Member Article

Time for that important interview? Wearing white socks?

Working with domestic and international senior business leaders we can be naïve in thinking that, as their day job is to meet, network, pitch or lead large high profile pieces of work for their clients or employers, they therefore know how to handle a simple an interview, right? 90% of the time I would say yes, but however long you spend working with the candidate to prepare meaningful content to discuss during the meeting, we can overlook the basics.

As you can tell by the title it can be the simplest of things that put a question mark over a candidate’s validity to fulfil a role. So I have put together a quick reference of Do’s and Don’ts (bear in mind this is directed at the business services industry).

Firstly, let’s take a lead from the title of this blog;

It’s all about your presentation

We are not talking about the PowerPoint presentation you have put together but your personal appearance. Today’s environment has become a lot more relaxed in the working environment and consultants now walk around without ties, some go as far to don a pair of chinos with their shirt, HOWEVER remember this is still an interview and regardless of level you should always be smart, be judged on your content not your appearance – got a tattoo of your favourite football team or maybe an error in judgement from a stag do, then ensure it is covered up and not showing through your shirt/blouse.

Hawaiian themed shirts and ties should probably stay in the wardrobe at this juncture and for many other reasons that we won’t discuss here. Clearly you like to show personality, maybe this it is lucky your colour or the shirt your partner purchased for you – just make sure that it’s subtle, no glowing neon coloured shirts or ties.

Now one surprising reminder - and this has happened to one of my candidates on a video conference call -they were a highly regarded co-founder of a Nordics consultancy and were interviewing for a global business based out of the USA where professionalism is key across all areas – the individual probably performed pretty well and gave great insight to the Global Head of Consulting that was carrying out the interview however he noted that he was losing the interest early on from the interviewer. Upon gaining feedback the candidate had come in a shirt and jacket, but was open collared and no tie… was this bad? Well they might have got away from it if they hadn’t had their Apple ear phones hanging out either side. The result was the interviewer felt that the candidate was not taking it seriously, felt he wasn’t that motivated for the role.

You will never get disregarded by being overdressed – in fact you might be remembered because of this, however it is very easy to lose respect of your potential future employer by not ‘appearing’ to take it seriously by not being professional in your appearance.

The above might seem so trivial and in the grand scheme of things it is, however people see you first and listen second you don’t want to have to be fighting a preconceived perception before you have even started to talk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by IMJ Consulting .