So you’ve got that interview lined up, you know you look like a good match on paper – now what? How do you put your best foot forward in the interview?
Whether it’s as a temp, through an agency, or direct to employer you should do the same sort of research before the interview.
Firstly – Google the company. Is their website conservative, or edgy? What sort of clients do they service? Are there any pictures of their staff on social media? Are there any pictures of people on the website?
All of these visual cues can give you a hint as to what sort of dress code is appropriate for that company. You wouldn’t rock up to an accounting interview wearing ripped jeans – but at the same time, a suit and tie is probably a bit too much for a funky café whose clientele are mostly hippies.
If the company’s staff appear to wear a uniform, you should match that uniform as closely as you can when you dress for the interview.
If there is no uniform, then you want to look like you embody their culture – but one step better. If you think their staff wear suits – wear a suit and tie. If they wear smart office casual – wear a suit, but the tie is optional. If they wear casual clothes – smart office casual is ok. And if it seems like they DO have a clientele that wears ripped jeans and t-shirts, that doesn’t mean you should! But smart jeans with a polo shirt and nice jacket might be ok. If in doubt, dress a little smarter – but if it’s clear that the organisation is completely non-traditional, it’s probably ok to be a little relaxed.
Googling the company should also give you some further information about them so that you can ask intelligent questions during the interview process.
In hospitality, it’s pretty easy as a white shirt and black pants is a pretty standard uniform across the industry. But you can take cues from whether the brand seems conservative – in which case, a 5 star grooming policy most likely applies – or trendy – in which case it may be ok to use accessories to express your personality.
At Pinnacle People, we maintain a 5 star conservative standard – your coordinator will advise you of what to wear prior to your interview with us if you are applying as a temp. If you are applying for a permanent position through our placement services, your consultant can advise you on what sort of dress might be appropriate for that employer.