CVUK Interview Tip of the Week #7

Appearance is everything.

Dressing to impress is obviously a must when it comes to preparing for an interview but in the same way that we wouldn’t turn up for an interview in trainers it isn’t always necessary to dress head to toe in a suit either. Obviously the way you dress is dependent on the place you are interviewing and in certain circumstances wearing a suit to a job interview is utterly appropriate but in some situations this is not entirely necessary.

In creative industries such as fashion, graphics and art companies want to see a certain amount of personality and this comes through in the way you dress. However, when we’re saying you don’t always need to dress in a 3 piece we’re not saying that jeans is the way to go. Try pairing a skirt with a blouse and some heeled boots or add a smart jacket to cropped trousers and courts – experiment with different looks but keep it professional. A recent survey showed that 3/4 of potential candidates fail the interview within the first 3 minutes, simply because of a poor appearance. Simple things to remember (that can be so easily forgotten when planning for an interview) :

1. Chipped nail varnish, scruffy shoes and creased clothes gives the impression of sloppiness and laziness

2. If carrying a portfolio make sure it is as well presented as you, take only the work you want to show

3. Too much make-up can appear desperate – if you wear make-up keep it simple