Interview outfits? The thousand dollar question eh? Get it wrong and it's back to Flying Doctors and a can of Special Brew of a weekday morning.
Get it right and you'll have something decent to say when people ask you what you do down the Dog & Duck.
So, you've prepared your stock responses and made up some wacky sounding interests and hobbies but what are you going to wear? The golden rule is to aim for a slightly smarter version of what you'd be expected to wear on a day-to-day basis. Turning up for an interview at a kids TV channel in a BHS pinstripe might not warm them to your cause. Likewise, flip-flops and board shorts for a panel interview at Price Waterhouse Coopers is likely to be met with a swift 'don't call us we'll call you'.
No matter what job you're going for you need to look presentable and smart. We're not going to tell you to wash/brush your hair/not turn up with your whole family in tow like other articles do, as it's obvious isn't it? But read on for general tips.
Creative jobs - media, advertising, music and stuff
You'll probably find they don't wear suits to work, but this doesn't mean turning up in a chicken suit will win you brownie points. What you should aim for is a smart outfit (something stylish and simple or a cool suit) with some kind of unique touch. Wacky ties don't count. Something like an interesting bag or an unusual but not ridiculous pair of shoes does.
Sensible jobs - banking, recruitment, insurance, finance, sales, the corporate side of creative companies and the like.
Any job where you'll have to wear a suit for day-to-day business requires definite interview suitage. Get smart.
Other jobs
McDonalds, Burger King and any of the armed forces should sort you out with your own special uniform. This doesn't mean wearing one to the interview will help. They'll just think you're a freak.
Places to get that impressive outfit:
High Street Shops
The likes of Oasis, Next, Wallis, Burtons and French Connection are all good contenders for smart clothes at job-hunting prices. But here are a few more suggestions for shopping in cities throughout the UK…
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