Several years ago, I was working as an assistant manager of a popular retail brand, and under my Area of Responsibility was the duty of recruiting, hiring, and training new part time associates. The brand I worked for typically hired generalists; that is associates that could be cross-trained in several areas of the business. Typically, I tried to prescreen associates before calling them in for a face-to-face interview. Occasionally applicants were prescreened by other leaders in the business, and interviews were set up on the schedule for me. In my experience, I have seen candidates walk in for an interview wearing all sorts of crazy things: last year a young woman wore her sunglasses the entire interview, and never once offered an explanation for why (if?) she needed them. Candidates have worn sweat pants, tank tops, flip-flops, baseball caps, and super high stilettos with really short skirts. But this candidate was by far dressed the most inappropriately of any candidate I had ever interviewed: he wore jeans, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt that said "F*** You." (without the stars!) His email address on his application was so profane, I can't even hint at it here. This experience really focused me on presentation of appearance as an essential part of the interview process.
In any interview situation, dressing for success is a key element in making a great first impression. According to Forbes Magazine, and citing a study by Dr. Frank Bernieri from Oregon State University "...within the first 10 seconds of meeting your interviewer--otherwise known as the meet-and-greet--that person has decided whether or not you're right for the job. Those who come across as polished and pulled together are quite simply more likely to be hired than those who are seen as putting in less effort." In an environment where one open position may have any where from ten to 100 applicants, how you present yourself can be a deciding factor. If every applicant has a comparable resume, education, and skill set, are interviewers going to choose the person who took the time to put on a suit, or the person who came in sweat pants and a t-shirt? Additionally, Nathan Newberger from WorkTree.com advises, " Research the prospective employer: companies and even industries have definable corporate cultures. Find out what the corporate uniform is-and wear it." Specifically in the retail industry looking the brand is important. If the hiring manager can't picture you on the sales floor styling customers you won't get an offer.
As a hiring manager how important of a factor does appearance and dress play into your decision to hire someone or not? Is it fair to take appearance into consideration when interviewing a candidate?
I think how you dress and your cleanliness at an interview is extremely important. I was recently on a interview committee and my first impressions stuck with me for the interview process. Like you said, in this day and age where jobs are scarce anything you can do to separate yourself from the others is imperative and dressing like you really want and care about the job can be the difference between getting the job and being passed up for the position.
ReplyDeleteAs a hiring manager appearances are important in my decision to hire someone or not. I do believe it is fair to take appearance into consideration when interviewing a candidate, but within reason and depending on the position for which you are hiring. A sense of style for a clothing retail store sales position is much more important than if the applicant is looking or a non-sales position.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first interviewed for my current job, I had a newborn (getting laid-off after maternity leave was so fun!), and unbeknownst to me, I also had spit-up on my black dress shirt. My soon-to-be boss noticed said spit-up and I do believe he thought it was endearing. (He had two little boys at home). Because we are a small office and we mostly do digital work, our typical uniform is jeans and a t-shirt. However, if I had come in wearing that to our first meeting, I think he would have thought I didn't care about the position. I am currently wearing flip-flops, ripped jeans, and a Johnny Cash shirt. And I am at work...
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if your boss was not a family man, and couldn't relate to you that the results would have been the same?
DeleteTaking consideration ofappearance for an interview is important to me as a hiring manager, because it says the person cares about the details, right? But Devil's advocate: can a person's appearance speak louder than their resume? If an extremely qualified person is sitting in front of you and will positively impact your business, is it worth it to coach them on dressing the part?
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