While preparing for an interview, you might be focused on what to say, what to bring, and your outfit, but did you know the colors you choose can also influence your interviewer’s impression?
It’s true! Colors can subtly communicate different messages about your personality and professionalism. While your color choices don’t define you, it’s worth considering how they might be subconsciously perceived. Before you grab your favorite red blazer or those lucky pink socks, let’s explore some common color associations and how they might play a role in your interview.
Red
Red is an intense interview color, and that’s what it says about the wearer. This color is associated with passion, energy, and strength, but also with danger and war. It can be a risky choice for interviews because while this color can come across as energetic and confident, the wearer can also be perceived as hot-headed or quick to anger.
Due to its powerful impression, it’s best to avoid large quantities of red in an interview.
Blue
Blue is an interview color that denotes intelligence, wisdom, sincerity, and calmness. Blue also has a calming influence, with measurable effects on the human mind and metabolism.
A candidate wearing blue will give the effect of capability and composure. They might not be high-energy, but they are level-headed and capable. It also might put the interviewer at ease in the interview setting.
Green
Green has a youthful energy and lightness. This color symbolizes growth, life, safety, and peace, though on the flip side, green can also portray inexperience.
A candidate wearing green interview clothing might come across as youthful and safe, and in most work settings a calming, peaceful impression would be a good choice. To avoid the impression of inexperience, try a darker hue of green.
Yellow
Yellow is obviously a very cheerful interview color, giving a sense of cheerfulness, lightness, and happiness. Like red though, yellow also conveys a disregard for attention, indicating that this color lends some leadership attributes. However, it can also be seen as overwhelming, so it’s best to use it as a pop of color rather than as the main color of your outfit.
White
This color, or shade rather, represents cleanliness, perfection, innocence, and purity. Anything white has the impression of being new.
A white shirt is always one of the best interview colors, just make sure it’s really white! That impression of perfection and safety will be nullified by an off-white or dirty-looking article.
White also has the bonus of pairing nicely with any other interview color you have chosen.
Black
Black is common in business attire and denotes strength, elegance, and formality. To be fair, it’s also associated with death, mystery, and the unknown.
In an interview setting, black is a good choice, just don’t wear too much of it. Like white, black pairs nicely with most other interview colors and says you respect the formality of the interview and the authority of the hiring company.
Avoid matching black with brown, charcoal, or dark gray. You don’t want to make your outfit look mismatched, and the human eye picks up on even subtle shade differences.
Ultimately, the best color to wear to an interview is the one that makes you feel confident and comfortable. However, keeping in mind the potential implications of different colors can help you make a more informed decision.
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