CV Cafe

by Niamh Courtney of Dress Zen

Why is dress important?

You have an important interview coming up, thanks to your impressive CV created on CV Cafe and your interviewer already has an image of you, based on that CV. How are you going to stand out from other candidates with similar credentials? Research tells us that the best qualifications don’t necessarily always land the job, but a great first impression will!

Get "your look" right and you will feel confident and comfortable.

Wearing clothes you haven’t worn before for an interview, is not a good idea. You need to be calm going into your interview, collars, belts, buttons, ties etc., needing fixing, will only distract you and the interviewer!

Make an effort to find out about the environment you hope to work in.

There is a tendency nowadays to see different cultures within different sectors, e.g. the technical industry might have a relaxed dress code compared to the more conservative financial sector, but generally the rules regarding dressing for interviews remain. You need to dress appropriately. The suit is still king, for men and women. The trouser suit is acceptable for women nowadays, but a skirt might be more appropriate in certain sectors, law for example. Go and check out who’s wearing what in the company. Drop by at lunchtime to see what attire is coming and going. Word of warning: dressing down or casual Friday clothes are best kept for later, as is any form of denim, even if it is just a collar.

Know your own style!

Finding out which shapes, lengths and colours suit you best for your clothes, hair and makeup will ensure you always look good and feel great. Most importantly you gain the confidence to choose clothes that make an impact at interviews or indeed any occasion.

Never are the psychological effect of colour be more important then when trying to impress! The common wearing of black for interviews may be perceived as confident or powerful, but if black is not in harmony with your overall colouring, you could come across in a negative way. Contrary to what those in the fashion industry insist on telling us, black does not suit everybody. Usually people instinctively know when black is not their best colour and will look far more approachable in other shades, navy and grey are great all round colours for business attire and suit most complexions.

Keep your outfit appropriate to both the job and the weather. Winter clothes are not suitable for summer interviews, but neither are halter necks!

About Niamh

Niamh has worked in the service industry for almost 30 years, with over 10 years in the Image and Fashion sector. Successfully establishing her own Personal Image Consultancy Business in the early 90's, she advises both men and women on what to wear. Drawing on experience gained from working with some of the top Fashion and Cosmetic houses e.g. Dior, Laura Mercier and Chanel, she is constantly researching and updating her knowledge of trends and products.

A member of the Federation of Image Consultants UK and the Association of Image Consultants International, Niamh ensures professional standards are adhered to at all times.

If you would like your own personal image consultation or wardrobe advice email Niamh or visit Dress Zen for more information.