Knowing what you’re going to wear for your job interview can be tough. 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.
Colour psychology does play a role in job interviews. 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.
We take a look at some of the most popular colours to wear and what they say about your personality.
What does red say about you?
Red is often associated with romance and passion, which shouldn’t be the statement you’re making in an interview. 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.
It can also suggest that you’re not kind or sociable, but this can be proved incorrect in the room!
What does black say about you?
Everyone has worn black to an interview at some point in their lives. 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.
If you want to stay formal for your interview, this is the tone for you — it’ll also make you look more intelligent. However, bare in mind that there are some negatives to the colour black; this includes mourning. Be smart with how you choose to wear this colour!
What does white say about you?
Just like black, everyone wears white in the interview stage — we bet you’ve got a few white men’s shirts in your wardrobe. Research has suggested that the colour white was perceived to be the least arrogant colour which is always beneficial for an interview — you want your interviewer to like you. It’s also thought to make someone appear very optimistic!
You need to join forces with another colour though. Pair with a dark blue men’s blazer and matching pants to become the candidate that they’ll remember most.
What does blue say about you?
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!
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.”
What does grey say about you?
Dressing in grey, while popular, can be controversial . 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.
It also symbolises isolation! 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 colours should we be avoiding?
There are some obvious and not-so-obvious colours that you should stay away from when attending an interview. Colours that were found to attract negative connotations were orange, brown and surprisingly pink.
