The Importance of Colour

Colour Comes First

When preparing for a job interview, the colour of your clothes is one of the last things on an interviewee’s mind. While the colour of your clothing may not be the deciding factor of whether or not a company will hire you, it is a proven fact that there are deeply rooted psychological feelings behind colours. Choosing the “right” colours for your interview may influence the initial impression your interviewer has of you. It is a job interview, and since you’re going in you may as well pull out all the stops!

There are no clear cut rules of colour; one colour does not always work for everyone. It’s vital to remember that above all of the rules of dressing and style that you feel confidant about yourself and your appearance. Colour is only enhancing the great things about you. In addition, take into account your interview situation. What industry are you applying to? If you are applying to a traditional business profession only use an accent of colour near your face that compliments your eyes. This will draw attention to your eyes and improve eye-contact. If you are applying for a job within the fashion or design industry, bolder use of colour and prints may demonstrate your creative flair.

As a general rule I recommend my clients to choose a well tailored suit (this is imperative!) in a neutral colour such as black, charcoal, grey, navy, dark brown or tan. Your suit should always be immaculate and perfectly pressed; it proves your attention to details. I then suggest a shirt/tie or accessory near the face that compliments eye colour. For ladies, a necklace, earrings or scarf in a colour that matches your eyes works well. Keep your accent colours about the waist and simple. Always remember not to go overboard with the complimentary colour. This colour should be used sparingly, not as a distraction from the most important part of the interview – you.

Having your colours determined for you by an image consultant is a life-long investment that will help you to look your best. Many people feel that they understand which colours look good on them, but there is a real science to choosing a person’s colours. Sometimes the colours I choose for people are shades that they would have never expected to suit them.

Colours themselves have psychological profiles and meanings. There have been studies done to prove that people get anxious and energetic from the colour red, or that babies are most likely to cry in yellow rooms. Hospitals have found that patients are likely to recover more swiftly in a green room. Colour has a deep psychological connection to us as human beings. First impressions are determined in the first 15 seconds of meeting someone, paying attention to these colour profiles will help you to choose the right hue.

Black: Black is a colour of authority and power, it is a shade that demands respect and seriousness. Black is timeless and almost always fashionable, it can slim the physique and is a great backdrop for most accent colours. Despite being fashionable, black does not always look great with everyone’s colouring so it is important to know which colours look best on you.

Blue: Blue is one of the most popular colour choices for men and women. Blue is one of the most recommended colours to wear to an interview due to its many flattering shades, and its association with loyalty. Policemen, IBM employees, and newscasters all prefer to wear the colour blue. It has also been reported that when salesmen wear blue they make better sales, further proving the point that blue promotes feelings of trustworthiness and loyalty.

Brown: Brown and tan hues are also a recommended accent colour to use for an interview, it inspires feelings of reliability and stability. A dark brown rouses feelings of acceptability and assurance. Brown is a practical colour, the shade of the earth and all that is organic. When you wear brown, people listen to what you have to say.

Pink: Pink is generally not a great colour to wear to an interview for men or for women. On a man pink is overly feminine and difficult to pull off. For a woman to wear a pink suit it implies the youthfulness of girlhood and you might not be taken seriously.

Yellow: Is definitely an attention-getter. Yellow traditionally is thought of as an optimistic colour and also improves concentration (ever wonder why legal pads are yellow?). Yellow is an acceptable colour for men to wear in ties and is an “up” colour.

Green: Green reminds people of nature, it is a calm and refreshing colour to the eye. A darker green is masculine, conservative, and also the colour of money. Green is a great colour to wear to an interview; there are many flattering shades for all skin tones.

Purple: Use purple carefully, light purples are considered feminine, but a deep purple or plum is currently very in fashion for men and women. Purple inspires feelings of luxury and wealth, dating back from the Middle Ages when kings and queens were adorned in plush robes in rich purple hues.

Red: Red is a colour of power and strength. Bright reds can appear to be flashy and self-centered, while darker shades of red are still eye-catching, a deep shade of maroon is not too over the top. For a job interview bright red should be generally avoided, as it comes off too vigorous to potential employers but once you got that job, red is a great colour to wear!

Keep these colour tips in mind next time you prepare yourself for an interview. Colour may not always be the first thing to spring to mind, but pay attention to how you react to colour in the world around you. A bright red “Sale!” sign catches your attention. The word sale was not what caught your eye, it was the bright eye-catching colour of the sign that caused you to stop and look. Always remember, colour comes first.

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