Interview Help Ideas.

Sep 3, 2014

Jenny B.

Hi I was wonder what kind of makeup and hair sytles should I do for an interview? and I also plan on wearing a peach pencil skirt and a blue button up shirt tucked. Please help me dolls.

Sep 3, 2014

Jenny B.

thanks alexis(:

Sep 3, 2014

Z M.

Well first of all...what kind of job is it?

Sep 3, 2014

Jenny B.

Its an interview for wells fargo bank.

Sep 3, 2014

Kaitlyn C.

I would keep it very simple and classy. I agree with a sleek bun and natural makeup! Good luck love :)

Sep 3, 2014

Jenny B.

Thank you so much kaitlyn I think ima see if I can do the hair style you put up, thanks so much girls (:

Sep 3, 2014

Emily W.

I think that photo has too much makeup for an interview outside of a beauty industry job (cosmetics counters, etc.).

Minimal and natural is how you want to go. Sheer foundation if any, no contour, no bronzer, minimal if any blush. A little bit of brown or charcoal grey liner smudged slightly into the lashes, and mascara. Lipstick should be nude (that's what I agree with in that photo).

**You want the focus to be on your resume and your interview.** This is the big rule for anything style/makeup related. This is why you dress conservatively and professionally, and avoid bright colors/patterns. This is why you don't wear lots of jewelry, or fake nails, or an intricate hairdo. With that in mind...

A full face (even applied flawlessly like in the photo) may look totally normal to makeup enthusiasts like us, but can be intimidating for those who do not wear makeup. I once had a manager who mentioned that he felt iffy about a candidate because she had her makeup completely done and he was concerned that she would be "late all the time, and high maintenance." I asked him what he meant and he said that it had to have taken a long time to get ready, and somebody who goes to that much trouble with makeup "has a reason for wearing a mask." Yes, his thinking was wrong, and pretty sexist to boot, but you never know what kind of personal biases an interviewer might have. It is easier to play it safe.

Another thing I see recommended a lot is the "wing liner, red lip" combo. This is not professional interview makeup. This look is associated with pinups for a reason: the elongation of the eye from a cat eye or wing is considered "exotic" beauty, and a red lip is seductive. You do not want anything about you to give off the impression that you are "provocative".

A couple more things that I rarely see mentioned but are often considered at interviews in the overall impression of a candidate (yes, we look at details like this). Fingernails should be clean and well groomed, and not distracting (no dark colors, bright colors, glitter, nail art, unnatural shapes, long acrylics, etc.). If you decide to wear polish, a sheer natural pink (or peach depending on your natural nail color) that has no chips or bubbles is the most appropriate. If you have fake nails and can't get them removed, make sure they are short, rounded (no " duck feet" or "stiletto claws") and either a solid neutral color or a conservative natural French manicure.

Perfume is a HUGE DEAL. Skip it in favor of deodorant, or only use the tiniest amount. First, you never know if the person/people interviewing you are sensitive to smells or have other issues (e.g. asthma). Second, scent is a powerful trigger for memories. I have heard a manager say that between two equally qualified candidates, one didn't get it because she was wearing the same perfume his ex-wife wore, and he couldn't stand working with that smell in his office all day. Again, you never know what personal biases an interviewer may have.

Hair is a little more lenient. It is widely accepted that a low ponytail with your hair pulled back is the most professional. It is out of your face, it isn't " fussy", it isn't severe. A bun can be acceptable if it isn't too tight (you don't want to look like an evil school librarian). Really you just want your hair to be clean, neat, and out of your face.

Sep 6, 2014

Z M.

You definitely don't want to wear a peach pencil skirt and a blue shirt...don't go all colorful keep it professional looking