The Colors You Wear Say A Lot About You In An Interview
A first impression can have a great impact on your interview. Whether you are on time, prepared and even what you wear all play a part in your first impression. Some research suggests that even the color you wear may convey a specific message.
Here is a list of the best and worst colors to keep in mind for your next interview.
Blue is considered the number one color to wear for an interview. Blue conveys feelings of calm, stability and trust. Wearing blue also portrays you as a confident individual with a team player attitude. It can make you stand out and leave the interviewer feeling impressed.
Lisa Johnson at AOL jobs wrote: “Studies show that Navy blue is the best color for a suit to wear to a job interview, because it inspires confidence. You are more likely to get the job when you wear Navy Blue to an interview than any other color.”
Grey is always safe choice to wear for an interview. It conveys a logical and analytical persona. According to Monster it is the 2nd most popular color choice for an interview after blue. It conveys sophistication, independence, and confidence. Grey is a perfect choice for technical positions such as engineering roles.
Black is an authoritative, and commanding hue. It conveys leadership and confidence. According to Monster.com, “black connotes drama so use it carefully” maybe as an accent color. The color black communicates leadership and exclusivity, or convey confidence which is great if you want to set yourself apart for specific higher level roles.
White is a pure, crisp, clean color. When wearing white you may be perceived as organized and clean. This is a great choice if you want to come across as detail oriented.
Red: Since the color red is a passionate and powerful color, it is best to use red sparingly. A splash of red print on a blouse or a tie is just enough to be noticed without being overwhelming.
Brown: Don’t wear brown to an interview because it gives the impression of being outdated, or old fashioned. The interviewer wants to know that you are up to date with the latest industry needs and since your attire is your first impression it will be perceived as a reflection of how you keep up with your industry.
Orange was at the top of the list with CareerBuilder for the worst color to wear to an interview. Orange is perceived as unprofessional.
Purple & Yellow are flashy colors that should not be worn to a professional interview. Save purple and yellow for creative or artistic fields.
The colors you wear will never be a substitute for being fully prepared for the interview, but paying attention to what impressions specific colors may convey is good food for thought.