If you create an impressive enough resume, you may get called in for an interview. This means you are on the shortlist and that the employer is seriously considering you for the role You don’t want to lose this opportunity because of your wardrobe. You will probably be up against several equally qualified candidates, so it is imperative that you perform well in the interview and not to make this basic personal dressing mistakes.
What you should never wear to a job interview in Trinidad and Tobago
First impressions are of paramount importance. Most people speak about the importance of a firm handshake, confident posture, a warm smile, and eye contact. While all of the above are crucial, they arguably pale in significance compared to your attire. Wear the wrong outfit, and you’ll torpedo your chances before you say ‘hello.’ Keep reading to discover what you should NEVER wear in a job interview in Trinidad & Tobago.
- SUMMER CLOTHING
We get it, Trinidad & Tobago basks in sunshine for much of the year, and it isn’t much fun to wear a suit and tie in 30 degrees Celsius. Guess what? That is precisely what your competition will do. Men should not turn up in a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops while ladies should leave the flowery dress at home.
Your goal is to impress the recruitment team, and dressing like extras from Hawaii 5-0 will do you no favors. Regarding ‘summer’ job interviews, it is permissible to ‘dress down’ a little. This means tailored khakis, a button-down shirt, and shoes.
- ANYTHING THAT SHOWS TOO MUCH SKIN
The interviewing panel should be focusing on you and NOT what you’re wearing. Unless you’ve applied for a job as a personal trainer or lifeguard, too much skin is a no-no. For example, never wear a V-neck with a blazer and pay close attention to your neckline and hemline.
While you might think that revealing more is a sign of ‘rebellion,’ the average employee doesn’t want a James Dean type character in their books. Get rid of your favorite t-shirt and choose a sensible shirt that covers you up. Ladies, avoid wearing short skirts or anything with a plunging neckline. Your aim is to convey an air of professionalism; dressing like you’re going to a club doesn’t achieve it.
- TOO MUCH COLOGNE/PERFUME
Although you think you smell fantastic and alluring, recruiting teams don’t appreciate it when a candidate comes in smelling like a chemical factory. The last thing you want is to cause a fit of sneezing amongst the panel! By all means, wear some Eau de perfume to smell good; just don’t overdo it. On the flipside, don’t turn up sweaty as no one wants exposure to your body odor. In the interviewer’s mind, if you’re not even concerned about your personal hygiene, how can you be trusted with a job at a company?
- TOO MUCH MAKEUP
Again, this falls into the ‘overdoing it’ category. Female candidates should avoid bright glossy lipsticks, dark eyeshadows, and excessively heavy foundation. Male candidates need to ease off on the hair gel. Toned down makeup and a neat hairstyle is your best bet; guys can have a beard, but it must be well groomed.
- OUTDATED ATTIRE
When attending a job interview in Trinidad & Tobago, please remember that you are operating in a competitive environment. As a result, it is worth investing in a new wardrobe if it is outdated. This can happen to candidates who have not attended an interview in several years.
Don’t forget to pay attention to your footwear. Yes, interviewing panels often sneak a glance to see what’s on your feet. If you have beaten up dress shoes or worse, a pair of sports shoes, your chance of landing the job is gone. Don’t let your pair of favorite flip flops ruin your job interview and entire career.
- EXCESS ACCESSORIES
Both sexes are equally guilty of wearing too many accessories in an interview situation. Female candidates sometimes make the mistake of wearing large hooped or chandelier-style earrings rather than classic studs. Other fashion don’ts include glitzy clothing, large sunglasses or necklaces. Keep your jewelry selection classy and understated.
Male candidates should focus on their cufflinks, tie clip and belt. As a simple rule of thumb, don’t wear anything you would deem appropriate for a nightclub. While we are on the subject of ties, male applicants must keep the novelty tie in the closet where it belongs! The safest bet is a tie with one subdued color although it is okay to wear a patterned tie as long as it contains ‘conservative’ colors such as paisley.
- BADLY FITTING CLOTHES
If you haven’t had an interview in ages and your best clothes don’t fit; buy new ones. Tight clothes not only look awful, but they are also a distraction to you and the interviewer. Do you want to spend the next 45 minutes tugging at your outfit as it nestles in all the wrong places? Likewise, baggy clothes look as if you’ve borrowed them from someone.
- HEADPHONES
We shouldn’t even need to include this one, but an amazing number of job candidates enter the interview room wearing headphones. While you can (and should) listen to music to relax you (or fire you up) on the journey to the interview, take off your headphones before you even enter the building. Imagine getting called in when you’re still listening to your music. How do you think that looks to an interview panel?
First impressions
Research suggests that 55% of the first impression you convey comes from how you dress and interviewers take a little over 2 seconds to form this impression. If you enter the room wearing too much cologne/makeup in an ill-fitting outfit that reveals too much skin, you can kiss the job goodbye before the formalities begin.
Take the safe route and dress like a professional. This means a suit & tie combination for men and a suit jacket, tasteful blouse and three-quarter length skirt for women. You can adopt a slightly more casual look but be mindful of the company you’re interviewing with. While creative industries allow some leeway, formal sectors such as law and business do not.
