We’d like to think appearance doesn’t matter during the job searching process.  Whether you get the job should be based on your qualifications, education and experience, right?  Truth is, a clean, professional appearance is not just aesthetically pleasing, but it can also tell your future employer a lot about you as a person.  Make the right choice with your wardrobe and you may have a better shot at your dream job!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you’re looking through your closet for that perfect interview outfit:

What’s the Best Color?
Color can make a statement.  Red often signals power.   White sends off a feeling of trust, purity and honesty.  It’s important to think about what kind of statement you want to make in an interview though.  Try on a few options.  What does each of your outfits seem to say?  Professional? Creative? Outgoing?  Bright colors can be inappropriate for some companies, while at more creative and casual workplace settings, a colorful outfit can show off your own creativity and style.  

Who’s Your Audience?
Where are you interviewing?  Is it at a law firm or at an art gallery?  The environment and the culture of a company can tell you a lot about what’s most appropriate to wear.   If you’re interviewing with a financial firm or legal department, wearing neutral colors and a professional suit may be the best bet.  However, if you’re interviewing for a creative positions with a graphic design firm, art department or gallery, you may want to show off a little more flair, color and pattern to show you understand the culture of the business. 

How Do You Feel?
After you’ve decided what’s appropriate for the environment of the company and what color and how much color looks good on you, you must also think about what makes you feel best.  When you feel good in a color or certain outfit, you will exude confidence.  We all know how we lose confidence when we feel uncomfortable or our outfits don’t fit quite right.  Pick something that makes you look and feel good! It will show during the interview! 

Choose from your closet wisely and remember these questions as you prepare for your job interview.  Think about what your outfit seems to say about you, who will see it and most of all, how you feel in it.