When it comes to job preparation, the majority of us spend as long on our appearance as we do on our answers. After all, if you don’t know the best way to present yourself, even a winning interview could be a washout. Though it’s sad to say it, personality can only get you so far here. After all, what boss in their right mind would hire someone who doesn’t look fit for clients? Remember, too, that many sources state an interviewer makes their decision within as little as seven minutes. That’s before you’ve even got into the body of the interview! So, you can be sure your appearance goes a long way towards their choice.
But, while most of us know about the importance of our outfits, our footwear rarely comes into the equation. Yet, if you treat footwear as an afterthought, you could hinder your chances in more ways than you realize. Not only do your shoes make a difference to your outfit, but they also say more about you than you might think. And, we’re going to look at how you can ensure they send the right message.
Heels
In truth, heels don’t have much of a place in modern offices. It isn’t surprising given they’re not exactly practical. But, they may still have a place in an interview setting. These work well because they give an illusion of height and power. While you don’t want to overshadow the person interviewing you, you do want to possess as much space in that room as possible. To get this right, consider the height of your heels. Going too extreme won’t work. Equally, the illusion will shatter if you can’t walk in the pair you choose. Remember that even a small wedge heel could work here, so try things out and decide how far you can go.
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Break away from black
A successful interview hinges on your ability to stand out. While breaking away from black shoes might not seal the deal, it can prove that you aren’t afraid to do things differently. Of course, in most cases, opting for bright colored shoes won’t serve you here. It’s still important to appear professional. But, brown options like the Eryn Chestnut Lustre shoes currently on sale at Alegria Shoes could be all it takes to make this work. Brown is still professional and neutral. Yet, it shows some level of daring compared with the safe black options most candidates wear.
Get clean
Whatever you do, you NEED to make sure you polish your shoes to perfection before your interview. If you’re walking, it might even be worth taking along a can of polish with you in case of accidents on the way. It might seem extreme, but scuffs on your shoes will send all the wrong messages. Not only will they look unprofessional, but they’ll also reveal you as someone who doesn’t take pride in their work. And, that’s obviously not the impression you want to give to a potential employer!
