How should I dress for a job interview in France? Mister Bilingue is here to run through the rules to follow before getting dressed. Put the odds on your side!
Your dressing gown, a tank top and slippers in the shape of unicorns: you probably wouldn't walk down the street in this outfit, would you? The same goes for a professional interview!
If you want to land the job of your dreams, it's important to make a good impression and fit in with the company, especially when it comes to the dress code.
When every company is different, how can you choose the best outfit ahead of an interview? Mister Bilingue is here with the five commandments to follow for making a good impression on your recruiter.
Ready to delve into your wardrobe? Time for a professional fitting!
Do you really want to integrate yourself into the company? Understanding the dress code of its employees is a good place to start! You should do some research into the company you're applying to ahead of your interview to make sure that you're not totally blindsided when faced with questions from your recruiter.
As you collect relevant information about your future employer, take the opportunity to learn more about the clothing style of its employees, and especially if there is a specific dress code within the company. Some companies, for example, prefer a suit for men and women, especially in the business sectors.
You may find that there are differences in clothing from department to department within the same company. On the one hand, salespeople, for example, may have the habit of dressing to a higher standard as they are responsible for representing the company to customers. Whereas creatives, for example, often have more freedom over their style.
Again, it depends on the company in question, and it's for this reason that we recommend taking a look at the exit of the office to get a more specific idea. After all, it would be a shame to arrive in a t-shirt and sneakers for your interview if everyone else is in a tie, and vice versa!
Being well dressed is important for making a good first impression in an interview, but it's not everything. A professional recruiter will always favor the background over the presentation, so if style isn't your strong point, don't worry.
The most important thing for an interview is that you feel comfortable. If you happen to have a few favorite items of clothing that make you feel particularly comfortable and give you an extra confidence boost, you might want to consider wearing them for your interview (except, perhaps, if that happens to be your bathrobe)!
If you want to avoid making a mistake at all costs, you can simply opt for sober and safe clothes, with neutral, solid colors. Even if your outfit does nothing to intrigue the recruiter, at least you'll come off as professional.
Are you more of an extrovert in life? Why not show your recruiter that through your choice of clothes? Adding a contrasting color to your attire or a specific accessory are possible ways to share a little more personal information about yourself with the recruiter.
Interviews are generally quite formal and focused on the job in question, so it may be a good idea to reveal a little more about your personality non-verbally. A recruiter will have an easier time remembering the candidate who wore a Mickey Mouse watch or a pair of vintage blue glasses than the one who dressed in a completely unremarkable outfit. Steer clear of major fashion faux pas all the same by avoiding overly bright colors or shades that disagree with your complexion!
Be careful to gauge the company's level of flexibility on clothing well in advance and stay within the lines. Someone who is too extroverted could be perceived as being a little all over the place or lacking in seriousness if they take things a step too far in the interview.
That's why we advise you against turning up in a cocktail dress or sporting a monocle and a cane if you really want to have luck on your side!
It may seem obvious, but it's always good to remember: don't turn up in dirty clothes! Non-verbal communication is an important part of an interview, and your clothes can say a lot about you. If your clothes appear creased or in poor condition, the recruiter may consider that a sign of bad hygiene or poor organization. Similarly, if your clothes smell of cigarettes or sweat, this could send a negative non-verbal message to your interviewer.
Getting your hair cut or even stopping off at a nail bar can also be useful if you want to put your best foot forward with a recruiter.
Again, there's no need to go overboard if this feels alien to you, the important thing is that the recruiter gets to find out more about you and your professional qualifications. So above all, make sure to focus on the questions they might send your way!
Small exception: if you're applying for the next edition of Miss or Mr France, these are very different circumstances and we strongly recommend seeking a fashion professional's opinion!
To finish off our beauty tips, we've compiled a short list all the small details that may seem trivial but are important to remember before an interview:
Have you turned your wardrobe upside down? Don't worry, it's over now!
With all of this advice under your belt, you now have the best chance of arriving at your job interview with full confidence. All the better for making an excellent impression on your recruiter!
If you don't know how a job interview goes in France, no fear, we've written a full article on the subject! And if you haven't started looking for a job yet, we've even prepared an article all about your job search!
We hope you found this advice useful and wish you all the best in your job search.
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