Gents you don’t have to wear a suit and tie to look professional, the main key is to know which type of job you’re going for, in which field or sector, and dress smart. Pay a casual visit to the organization you want to work for and see how the employees work; it will give you an indication on how to dress, because sometimes we make the mistake of over dressing. And yes, people, there is such a thing as over dressing for a job interview.

For example, if you know you’re going to a non-profit organization, whose sole purpose is to do charity work in the really poor communities, it might not be a good idea for you to rock up in your Hugo Boss suit. That may make the community feel that you want to exploit the resources granted to them.

Ladies don’t make the mistake of wearing revealing clothes for the interview, as that can give your next boss the completely wrong impression of you. If you’re going to wear a shirt, make sure the buttons are not open all the way to between your boobs while you know that underneath you are wearing an animal-print push-up bra. Cover up, look like a church girl if you have to as long as you look professional.

If you know you have nothing professional or semi-casual clothes, ask your friends and family members to lend you some – there’s no shame in borrowing – or go shopping for new items. Always be prepared for your interview. Don’t suffer the trauma later on of kicking yourself because your skirt was way too short or you wore too much make-up.

How do you prepare for an interview?

Written by Phoebe Sibomana

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