Dress appropriately to clinch that elusive job

You possess a First Class hounors degree from an Ivy League university, have the correct references and you are a go-getter. But your job search has taken longer than you ever imagined when you graduated at the top of your class. So what could be the problem? Check your dress code. The cut-throat competition in the job market means that dressing appropriately while attending interviews has never been more important.

Turning up to a job interview in a tight top or with cleavage on display is the quickest way for a woman to blow her chances, according to research. The next biggest dress-code mistake is a black bra underneath a white top. The research also showed that men ruin their prospects most swiftly by turning up in a badly ironed shirt, high-waisted trousers or comedy tie.

Expert opinion
Ms Gloria Byamugisha, the human resource director at Zain Uganda, says smart casual is a must for women intending to win meaningful positions.“Smart casual can work for lower positions, but for those applying for management positions, a suit is most appropriate,” she told Jobs and Career. She says smart casual can mean a trouser which is not tight, matched by a shirt and jacket that is not the same colour as the trouser. Ms Byamugisha says a dress with a jacket and a dress which covers the knees but is not too long is adequate. She advises against overexposure like revealing too much cleavage. “Do not reveal any cleavage at all unless you are going for an interview for showbiz like X-Factor or Pop Idol,” she says.

Dress for success

A recent survey of 2,000 employers showed that turning up to an interview with too much cleavage on display was likely to go against a person’s chances of getting the job. The survey of 2,000 employers, commissioned by British high-street clothes store TK Maxx, also found that a third of bosses make a decision in the first 90 seconds of an interview. And 65 per cent claim clothing could be the deciding factor if two candidates are neck and neck in other areas. Recruitment manager Kieran How, from national recruitment firm Eden Brown, said it was best to “play it safe” at a job interview.
“I have never known such a competitive job market. In some sectors there are hundreds of people applying for each job. It is vital you give a good first impression by wearing the right clothes or you may have ruined your chances before you’ve even opened your mouth,” he said.

“Some bosses may like to see a pretty girl in a tight-fitting top flashing a lot of cleavage but you rarely know who will be interviewing you. It is advisable to play it safe by wearing well-fitted, ironed clothes in neutral colours.”He also had some important advise for men. “Men should shave, avoid comedy ties and pay just as much attention to their appearance as women. Recently I had one man turn up for a job interview wearing a stetson hat and cowboy-style tie because he thought it would be a good idea to stand out,” How says.“The client refused to take him seriously and sent him home after ten minutes. Job interviews are not the place to try fancy dress or to show off your most revealing party clothes.”

No shouting colours
Ms Byamugisha has similar advice for men. “The full suit has always been the best for men. It exudes responsibility, brings out composure and maturity in the job applicant. Gentlemen should avoid shouting colours,” she explained. Indeed the UK survey revealed that job seekers were marked down for wearing bright and trendy colours, with seven out of ten employers saying they do not appreciate people trying to be fashionable.

An overwhelming 81 per cent of employers said wearing a suit to interview suggests you are organised and efficient. Helen Gunter of TK Maxx, which is stocking a new range of professional workwear for men and women, said: “The jobs market is competitively fierce. One thing that can give candidates a boost of confidence before they even walk through the door is knowing they are wearing the right outfit.” “There really is no excuse for fluffing the interview before you’ve even answered the first question,” she added.