'You never get a second chance to make a first impression.'  This cliché is never more important than when you are heading to a job interview. Here are some tips on how to dress for a job interview.

First Impressions Count!

When you are invited to an interview you need to consider that your first impression is going to weight heavily on the person who is interviewing you. If you make a great first impression then you can bet the interviewer is going to use the meeting to try and justify why you should be working for their company. Likewise, of you make a poor first impression you should know that in the back of their mind they are looking for reasons why they shouldn't hire you.

First impressions count and the way you dress for success is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to portray an image of confidence, authority, success, style and self-esteem.

How You Dress For A Job Interview is Your First Impression

Here is a universal truth that you must keep in mind whenever you meet someone for the first time. 'People almost always judge a book by its cover.' Our appearance is the single most important way we impact someone else when we first meet. Studies have shown the following

• 55% of the other persons impression is determined by our appearance
• 38% determined by how we speak, our tone, volume, diction, etc.
• 7%  of their impression is determined by what we say

How to Dress for a Job Interview 

So what does this mean if you have a job interview?

1)     If you are in doubt find out the dress code in advance. You can call the company and ask the receptionist or a sales person: 'what's the dress code for your sales people, is it business casual or suit and tie?'

2)     If its business casual then dress one level better than you need to. If they work in jeans and T-shirts then wear a set of clean crisp Khakis and a new golf shirt or open collar dress shirt.  If the company's sales team wears dress pants and jackets with no ties then wear a suit and tie. 

3)     It's always smarter to dress better than is needed. You don't want them wondering; 'what were you thinking when you got dressed for this job interview'. In fact, make sure you also know what NOT to wear to a job interview.

Don't be afraid to invest a few bucks in a new shirt and tie when you are job hunting. They will go a long way towards sprucing up a suit you may have had for a few years. Looking good will improve your confidence and help you move one step closer to landing that job.

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Aim Higher!

Robert J. Weese, B2B Sales Coach
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