We’ve all heard of how much of an impact first impressions have and that when heading to a job interview you should obviously look your best and dress appropriately - but a recent article from My Global Career breaks it down a little more for us. Writer Allison Craig shares that you create your first impression within the first 2-30 seconds:

…you may not have even said a word. More likely in those initial moments, you, the job seeker, are simply standing up to greet the interviewer and your entire first impression relies solely on your nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication is everything from your body language, facial expressions, tone of voice when you are speaking, and of course your personal image.

To better control how you are perceived in these first few seconds Craig offers up some suggestions:

First off, do a bit of research. Investigate the company, see what they stand for, find out the details out about their mission, their values, and how the company is structured.

Once you know about the company, research the area. Is the job you’re applying for in New York City or is it in Kansas City?  Or perhaps you’re considering a position overseas. In that case, it’s crucial to understand the country’s culture before you jump on a plane or onto Skype for that interview.

Next, she breaks down the four main areas of your personal dress you must consider before heading into the interview: color, cut, level of the position, and reflecting the company’s wants and needs.

Color:

Color and color psychology used correctly can be a powerful tool to communicate who you are as well as the type of professional you are. Simply put, in the color world, the deeper or darker the color, the more professional the color is thought to be, while the lighter the color, the more juvenile or immature the color is thought to be. So if you are going for a powerful, professional look, stick with darker colors and avoid pastels.

Now when it comes to which color to wear, this is where the cultural research really pays off. Western society and Eastern society each have different interpretations of color. Investigating the different color meanings will help you determine which color to wear for the message you want to send. A perfect example is the color red: in Western society red represents passion, where as in Eastern society, depending on the country and their culture, it can have a variety of other meanings. You want to be sure you’re speaking the color language of the company on the receiving end of your impression.

Cut:

The cut of your clothes is crucial because clothes that don’t fit just say sloppy and unkempt. If you want to come across as the true professional that you are, you need to be certain that your clothes fit you perfectly. So go visit a tailor and see what can be done to ensure you’re reflecting your most polished, professional self.

Level of the position and reflecting the company:

Now when it comes to the level of the position and what the company wants, you have to temper this with who you truly are. Dressing in a manner that doesn’t reflect who you are on some level will end up making your outfit look like a costume. Typically, if you are applying for a position below management, a business casual look is acceptable in most areas of the United States.

Also consider the company’s style and approach to doing business. Does the company talk a lot about teamwork and innovation? If so, a business casual look may work in this environment across the board. However, if the company talks about long standing tradition and conservative values, then a business suit may be your best bet.

You have enough to worry about on the day of your interview. Take time in the days before to plan a killer outfit that will send the right message and get you employed!

"lower deck shop clothing" courtesy british red cross via Flickr Creative Commons