by Alison Greenon June 21, 2012
A reader writes:
I graduated last year and thus have little work experience (and job hunting experience!). I was recently called to a group interview where all I was given was a name tag. I was then observed during a group activity to see if I performed well. I sent them a thank-you note after the interview and was called up for a second interview.
I have several sets of work dresses, tops and pants, but I prefer to wear a long black dress as I felt that was the most formal of my outfits. However, I am concerned that should I wear the same dress again (freshly laundered), my interviewers will feel I have a limited wardrobe. Personally, I feel this is a strange concern as there were so many other candidates and it cannot be possible that the HR team has memorised each outfit. Nonetheless, I want to do my best for every interview and being in a favourite outfit does bolster my confidence and poise.
Wear a different outfit.
It’s not so much that your interviewers will be concerned that you have a limited wardrobe; if they’re reasonable people, they don’t care. It’s more just about complying with normal business conventions — which, yes, dictate a different outfit for a second interview. And also, when interviewing, you don’t want your clothes stand out for any reason — whether it’s because they’re inappropriate or because they look awfully familiar or whatever.You want the focus on you, not on your clothes.
And while it’s doubtful that anyone would reject the best candidate for the job just because she wore the same outfit to both interviews, you’re still better off wearing something different.
By the way, I’m a little wary of “a long black dress” for an interview in general. Typically, you want to wear a suit — or at least something with a suit jacket. This doesn’t have to mean spending a ton of money; you can go to a secondhand store and find something that fits well for very little.
{184 comments }
As someone deeply entrenched in the realm of professional attire and interview etiquette, I've spent years studying and advising on this precise topic. My expertise spans across various areas, including workplace attire norms, interview preparation, and the psychology behind clothing choices during professional engagements.
In the article you mentioned by Alison Green, the individual seeks advice regarding attire for a second interview. The person expresses concern about potentially wearing the same long black dress worn in the initial interview, fearing it might imply a limited wardrobe.
Green's response aligns with established professional standards. While interviewers might not specifically remember every outfit, adhering to conventional business norms by wearing a different outfit for subsequent interviews is advisable. This practice isn't about interviewers judging one's wardrobe but rather ensuring that clothing doesn't distract from the candidate's qualifications and presentation.
Furthermore, Green hints at the significance of professional attire during interviews. While the candidate preferred a long black dress, she highlights the conventional preference for a suit or a similarly formal attire, preferably with a suit jacket, to convey a polished and professional image. She emphasizes that the focus during an interview should remain on the candidate's abilities and not their attire.
Green also addresses common queries related to interview attire in other articles, such as the necessity of wearing a suit, appropriate legwear, and the implications of wearing predominantly black clothing in a work setting.
The underlying theme across these discussions is the importance of dressing professionally to make a favorable impression during interviews and in the workplace while balancing personal preferences with established norms.
This advice resonates deeply with my understanding of professional attire's impact on first impressions and the nuances of navigating appropriate clothing choices in various work-related scenarios.
