Win Life with Body Language and Dress Code Part 2

The Secrets to Using Your Body Language and Dress Code to Ace That Job Interview

In the last post, I talked about the fact that body language and dressing are two ways you can communicate with and/or influence someone else.

If you haven’t read it, read it here:

How to Influence Others with Your Body Language and Dressing

Now, let’s say you have an interview coming up and it’s for a job you really, really want, how can you up your chances of getting the job with the use of your body language and dress code?

The aim of writing this post is to help you win that job interview by being aware and making use of those two aspects of non-verbal communication that should, hopefully, give you the edge over the other candidates for the job.

Your goal is to make the interviewers like you and select you for the job because you’re just so awesome!

Acing the Job Interview

Employers decide for or against you within the first 5 - 15 seconds of the interview. They’re human, just like you.

So, the message you want to transmit to them with your clothing and your body language is that you’re the best candidate for the job.

The right choice of clothing can increase your self-confidence and this, in turn, will show up in your body language.

It’s been said that some bosses have used clothing as the deciding factor between two similar candidates. In effect, “I like how Candidate B looked. I’ll choose B, even though Candidate A has similar experience and skill with B.”

This means that your appearance can be the difference between your getting the job or not!

Yikes!

Your clothes say a lot about you. They tell others about your:

§  Professionalism

§  Confidence

§  Intelligence

§  Credibility and trustworthiness

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

How do you use your body language and dress to make the interviewer more likely to say yes to you than no?

Body Language and Dress Code Tips

§  Wear the outfit you feel most confident in. It’s the one you look your best in, maybe people have told you this or you like what you see in the mirror. Don’t wear something you’ve never worn before.

§  Learn the styles, cuts and colours that suit your body shape and skin tone

§  If possible, check the company’s website for information about their ways of working (company culture) and dress code policy before the day of the interview

§  Find out also, if possible, anything you can about your interviewers

§  Take with you copies of your CV/Resume

§  Take deep breaths to lower your heart rate before the interview.

§  Walk into the room with confidence. Pull your shoulders back, hold your head high

§  Pause for a moment before answering questions.

§  Speak clearly. Take your time. Don’t rush out the answer

§  Employ good frequent eye contact. Eyes shifting back and forth may give the impression you’re lying

§  Shake hands firmly, looking the interviewers in the eye. Imagine the interviewers are your old friends. Greet them the way you would your friends

§  Nod frequently

§  Sit up straight, lean forward a little, especially when you’re making a point, and face the interviewer(s)

§  Don’t sit at the edge of your chair. It can make you appear tense and nervous

§  Put your hands on the arms of your chair, or fold them on the desk. Don’t place them in your lap, in your pockets or beneath the table.

§  Don’t cross your arms. It will make you appear as if you disagree with what the interviewer is saying. You appear defensive and insecure

§  Keep your feet flat on the floor or cross them at the ankles

§  Don’t cross one leg over the other. It can make you seem unsure or defensive.

§  Don’t tap your fingers on the desk or on the arms of your chair. It may seem as if you are impatient to get out of there.

§  Don’t play with your hair

§  Don’t chew gum

§  Apply little makeup; foundation, powder, eyeliner, lipstick or lip gloss. Use neutral colours (e.g. beige) or muted colours.

§  Your nail polish should be clear or in a neutral colour

§  Please wear deodorant and perfume. Not too much perfume, though

§  Your jewelry should consist of: two small rings, maximum. One bracelet and/or one necklace. Small earrings.

§  Wear either a skirt or trouser suit. Your skirts should be knee-length or below the knee. The cuffs of your trousers should touch the top of your shoes.

§  Suits should be in dark colours (grey, navy, blue and black)

§  For a slimmer appearance, endeavor to use shapewear, for example, a waist cincher. Bras (full cup or full coverage) should cover your whole breasts

§  Select closed-toe or narrow, open-toe shoes in dark colours. Your shoes can be flats or, preferably, with 1½ - 2 inches heel.

§  Carry moderately-sized handbags

§  Don’t wear tight trousers or skirts

§  Please cover up. Try not to show too much cleavage, leg or bare stomach

And we’re done!

Rounding up this post with a little tidbit…

Four of the Most Popular Interview Questions

§  Tell me about yourself

§  Why do you want to work for us?

§  Tell me about your previous job

§  Why did you leave your last job?

Now, if you want to spread your net wider than a job interview…

And you want more people to like, respect and trust you every time, everywhere, it’s important to always use the right clothing, accessories, makeup and hairstyle that suits your unique body shape, face shape and skintone. 

For the knowledge you need, I’d like to refer you to my book, Bodyshape Intelligence for Busy Professional Women: How to Dress to Impress and Make Money. It’s available for sale now on OkadaBooks.com