When you’ve secured an interview at your dream company, the first thing you think of is what to wear. 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.
There is one trick to win them over though — and it’s all about colour psychology. 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.
But which colours should you be wearing for your next interview? We take a look at some of the most popular colours to wear and what they say about your personality.
Rocking Red
We all know that red symbolises love and passion, which can be overpowering for a first 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.
There is a downside to this tone though. It can also suggest that you’re not kind or sociable, but this can be proved incorrect in the room!
Balling in Black
Black can sometimes be a favourite for interviewees to wear, but it shouldn’t be the only tone you take to an interview. 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.
This colour is often associated with formality and intelligence, two things that you want to portray at an interview. 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!
Working with White
By far the most common colour worn for an interview. 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, so if you don’t have a white men’s shirt already, now is your chance!
However, your white shirt shouldn’t enter the interview room alone. Pair with a dark blue men’s blazer and matching pants to become the candidate that they’ll remember most.
Brave in Blue
The colour blue really does offer a really positive vibe when in an interview. 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!
Even some of the most respected recruiters have stated this. 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.”
Going in Grey
Many interviewees don’t know where they stand when it comes to dressing in grey. 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.
On the other hand, however, it also connotes isolation which isn’t a great thing in an interview! 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.
Colours to avoid
There are some colours that you should be avoiding when it comes to interviews to ensure that you are presenting the best version of yourself. Colours that were found to attract negative connotations were orange, brown and surprisingly pink.
