https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/1890/%E2%80%98Dress-For-Success%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-The-Hidden-Bias-In-The-Job-Interview/
‘Dress For Success’ – The Hidden Bias In The Job Interview
I’m going to cut right to the chase. If you’re a woman, over 40 and looking for a job, the way you look can hurt or help your chances. Although appearances count for everyone, older people are especially vulnerable to this hidden form of bias.
I’m not talking about wrinkles or grey hair, nor am I advocating a $10,000 wardrobe spending spree. I’m talking about the little details that convey youthful enthusiasm to convince an employer you’re totally up to the minute (or clueless). Although we can’t turn back the clock, there are ways to make the age factor secondary to the job interview:
Dress Appropriately but Modern
Don’t wear anything that will date you. Avoid big shoulder pads, a thigh-high skirt, boots or heavy heels. I’m not an advocate for trendy clothing, but I think that wearing something this season — fresh, modern, age-appropriate - enhances one’s credibility. Buy one terrific interview suit that you can wear with a crisp shirt or a thin turtleneck. Make sure it’s always clean and ready to wear at a moment’s notice.
Accessories Rule!
Use accessories to convey an air of confidence. Make sure shoes are appropriate for the outfit, and if they’re leather, keep them polished with attention paid to the heels. Wear one thing that’s gutsy like vintage earrings, a stack of thin silver bracelets to let your personality come through. Fine fishnets are terrific as an alternative to a heavy opaque; a charming cloche or beret looks dashing with a military style overcoat; a gorgeous umbrella makes a statement on a rainy day. Everything you wear should be in tip-top condition. Go over your clothes to replace or mend loose or missing buttons. You need to deal head-on with the perception that you’ve been out of the loop. To help convince the interviewer otherwise, make your accessories speak of the moment.
Get a Second Opinion
If you’re out of practice and haven’t dressed for an interview in years, seek out someone whose taste level is excellent and ask them for advice. Ask specific questions: is your haircut flattering? Anything stiff or bouffant is a no-no. Is your makeup sheer enough? Every woman looks better with eyeliner and a natural-colored pencil to define the lips. Are the earrings smart and elegant? Does your interview outfit convey an air of confidence? This fact-finding mission makes an excellent starting point for a strategic shopping trip to buy those building blocks for a knockout outfit.
There’s a reason the costume designer in any film gets top billing, along with the writer and the director. Clothes help communicate the character’s style, background, motivations. Use the “costume” of the interview suit as shorthand to your inner fabulousness.
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https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/1915/%E2%80%98IT-AINT-EASY-BEING-A-CUSTOMER-ANYMORE/