I walked into the Big Boss’ room where five other faculty members were waiting for me. No, I was not the candidate. I was the faculty who required a research assistant. For this purpose, a special interview had been arranged for a candidate who had come highly recommended.
As I sat down and went through the candidate’s file, I was amazed by the weighty recommendation letters, with a couple of them from some big shot politicians. While I was still wondering what the politicians’ letters had to do with her work or abilities, she entered the room. Before I even saw her, I heard her. Or rather, I heard her jangling bangles.
I looked up at her and simply stared. She was a smug looking woman wearing a dark green, shiny suit, dupatta slipping off her shoulders every second, full make up with red painted lips, kajal in her eyes, gold chains hanging in her neck, bangles tinkling at every movement of her hand, sindoor in her hair, the very epitome of a married Indian woman. She smiled around confidently and started rattling off her super-abilities and her fantastic award list in a thin, high pitched voice. A few more questions and then silence in the room.
Everyone was looking at me- since I had to hire her, for all practical terms. The Big Boss cleared his throat and said, “Well, Sujata ?”
I could not answer. I was paralysed as I was lost in a ghastly and a horrifying day dream. I was imagining her bending over a scientific experiment with the dupatta falling in the gel tray. I was picturizing her setting up protein crystallization trials with her thick gold chains hanging in my delicate crystal trays. I was seeing her freshening up her lipstick while the water bath on the hot plate burned to hell. Worst, I was imagining her giving a presentation to a bunch of world famous scientists in an international conference in her bejeweled glory with her bangles jangling away.
I shook my head vigorously to come back to reality and saw the Big Boss looking at me in an understanding way. He knows me too well and he must have guessed what’s going on in my mind.
“Er…er… I have no vacancies right now.” I spoke.
Saying so, I fled, leaving the candidate and my colleagues staring at my vanishing figure in surprise. You see, I am bad at rejection speeches. I hate to hurt anyone. If I have to say ‘No’ to someone, I’d rather disappear and let others do my dirty work.
In this case, it was the dress code that sealed the candidate’s fate. So what are the rules of power dressing that get you what you are aiming for , that is the job of your dreams ?
1. Dress code
Every company has a dress code. Go, study that. You have every chance of getting hired if you dress as a future employee. The idea is to make your future employer totally at ease with you and the most important way to do that, is to dress like other employees in the firm or company.
2. Stick to blues, whites and blacks
The safest colors to wear at an interview are blue, black and white. And I mean that. Nothing works like a blue pin striped business shirt with black trousers (for both men and women). Girls, if you just can’t do without wearing indian clothes, then go for whites and pastels in suits and sarees. Do NOT wear reds, oranges and dark pinks. Your future boss will find it very hard to trust you if you are shining like a traffic light. And pin up those hanging scarves and dupattas, for God’s sake.
3. Accessories
Leave them home. That’s the golden rule. I can’t stress enough on the no-accessories look if you want a decent job in a reputed company. Anything that shines, jangles or twinkles is out. If you go to any interview looking like a Christmas tree, then you can forget about that job. It distracts the people who are interviewing you and makes you look like an insincere, foolish sissy for whom work is the last priority.
4. Shoes
Black, leather and shiny. Shoes in good condition give an impression that you are well turned out, careful and a trustworthy person. Dusty and cracked shoes immediately put you in the lackadaisical and careless category. And girls, high heels are a no-no. Stick to medium heels with a sensible cut.
5. Hair
Get a good haircut which gives you a well groomed and smart look. Avoid the bollywood hero style (please !) and girls, make sure your hair are not flopping on your face. Do not walk into a board room with permed or coloured hair, if possible.
6. Make up
This one is for girls only. Put the bare minimum makeup. Just something to make you look pretty but for heaven’s sake, do not give an impression that you need to reapply that lipstick every five minutes. Go for light pinks and earthy browns for lip color and ditch that blush and eye shadow, unless you are applying for a job of a model or an actress.
Remember, in an interview, the candidate has about twenty minutes to give your best impression which can land the job of your dreams. Also remember, the moment he/she see you, your future employer is already doing mental gymnastics imagining you as his future employee. If you don’t come up to his expectations, you are shown the door. And if you fit in comfortably in his vision, you’ve got the job ! Congratulations !