UK bosses give candidates a dressing down

- Pink, red and orange are a big NO at interview
- Forget dangly earrings girls, theyíll see you out of the door
- Chinos and polo shirt do not make the grade at first meeting
- Message from bosses, invest at least 300 in a good interview suit

Seventy six per cent of British bosses would decide against a job candidate because of their clothes, reveals a study of 500 senior executives released today by TheLadders.co.uk.

The UKís leading management careers site has found that bosses currently facing hundreds of interviews will make the decision to hire or fire based on the candidatesí clothes with 37% declaring that they have recently decided against hiring a candidate because of the way they dressed.

The strongest message to come out of the study of male and female executives was to invest in a good interview suit. Sixty seven per cent of bosses surveyed say that a good interview outfit should cost in excess of 300, with 94% saying an obviously cheap suit would have the candidate walking out of the door as quickly as they walked in.

Senior male and female executives were asked about all aspects of the interview dress code from colours and styles to quality and investment to find the outfits that impress and depress them at interview. Results were then analysed by independent fashion expert and stylist Gabrielle Teare to produce the perfect interview suit as well as tips on what not to wear to an interview.

The team found that traditional formal interview attire says ìhireî irrespective of market sector or industry. For men, a tailored navy single breasted suit (51% hire), white or blue long sleeved shirt (48% hire), black leather shoes (56% hire) and black socks (77% hire), low key tie (35% hire) and cufflinks (37% hire) and no handkerchief (35% hire) will send you on your way to your second interview in minutes. For women, a mid-length black skirt or dress (64% hire) with long sleeved and collared shirt or blouse (42% hire), tights (94% hire), high heels (69% hire) and pearls (56% hire) will leave a very positive impression on your future employer.

TheLadders.co.uk team headed by celebrity stylist and fashion writer Teare found that the biggest interview dress offences were casual gaffs; for men no tie (52% say fire), no jacket (50% say fire), chinos (50% say fire), polo shirts (66% say fire), jeans (82% say fire), T shirts (88% say fire) and leather jackets (70% say fire). For women short skirt (60% say fire), low necklines (95% say fire), sports shoes (91% say fire), dangling jewellery (99% say fire), bare legs (94% say fire). Surprisingly despite the new fashion for shoulder pads and eighties power dressing 97% of bosses say big shoulder pads are wrong for interview dressing.

However presentation was very important to the bosses consulted in the study. For 59% of interviewers, stains and dirty marks will see you out of the interview room immediately. 36% see co-ordination of colours and styles as an important indication of the candidateís personality whilst 75% will look at whether your clothes are ìappropriate for the circumstancesî. One third of those studied also said they would consider whether the candidateís style suited their organisation. Orange is the worst colour to wear at interview with 95% of bosses surveyed saying the colour was unacceptable. Red (84%) and pink (83%) were also deemed inappropriate.

Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk and the man responsible for hiring a major team for his UK business says: ìSo much time is spent looking at what to communicate verbally in an interview and yet candidates often rummage at the back of the wardrobe for the old interview suit long past its sell by date. What you communicate non-verbally, your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed form an immediate impression with your interviewer. These first impressions are nearly always impossible to reverse or undo. Your suit sets the tone for the interview so make it the right one.

International Fashion Stylist Gabrielle Teare says: ìSo often people make little mistakes that leave a bad impression. Stick to safe corporate colours navy, black. Wear a suit or dress and jacket. Keep heels elegant rather than teeteringly high. A skirt suit is more feminine than trousers. Keep make up soft, do not wear too much jewellery. Beware of showing too much flesh, cleavage or leg and of dressing too casually. Aim to be well groomed, elegant and professional, you will have more confidence and this will come across to the interviewer.î