Dressing for Success: The Importance of Appropriate Interview Attire

• Employability
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• BTEC

Dressing for Success: The Importance of Appropriate Interview Attire

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe appropriate dress for an interview and explain why it is important.

Introduce the learning objective of the lesson.

What do you already know about dressing for a job interview?

First Impressions Count

It takes just seven seconds for a potential employer to form a first impression of you, so dressing appropriately is key to making a good first impression.

Explain the importance of making a good first impression and how it relates to interview attire.

Research the Company Culture

Researching the company culture can give you a better idea of what to wear to the interview. Dress appropriately for the company culture.

Explain how researching the company culture can help inform interview attire choices.

Professional Attire for Men

Men should wear a suit and tie with dress shoes. The suit should be a neutral color, such as black, navy, or gray.

Describe appropriate interview attire for men.

Professional Attire for Women

Women should wear a conservative suit or dress with closed-toe shoes. Avoid excessive jewelry and makeup.

Describe appropriate interview attire for women.

Grooming and Hygiene

Personal grooming and hygiene are just as important as the clothes you wear. Make sure your hair is neat, nails are clean, and teeth are brushed.

Explain the importance of grooming and hygiene in interview attire.

Avoid Distractions

Avoid wearing anything that could be distracting, such as bright colors, loud patterns, or flashy jewelry.

Explain how distracting attire can detract from the interviewee's qualifications.

Fit is Key

Make sure your clothes fit properly and are comfortable to wear. Ill-fitting clothes can be distracting and uncomfortable.

Explain the importance of properly fitting interview attire.

What Not to Wear

Avoid wearing anything too casual, such as jeans or sneakers. Also avoid anything too revealing or provocative.

Explain what not to wear to an interview.

Accessories and Bags

Keep accessories and bags to a minimum. A simple watch, belt, and briefcase or purse are appropriate.

Explain appropriate accessories and bags for an interview.

Activity: Dress for Success

In pairs, have students create an appropriate interview outfit for a given company culture.

Provide instructions for the activity and allow time for students to complete it.

Describe appropriate dress for an interview and why this is important.

Review

Review the importance of appropriate interview attire and its impact on making a good first impression.

Summarize the key points of the lesson and encourage students to ask any questions they may have.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.