Your CV has caught the eye of a potential employer, and you’ve finally been invited for an interview. You want to strike the balance between looking good and showing off your personality without compromising the performance of your 30-minute interrogation with one of the high-brow bosses.
Did you know colour psychology plays a significant role in the interview room? Simply put, colour psychology is the study of hues as a determinant of human behaviour. Although qualifications, experience and work ethic play a huge part in the interview process, dressing in a particular way can build up a great first impression and help you secure the job.
Once you’ve arranged an interview date, it’s time to start shopping for your interview attire. We take a look at some of the most popular colours to wear and what they say about your personality.
The role of red
The colour red goes hand-in-hand with romance. However, if you’re looking to demonstrate power — perhaps you are applying for a senior position — red can be a good reflection of this character trait. Studies have shown that this colour can actually boost a wearers confidence, which might be a good shout if you’re slightly nervous for the big day. The study also went on to show that the tone can display good health and being financially sound, which of course is something every company admires.
There are some negatives too. It can also suggest that you’re not kind or sociable, but this can be proved incorrect in the room!
The role of black
You can’t go wrong with black, although you should be more adventurous. Think of other colours that can be paired with this hue, as it is extremely versatile and using another colour on our list could boost your presence.
Although may use the colour black to mourn, in the interview room, it’s a different story — portraying formality and intelligence. Black blazers for men are essential, just make sure to be smart with how you choose to wear this colour!
The role of blue
If you’re all about showing your positive side, blue is the colour you’re destined to wear. The hue demonstrates that someone is a team player, trustworthy and has a lot of confidence. If this sounds like something you’d like to showcase, this hue might just be for you!
It’s a common thought too. Lisa Johnson Mandell at AOL Jobs commented: “Studies show that navy blue is the best colour for a suit to wear to a job interview, because it inspires confidence. You are more likely to get the job when you wear navy blue to an interview than any other colour.” Just remember to pair with some men’s grey derby shoes!
The role of grey
Grey is a colour that many people don’t feel confident wearing. What do people perceive the colour as? We all know that sometimes darker tones don’t propel the best message, but reports suggest that this colour communicates independence; this is something that many employers are looking for.
Despite this, isolation is also associated with it. You want to make sure that you come across as a team player and someone who is actually going to contribute something beneficial to their company.
What to avoid
However, there are some colours that you shouldn’t be wearing to your interview. Colours that were found to attract negative connotations were orange, brown and surprisingly pink.