IP is over the quota
You're certain you want the job. You know you'd be good at it.
So you need to give yourself all the support you can at the interview. One way to do that is to wear the colors that support the impression you want to make. Here are some tips for the best colors to wear as well as colors NOT to wear in a fairly conservative, traditional work environment.
Colors to wear:
Navy carries authority without being overbearing. Shades of blue,in general, suggest all of the boy scout attributes: brave, reverent, trustworthy, loyal, etc. Stick with dark to medium blues for interview purposes.
Gray makes you appear balanced, and unbiased. It's a respectable, neutral, calm color. Wear it if you need to project a very conservative image with your most flattering shade of white. However it is the least memorable color, so, if you want to make a stronger impression, add a blouse or tie in your best shade of red, teal, or purple.
Dark tones of neutralized green, like forest or hunter, give a stable impression. It says "I'm grounded in my area of expertise." Dark greens are linked with trustworthiness similarly to blue.
Purple is a great alternative to navy or gray in business situations where you need to project confidence and individuality. Stick to neutralized medium to dark purples. They're professional and appropriate. However, avoid purple if you need to fit in rather than stand out.
Burgundy helps a younger woman look more mature and competent. If you're new to an industry, it can say "I'm refined and experienced in my field." I would only recommend this as a tie color for a man. A woman could wear it in a suit.
Colors not to wear:
Red gives the impression you're not a team player. You seem to be only concerned about yourself, and you want to be noticed! Not the best message to be sending a prospective employer.
Brown, especially light to medium brown, can make you disappear into the woodwork. It won't cause you to attract attention. It can seem safe and boring and a bit stodgy. One caveat though-if it's a particularly rich shade of black-brown that matches your hair exactly, the effect can be terrific.
Yellow is cheerful and optimistic, but it can also make you appear flighty, whimsical, so people won't take you seriously. You'll seem somewhat impulsive and possibly a poor risk.
Orange is a declassifier. That means you'll appear less than classy. Orange is not good for any business situation as it's the least professional seeming color. It can look cheap no matter how expensive the garment.
Black and white are often suggested as appropriate interview colors, but the high contrast is extremely authoritarian, and you may seem to be challenging the authority of the interviewer. This may be a questionable choice even in a conservative arena.
Pink is passive. Good for gaining sympathy and soft hearted responses, but don't count on it to send the message that you're a competent professional.
Thinking about your color choices pays off. You'll have influence over your interviewers' responses to you And he or she is unlikely to even be aware of it!
Copyright 2008 ? All rights reserved
Leah Oman, AICI, CIP
The Smarter Image, Inc. ?
Leah Oman, AICI, CIP
The Smarter Image, Inc. ?
303-471-7373
email: leah@thesmarterimage.com
http://www.thesmarterimage.com/
