| Dressing aptly for an interview forms a significant part | | | | dressing for interviews can be classified in the |
| of the array of interview skills. Self-presentation of a | | | | following manner: |
| candidate by all means leaves a lasting impression on | | | | 1. Company Culture: Knowing not only the company |
| the recruiter. Having concentrated on verbal and | | | | culture, but the prevailing norms at a particular |
| behavioral skills during a job interview, let's focus on the | | | | department too helps to decide what kind of clothes to |
| physical aspect of self-presentation - how to dress | | | | wear. For example, the finance department of a |
| aptly. | | | | newspaper office might be more formal than its |
| A corporate dress code is known to more or less | | | | editorial division; or the PR division of a company would |
| everybody - dark suit and tie for men, and pant-suit or | | | | be more uptight about clothing than the production |
| business skirt of a dark colour for women. For many | | | | department. Similarly an interior designing firm would |
| people dressing in an ultra-formal manner like this can | | | | have an altogether different dress culture from that of |
| become stifling, though they may not be able to | | | | a management consultant firm. |
| articulate it. However, one has to know the rules to | | | | 2. Years of Experience: The years of experience of a |
| break them. Now let's explore how these rules can be | | | | candidate and the level of job applied for also make a |
| broken, while preserving a style that will still leave an | | | | difference. For a fresher it is important to come across |
| impression. | | | | as capable and mature and focused on details as part |
| Before we start experimenting, let us first establish the | | | | of their interview skills. A middle-level professional might |
| ground rules of dressing for any kind of an interview or | | | | forego the corporate uniform as he could be |
| work place. The absolute musts - for both men and | | | | accentuating his capabilities or his adaptability to a new |
| women - include properly combed hair, clean nails, | | | | office culture, more than the formal aspect of clothing. |
| clean shoes, wrinkle free clothes and deodorant too to | | | | Other than that in a country like India weather also |
| avoid that sweaty smell. The absolutes no-nos consist | | | | plays its part in dressing. In warmer cities like Delhi, |
| of unkempt hair and dirty nails, wrinkled clothes, missing | | | | Kolkata, Chennai a jacket and a tie may not always |
| buttons, hanging threads etc. For men it is important | | | | be the prevailing norm, while it may be so in Bangalore. |
| that they don't wear white socks with dress shoes, as | | | | The last but not the least, remember that it is essential |
| the colour of the socks should always match that of | | | | that you be comfortable in your attire. The last thing |
| the trousers. Also ensure the elastic of the socks is | | | | you want to do is to appear as a fidgety and uneasy |
| fine, as it can be very embarrassing to be seen with | | | | individual at an interview. So if you are happier in a shirt |
| your socks sagging around your ankles while sitting at | | | | and trouser rather than a business suit and for women |
| an interview. Believe me, paying attention to these little | | | | in a salwar-kameez or a sari than a pant-suit, then so |
| details always pays off. | | | | be it. Prove your mettle to the employers and they |
| Other factors that one should keep in mind while | | | | won't be finicky about your attire. |