How Your Appearance Can Impact Your Ability to Get Hired
Whether we like it or not: looks count for a lot. They say you should never judge a book by its cover but, unfortunately, it’s something we’re all guilty of doing. When it comes to getting your dream job or applying for a promotion, your appearance certainly counts for a lot.
Don’t believe us? Just take a look at some of the ways your appearance affects your ability to get hired:
Professionalism
How you present yourself says a lot about your level of professionalism, particularly when you’re attending a job interview. Dressing smartly, no matter the style, and paying attention to detail shows that you value the opportunity and the interviewer’s time. What’s more, making an effort with your appearance indicates that you want to make a good impression and that you’re serious about securing the role.
Confidence
People use clothes and makeup as a way to enhance their appearance or to shy away from the world. What you choose to wear reflects how confident you feel about yourself, so this is going to be apparent in your interviews and job trials.
Conversely, your appearance can also boost your confidence and make you feel ready to face the world. When you know you look good, it has a positive impact on how you portray yourself and how you engage with other people. By putting some extra effort in, you’ll increase your self-esteem and cultivate a quietly confident level of self-assuredness that never fails to impress.
Preparedness
Dressing well for a job interview means being prepared for whatever might be thrown at you. Of course, this is going to vary depending on the type of role you’re applying for and the industry in which you work.
A job as a software developer is going to require different skills and different attire to a role on a building site or in an accountancy firm, for example. When you’re aiming to get hired, thinking about the requirements of the role before you choose your interview attire. Choosing between a suit vs jeans, backpack vs briefcase, and dress shoes vs trainers isn’t as straightforward as you might think. As well as choosing your outfit based on your own style, consider what your dream role entails and make sure you’re dressed for it.
Personality
Your appearance is just one way of conveying your personality to the world, so what you wear and how you present yourself is going to emit key details about who you are as a person. When employers are looking for new hires, they want someone that’s going to fit into the company well, in addition to someone who is well-qualified and experienced. Consider what your appearance says about you and make sure it reflects the personal brand you’re trying to portray.
Dressing for the Job
If you want to progress in your chosen field, it’s important to look the part. Dressing for the job you want, not the job you have, can have a remarkable impact on your ability to secure a new role. While you’ll need to have to talent and skill to back it up, enhancing your appearance should always be a priority when you’re looking for a new job.