MBA students should dress for interview success.For many students, enrolling in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is a big step toward landing their dream job. As these individuals prepare for job interviews, they may update their resume, create a list of questions they would like to ask and make sure they know how to express their worth as a candidate.
However, some MBA degree seekers may be so concerned with sharing all of the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their studies that they fail to choose a suitable interview outfit.
"We are a visual society," David Zyla, an Emmy-award winning stylist and the author of "Color Your Style," told Bloomberg Businessweek. "Many times when you go into a job interview, the interviewer knows within seconds whether he'll call you for a second interview."
Here are a few fashion tips students should not forget if they wish to leave a good impression during an in-person interview:
Know What to Wear
Even if individuals will not be interviewing for the most fashionable position, they need to make a good first impression on whoever is interviewing them. According to Businessweek, men cannot go wrong with suits in neutral colors, such as traditional black, navy blue and charcoal gray, along with a crisp button-down shirt and a tie. Women should consider a skirt suit with a hem that falls at or below the knee.
MBA students would be wise to try on their clothes before they agree to an interview, as anything that does not fit should be replaced.
"You will look cheap and unprofessional if your clothes don't fit properly," Nicole Brewer, a New York-based image consultant, told Businessweek.
Dress for the Industry
When picking out their interview outfit, it is also a good idea for students to think about the line of work they wish to enter. If it happens to be finance, Pamela Holland, the chief operating officer for Brody Communications and the co-author of "Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move?," told Monster.com that professional attire with not a single hair out of place is recommended, due to the precision that is required of workers in this sector.
Meanwhile, Carole Martin, author of "Boost Your Interview IQ," told Monster that individuals interviewing for a job within human resources should look professional, authoritative and as if they could handle a crisis.