Colour Psychologists Reveal the Colours You Should Wear in an Interview

As we all know, going to an interview can be tense, and that’s before you decide what to wear. You want to strike the balance between looking good and showing off your personality without compromising the performance of your 30-minute interrogation with one of the high-brow bosses.

Colour psychology has been around for many years, it’s the study of colour and its impact on our thoughts and behaviours. Although qualifications, experience and work ethic play a huge part in the interview process, dressing in a particular way can build up a great first impression and help you secure the job.

So, what hues should you be wearing when you attend an interview? We take a look at some of the most popular colours to wear and what they say about your personality.

Black

As you might’ve guessed, black is one colour that many people choose to wear for an interview. Think of other colours that can be paired with this hue, as it is extremely versatile and using another colour on our list could boost your presence.

Black is synonymous with formality and intelligence. However, bear in mind that there are some negatives to the colour black; this includes mourning. Be smart with how you choose to wear this colour!

Grey

What springs to mind when we see the colour grey? We all know that sometimes darker tones don’t propel the best message, but reports suggest that this colour communicates independence; this is something that many employers are looking for.

It has been said that grey gives of the impression of isolation. You want to make sure that you come across as a team player and someone who is actually going to contribute something beneficial to their company.

White

White is another popular choice for interview attire. Research has suggested that the colour white was perceived to be the least arrogant colour which is always beneficial for an interview – you want your interviewer to like you. It’s also thought to make someone appear very
optimistic!

Pair with a dark blue blazer for men and matching pants to become the candidate that they’ll remember most.

Blue

For a look that’s positive, try adding blue to your look. The hue demonstrates that someone is a team player, trustworthy and has a lot of confidence. If this sounds like something you’d like to showcase, this hue might just be for you!

What do recruiters say about this colour? Lisa Johnson Mandell at AOL Jobs commented: “Studies show that navy blue is the best colour for a suit to wear to a job interview, because it inspires confidence. You are more likely to get the job when you wear navy blue to an interview than any other colour.”

Red

We all know that red is associated with romance, but this might not be something you want to portray in a job interview. If you’re looking to demonstrate power – perhaps you are applying for a senior position – red can be a good reflection of this character trait. Studies have shown that this colour can actually boost a wearers confidence, which might be a good shout if you’re slightly nervous for the big day. The study also went on to show that the tone can display good health and being financially sound, which of course is something every company admires.

There are some downsides to this colour though. It can also suggest that you’re not kind or sociable, but this can be proved incorrect in the room!

Colours to avoid

Stay clear of orange, brown and pink as these had negative connotations.

This article was written in collaboration with QuizMan.