Looking the part for a career change

By Lindsay Edmeades LOOKING THE PART FOR A CAREER CHANGE

How much thought do you put into your work clothes? For many people, attending interviews, starting a new job, and changing career are all times when a fresh look is needed. Personal image matters, especially when attending an interview, but the world has changed. Gone are the days where everyone must wear a suit to an interview. Instead, you need to show you are the right fit for the company. According to Forbes,1 the key is to dress for the role you want whilst maintaining authenticity.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER

Whether in person or online, appearance and behaviour count. Research from College Atlas2 states that 55% of first impressions are determined by the way you dress and walk through the door to a job interview, and 65% of hiring managers say clothes can be the deciding factor between two similar candidates. So, taking all of this into account – making a good first impression, dressing to impress, and maintaining your sense of self – how can colour help you land the job of your dreams?

THE MEANING OF COLOURS

Not many people consider the physiological effect the colour they are wearing can have on others. Choosing the right colour for the occasion or job is just as important as selecting one that suits us too. Let’s look at the impact of colour in more detail.

Generally, dark colours portray authority. However, psychologist and wellbeing consultant Lee Chambers3 states, ‘Dress like a shadow and you will suddenly look untrustworthy and a little menacing’ – so you may want to avoid dressing head to toe in black. Medium-depth colours can make you look more approachable, and wearing blue has been shown to lead to success in interviews: according to the Daily Mail,4 a survey of 2,786 employees found that 81% were wearing some blue to an interview before being offered a job. Light colours can appear less professional for very formal environments and are more suited to casual workplaces. But beware, Indeed.com5 states that orange is considered the most inappropriate colour for an interview.

Black/grey - Power, formality, elegance, evil and mystery, death

Brown - Down-to-earth yet credible, non-threatening

Beige - Friendly, approachable, non-threatening

White - Purity, freshness, innocence, faith

Blue - Logic, safe, trust, peace

Red - Energy, confidence, control, strength Green - Nature, growth, freshness, fertility

Purple - Royalty, power, luxury, ambition

Pink - Gentleness, empathy

Orange - Calm, natural, fresh, balanced

Yellow - Joy, happiness, intellect, energy

What is your first impression of the people in these images and the colours they are wearing?

Think about the role you will be taking on each day and choose colours and clothes that reflect the situation and how you wish to portray yourself to those you are meeting or working with. The meaning of colours varies across cultures, so it’s important to research the company or person you are meeting. For example, in Chinese culture, white is worn for mourning, whereas red symbolises prosperity and power.

COLOUR CONFIDENCE

Brands use colours to relay meanings; we see it in logos and marketing materials delivering non-verbal messages all around us. So, why don’t we think about it more in the way we dress and apply colour psychology to our clothing choices? You don’t have to wear the same colour or uniform every day, unless your profession or industry requires it, but wearing colours that complement you, or show your personality, can make you feel more confident.

Everyone can wear every colour, just not every shade of every colour. Your individual colouring will affect whether you suit lighter or darker shades and warmer or cooler undertones. Making small changes and wearing your most compatible shades can increase your confidence.

Top Tip: Wear items in complementary colours nearest to your face, such as tops, scarves, ties, glasses and jewellery. DRESSING THE PART

To stand out in an interview or in your new workplace, differentiate yourself by using your personal image. Throw a little of your personality into the outfit. Yes, you need to look the part for the job, but if the outfit is something you would never wear, will you appear unnatural or uncomfortable?

Research the company’s values and the dress code for the position you are applying for; a creative agency is probably going to place less importance on ‘suits and boots’ than an accounting firm, for example. However, following the Covid-19 pandemic, a co-working office/ work-from-home dress code has emerged for many people. The lines have blurred between homewear and workwear and it’s more mainstream to mix formal and casual clothes for a totally hybrid look.

Find a balance between looking smart, keeping your personality, and addressing the company culture. Once you find this balance, it will help you remain comfortable

and content in your new job. You’ll generate the right energy by being dressed for yourself and your role.

Top Tip: For interviews and meetings, whether virtual or face-to-face, wear a colour that is right for you AND that sends the right silent message to others.

If you are starting your own business, don’t forget you are the main ambassador, so think about presenting yourself in a way that will relay your brand and values to your customers. Dressing the part is vital to your business’s image and how others view you.

Don’t forget to update your profile picture on any professional social media accounts you have, considering colours, your personal style, and how you fit with your business, your new job, or the one you’d like to get.

According to the Association for Psychological Science,6 research has shown that dressing to impress not only affects other people’s perception of you, but also your own self-perception. This confidence in your clothes and the way you look can improve your body language immensely, helping you to make the best first impression possible.

Improved relationships

Improved performance

Looking good

Positive self-image Confidence A NEW JOB OR CAREER DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN A COSTLY NEW WARDROBE

You don’t have to spend a fortune on clothes. By choosing the right colours and styles and using what you already have, you can actually have fewer clothes in your wardrobe but more to wear (which helps the environment too!).

Invest in quality coats, jackets, skirts, dresses, and trousers that suit you and you’ll get plenty of wear out of. Investment buys are always best in neutral colours as they are less likely to date and will go with any new seasonal items you buy. Neutrals include black, ivory, beige, pewter, brown, navy, grey, olive, and even teal. Build a capsule wardrobe with a limited number of garments that you can mix and match to create different combinations. By using a strong neutral base of staple items, you can add accent colours as you please for a wider variety of outfits.

SHOP IN YOUR OWN WARDROBE FIRST

Establish which garments are in colours and styles that still suit you and are appropriate for your new job or lifestyle. Donate any that aren’t suitable and check that what you have is still current. Although some styles are timeless, ones that are very trend-specific might look a little out of place.

Don’t forget to review your accessories: footwear, bags, hats, belts, jewellery, scarves, ties, and glasses. Quality accessories are an excellent way to update your wardrobe seasonally and introduce more colour.

Look at how you can create outfits from what you have left. What combinations can you create and how do the colours work together? Make a list of the garments you need to fill any gaps. Bear in mind that building your capsule wardrobe may take a little time. Keep a list on your phone of what you need to fill in the gaps, so you have easy access to it if you spot something in the shops.

THE REAL COST OF NEW CLOTHES

Spend money on the clothes you will wear the most. There is little point in buying an expensive suit if you wear jeans most of the time. Cost per wear isn’t the cost of the garment but rather the number of times you wear it − the more you wear an item, the less expensive it becomes. Invest in pieces that will last. If you’re a fan of Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up, you might want to donate or recycle clothing items you don’t wear and don’t ‘spark joy’. Quality over quantity is key.

IF IN DOUBT, LOOK AROUND AND ASK FOR HELP

If you are not sure what to wear for an interview, it will help to research the company’s dress code and look around if you go for a pre-interview visit. What are the other staff wearing? What is the image the company is portraying? What are employees wearing on the organisation’s website images?

Once you have a good idea of what to wear, consult friends, family members, or colleagues that you trust. Ask them for honest feedback to help guide you to your final outfit of choice. Consulting a professional stylist will also give you the knowledge and tools to look your best, feel confident and ensure that any mistakes in the wardrobe are a thing of the past. Wearing something you feel confident and comfortable in will help you feel prepared and polished for the interview or new enterprise ahead. About the author Lindsay Edmeades is a Colour Me Beautiful consultant and personal stylist. Services include colour analysis, personal style and make-up consultations, available in person or virtually via Zoom.

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Images from Colour Me Beautiful, Image Matters for Men and Colour Me Slimmer (Hamlyn).

1 www.forbes.com/sites/chriswestfall/2020/01/19/the-new-dress-code-what-to-wear-job-interview-fashion-style/?sh=5c2f1db9547b 2 www.collegeatlas.org/34-crucial-job-interview-tips.html 3 www.thesme.club/post/recruitment-and-interview-tips-to-help-uk-smes-and-employees 4 www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8685333/Psychologist-reveals-colour-avoid-wearing-interview.html 5 www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/what-colors-to-wear-to-an-interview 6www.psychologicalscience.org/news/minds-business/when-clothing-style-influences-cognitive-style.html#.WTmBucaZNBw