My friend was young and ambitious, and she wanted to make a great impression on her interview at the bank, so like we say in the Bahamas she put on all her clothes.
On the day of the
interview you should have seen her:
Coach bag and
briefcase, black fishnet stockings with brown suit, 2 rings on each hand, thick
stilettos shoes, 4 bracelets on her hand with her favorite oversized watch and
full make-up. She looked at herself in the mirror and proclaimed “I’m Smokin!”
as she skipped out of the door! She was smoking all right, in fact too hot to
handle. HR never called her back for a second interview.
Ladies don’t let
this happen to you. Don’t be a victim of clutter. Don’t allow accessories overload to cause you to become
stagnant in your career and loose out on opportunities because your image is
sending the wrong message.
Now after my
friend didn’t get the job, she calls me up to whine “So Stacia, You’re the Corporate Image Consultant what did I do wrong?” Well your first mistake Sista was not
calling the image consultant before you
went on the interview. As an Image Consultant I would have helped you to select
the right style for your figure, the correct colors for your skin stone, the
right fabric for your suit, the correct hairstyle for the shape of your face,
ensuring at the same time that your outfit projected credibility, authority and
strong professional presence. Needless to say had you called me first, you’d
have a J. O. B. right known!
Anyway what’s
done is done, but the next time you’re invited to an interview as you ponder
what to wear I need you to be mindful of the K.I.S.S. methodology. Keep It
Simple Sista less is always best.
Four colors may come in the makeup palette, but trust me they don’t expect
you to wear all four colors at the same time. Two colors over the eye is good.
(Ensure colors are properly blended). You were interviewing to be a teller not to swing from a pole. Loose the
loud fishnets and opt for a skin tone pantyhose.
· Never carry a briefcase and a bag. Choose one; If you opt for the briefcase just place your personal items in a smaller bag in the briefcase. Wear simple closed in pumps. No stilettos, open toe or sling backs. Remember you’re looking for a job not going the prom - loose all hair ornaments. Accessories should compliment not overpower so keep jewelry size proportioned and by all mean feel free to repeat a pattern. Eg. If you have round buttons on your jacket you can wear round earrings, round glasses etc.
· Finally remember when in doubt become a secret shopper. Visit the
company to see what the established dress code is. Conduct your research to
ensure that you are appropriately dressed and on brand for the culture of the
organization, and if you still not clear, just ask.
