Making a good first impression depends a lot on your
appearance. It is important that you look nice and dress appropriately for a job interview.
How you dress for a job interview depends on the job and the company.
If you are interviewing at a company that is more traditional and conservative, then you will want to dress in a way that matches the company’s culture and style.
In most cases, this means wearing a suit and tie for men, and wearing a longer skirt or pants for women.
However, if you are interviewing at a new tech company that is well-known for being
laid-back, then it might be a disadvantage to wear a suit. If you show up wearing a suit to a company like this, then they might think you are not a good fit for their company culture.
If you are not sure what to wear, then it is always best to be conservative. It is better to be
overdressed than
underdressed.
Here are some things you should remember about your appearance.
- Avoid flashy or very bright colors.
- For men, be clean-shaven or if you have facial hair make sure it is neat and trimmed.
- Clothes should be neat, clean and pressed. No wrinkles.
- Comb and style your hair.
- Make sure you have fresh breath.
- For women, avoid revealing clothing like short skirts or low-cut shirts.
- Do not wear too much cologne or perfume.
- Do not wear too much jewelry.
- Match your belt and socks with your outfit.
- Bring a briefcase, case, or portfolio that goes with your outfit. No bookbag.
- For women, avoid wearing too much makeup.
- Do not be chewing gum or eating candy during the interview.
- Do not carry a coffee into the interview.
Vocabulary from the Article
1.
to make a good first impression: to make other people think about something in a positive way after meeting, seeing, or experiencing for the first time
- He made a good first impression on his girlfriend’s parents.
- What is the best way to make a good first impression on someone?
2.
appearance: how something looks
- I think he hasn’t gotten a job yet because of his appearance. He doesn’t dress very well.
- The appearance of the hotel impressed us.
3.
In most cases: usually
- In most cases, you will interview at the company’s office.
- In most cases, we do not fire somebody if they lose a client.
4.
to be laid-back: to be relaxed and easy-going
- He never worries. He is very laid-back.
- Our company culture is laid-back but serious at the same time.
5.
to be overdressed: to be dressed more formally than is necessary for a situation or event
- I think that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.
- I was wearing a suit, but everybody else had on jeans and a t-shirt. I felt very overdressed.
6.
to be underdressed: to be dressed too casually for a situation or event
- I wore jeans and a t-shirt, but everybody else was dressed up. I was so underdressed.
- I feel embarrassed if I am underdressed.
7.
to be flashy: to be very attractive but often considered too much by some people
- I don’t like to wear flashy clothes.
- He drives a flashy car.
8.
revealing clothing: clothing to shows a lot of person’s skin
- The parents do not want their teenage daughter to wear revealing clothing.
- You should never wear revealing clothing in the office.
9.
cologne: perfume for men
- He wears too much cologne. The smell is so strong.
- What kind of cologne do you wear?
10.
outfit: a set of clothes worn together
- I love your outfit.
- I need to buy a new outfit for my job interview.