Everyone has a different sense of style. Some people prefer bright colors and pastels, and others preferdeep and dark tones. While this does not definitively determine the mood of a person, clothing choices can help to analyze a person's personality. Moreover, whether it is realized or not, often times people are judged by their clothing. It has been taught for generations that what people think should not affect the way one acts or dresses. On the other hand, when it comes to the world of professionalism, things tend to change. When preparing for an interview, it often comes into question what is appropriate and what is not. This answer is ever-changing, and moreover, ever-varying for different situations. Professional interview trainer at the University of Maryland's Career Center, Ms. Kyra, explains the first step in preparing for an interview.
Before interviewing for a company, it is essential to do some research.
Every office is run differently. Before going into an interview, one needs to know what they are going into. Is the company run by mainly young people? Is the company an older company with experienced, more serious workers? These questions must be taken into consideration. By scrolling through a company's website, it may give someone a better idea of how the company is run. A website that is plainly structured without many colors and graphics may be a more serious company. The workers at that office may dress more traditionally (simple black and white work clothes). On the other hand, a younger company's website may have more colors and graphics; this company's employees may dress a little funkier. Also, if someone is interviewing for a job he/she should simply know the company that they are interviewing for. If the job is for a law firm, the likelihood of traditional, professional attire is far more likely than that of a fashion company. Be careful though, many companies that may seem like corporate, "typical" professional companies may not be.
Just because a company dresses in "traditional" professional attire does not mean a little pizzazz is out of the question.
A few people on the street suggested what they they think would be appropriate for an interview.
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Although people on the street have the right of idea of what is safely appropriate, neither of them mentioned incorporating personality into clothing. Ms. Kyra explains how to conquer this task.
Although people on the street have the right of idea of what is safely appropriate, neither of them mentioned incorporating personality into clothing. Ms. Kyra explains how to conquer this task.
Contrary to peoples' beliefs, a classic "work outfit" can be stylish and creative. Although in a setting like a law firm, dress may be serious, this does not necessarily mean that an outfit should be bland and neglect personality. Yes, in an interview for this type of position neat, clean, more plain outfits are ideal. However, personality can be brought out in multiple ways. For women, accent or pop colors in a shirt or skirt are perfect. As long as the colors are not distracting, it is a great way to add a little something. Also, a statement necklace or watch can be great. One thing to remember when doing this, however, is that the interviewer should notice the interviewee first (not what they are wearing). This is particularly important to remember for the next few months. During the summer this concept is essential. Although summer temperatures can get to scorching levels, it is important to remember that clothing must remain appropriate. That being said, modesty is is a top quality to keep in mind at all times in the work place. Summer work-place trends can be fun and flirty without going overboard on skin. Above, Ms. Kyra explains how to conquer the task of keeping an outfit safe but full or personality.
Professional fashion is forever changing.
While black and white may once have been the go-to, this is no longer the case. Black and white will forever remain classic, but it is certainly not the only option. Many companies are now gravitating towards a more laid back environment. Successful companies are now being developed by younger age groups, who hold different values than previous generations. Rather than offices that value a look of pure professionalism and lack of personal involvement, many contemporary offices welcome personality and charisma into the workplace. As Ms. Kyra describes, people in her "young office" wear casual maxi dresses and funky attire to work on a daily basis. The one time that Ms. Kyra says she wore black and white, she says that the outfit consisted of black pants with a funky white stripe down the side.
While fashion in the work place is developing, this does not mean that old workplace trends need to be trashed. A plain pants suit that is outdated can be turned into something completely new. While the pants can be paired with an eclectic pop-color top, the blazer can be paired with dark skinny jeans and a not-outrageous statement necklace for a non-formal office. A classic black pencil skirt can also be paired with a bright colored top and patent leather flats for a flash of personality. Ms. Kyra explains her perspective on how workplace attire is continuously changing.
Try to reflect your personality in interview and workplace clothes, but remember, those clothes are going to be the image that is left in an interviewer's mind. Psychologist, Dr. Baumgartner, has done extensive research to prove that clothing truly does reflect the values of a person. In her book, You are What You Wear, Dr. Baumgartner uses the example that a necklace that is too flashy might ironically suggest that a person is financially unstable or insecure. This goes back to the point that although making a statement is great, the idea is for the interviewer to remember the interviewee, not the interviewee's outfit; the interviewer should be focused on the person not what the person's wearing. The fact that "you are what you wear" should not be something to shy away from, but something to embrace. If an employer retracts something from an outfit that they do not like, but it is a signature part of that individual, then maybe that job is not the right fit.
