Congratulations! You’ve just landed an interview for an admin position that’s been on your radar. If you’re like most job candidates, once the initial endorphins subside, a bit of nervous fear sets in. Suddenly, all you can think about is preparing for the interview ahead.
You’ll probably do research into the background of the company and prepare for the anticipated interview questions. These things are important, but how you dress during your interview also plays a major role in how the interviewer perceives you and your abilities.
You know you should dress professionally, but is a suit always the best answer? If not, what should you wear instead? Here are a few tips for dressing for success during your upcoming admin job interview.
Is the Business Suit a Yay or Nay?
Maintaining a professional appearance is important, but that doesn’t necessarily involve a business suit for an admin position. There’s a golden rule of advice when it comes to dressing for an interview, and that is, you should dress for the part. Obviously, this doesn’t hold true if the typical work attire is jeans and a T-shirt, but for an admin position, this advice is worth its weight in gold.
While you may see this administrative job as a major steppingstone in your career, you’re probably not going to be dressing like an executive when you report for work every day. Therefore, there’s no reason to dress like one in your interview. A good way to describe what you should wear is business casual plus.
For men, business casual might be slacks and a button-down shirt with professional-looking, polished shoes. You can elevate this look for your interview by throwing on a sports coat or tie. For women, a nice pair of slacks or a skirt, with professional-looking blouse and closed-toe shoes is perfect – no business suit needed.
Is there harm in wearing a suit to your admin interview? Probably not, but you also want to avoid the risk of “out-dressing” the person interviewing you.
What to Avoid When Dressing for Your Interview
In the past, there were some hard-and-fast rules about the etiquette of dressing for an interview. Today, many of those standards have changed, but when in doubt, you should always err on the side of being a little too conservative.
For example, even if you see others in your position with exposed tattoos or multiple piercings, its best to keep yours under wraps during the interview process. Bright colors should also be worn with caution. A splash of color with a tie or scarf is great, but a brightly colored pantsuit or dress shirt may distract the interviewer from focusing on you. It’s not necessary to be boring but going for neutral with a touch of color is the best strategy.
Need Help With Your Job Search? Contact the Experts at Top Notch Personnel!
Before you can think about the interview, you need to find opportunities that place you in front of managers who are looking for top-notch administrative personnel. Our job is to connect professionals like you with career-building opportunities. Connect with Top Notch Personnel and let us move you along your admin career path today.
