What Shoes Should Applicants Should Wear To An Interview?
Even though many work places have become much more relaxed about dress codes, for a lot of organizations, professional appearance is of utmost importance. The way you present yourself on the day of your interview may speak volumes to your potential employer. Interview attire advice often focuses on suit colors and cuts for men and whether to wear a skirt or slacks for ladies and the color of either. Other articles of interview clothing are even more important. A case in point is shoes. For both men and women, wearing the best style and kind of shoes can frequently serve as the most crucial and most noticeable item of interview attire.
Here are a few tips on the shoes to wear to a job interview.
For Men
For males there are four types of shoes which are acceptable for interviews. There are from most to least formal: the black oxford shoe, the black brogue shoe, the black tassel loafer and finally the black dress penny loafer. All these shoes has a distinct style and message.
The heavy soled and big toed lace and slip-on shoes well-liked by younger men should be avoided.
Stay away from casual shoes such as weekend loafers or other very casual shoes with leather, rubber or plastics soles. Interviews like medical interview meant to be professional, so avoid casual footwear.
If attracted to a pair of shoes that would look great on the dance floor at a club or at a wild party, keep them for those events. Trendy is not an interview look unless you are a fashion designer or in the arts.
While a pair of Converse chucks might show your artsy side, and a couple of trainers may be the most comfortable choice, to make your best first impression, don’t wear sneakers to an interview for an office job.
For Ladies
The safest bet is to go with a classic and conservative style. Stay away from light colored shoes for interview and do not wear white shoes to an interview unless it is for a medical position.
While there are much more varieties of ladies’ shoes available than men’s, the styles that are right for interviews are a lot more small.
Avoid suede and do not wear shoes that have metallic sparkle, glitter or sequins for an interview (or for business ever).
The types of shoes that are right for ladies to wear for interviews fall into four categories: classic leather pump with a heel, the leather sling back style with a heel, the classic leather Mary Jane style shoe with a heel, the flat or ballet style shoe in leather.
Don’t wear flip-flops, mules, clogs or other open-heeled shoes.
Choose closed-toe pumps. Although offices don’t have a policy against open toe shoes, some do. It’s best to play it safe and find out the dress codes after you land the job, rather than to risk it on the interview.
In general:
Your shoes should be shined or buffed, scuff and dirt-free, and should not have any visible strains, rips or tears.
Leather, lace-up or slip-on business shoes, preferably black or cordovan.
Oversized shoe details, such as buckles, zippers, tassels or other embellishments, must generally be avoided.
The footwear must be leather or fabric / micro fiber.
The emphasis should be on you and your skills, and not on your shoes. Never mistake an interview or business function with a social event. Don’t dress for a party or a date.
Related Articles
