Since 2020, comfort in the workplace has meant dressing like a news anchor – top-only. But as interviews bounce back to being in-person, dressing for work now looks a little different.
There’s a science to dressing comfortably confident – or com-fident as we like to call it. So how can you use it to nail your interview?
The power of perception
Making the right impression at your interview starts with your wardrobe. Psychologist, Frank Bernieri, discovered it only takes ten seconds for someone to form an opinion. No pressure. So how do you make sure it’s a positive one?
The colour you wear says more than you think, and Cornell University found some are better than others. Colours like blue hint you’re trustworthy, honest and credible. Whereas bright colours like orange are creative, but appear ‘unprofessional’. So pick your colours carefully when getting ready for your interview.
How do you dress confidently?
Confident traits include self-awareness, being able to think objectively and actively listening to others. So how do you bring some of that pizazz into your wardrobe to boost your confidence?
Scientists, Adam and Galinsky developed a theory called enclothed cognition. This is the feeling of power you get from wearing clothing someone you admire also owns. So whether it’s a celebrity ‘it’ dress or your Uncle John’s tie – that key piece is sure to give you a confidence boost.
How does comfort equal confidence?
You don’t need us to tell you dressing comfortably helps put you at ease. But in an interview environment, ‘comfortable’ dressing doesn’t mean track pants and bunny slippers. Instead, something you know looks good will help you feel good too. And when that’s covered, the rest is up to you.
So now you know how to be com-fident for your interview. Think about how you want to stand out and what you’ll wear to give yourself a confidence boost. Once you shake hands, sit down and start the interview, you’ll be ready to land that new job.
