Wearing the proper attire to the initial interview is critical when it comes to making a strong first impression. Not only does the perfect outfit serve to highlight your professionalism, but it also shows the interviewer that you have read and understood any of their own dress code requirements. Moreover, it demonstrates a large amount of self-motivation and self-confidence on your behalf.

Some interviews however, particularly those concerning the light industrial and manufacturing industries, have a bit of uniqueness when it comes to dress code. This type of job is bound to send you home with dirty clothes at the end of the workday. On the other hand, it’s still important that you paint yourself in a clean, professional and approachable manner during the initial recruitment, interview and orientation processes. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing an outfit for your next interview in the industry.

Dress Shirt

Regardless of whether you are a male or female, the shirt that you wear to an interview is likely the first thing an interviewer will notice about your attire. It’s important to spend some time ensuring that you have the right shirt. While you don’t necessarily need a silk dress shirt, a nice shirt, that is free from any holes, stains or large creases, is ideal. Shirts without any visible logos are usually preferred, though small brand logos may be acceptable in some cases.

Jeans

Whether or not it is acceptable to wear jeans to an interview is a highly debated topic. However, given the wide variety of jeans available today, it’s not uncommon to find a darker pair of jeans that resemble slacks or trousers. If you are going to wear jeans, its best to go with this style just to be on the safe side. This advice goes for both men and women in the light industrial or manufacturing sectors.

Suit and Tie

Unless you are pursuing a job in upper management, a tie is not necessary at all. In fact, some are adamantly against wearing a tie to an interview in this industry. In most cases, the presence of a tie amounts to “overdressing” for the job in question.

A formal suit, or pantsuit for females, would rarely be necessary for an interview within the light industrial or manufacturing industries. The only possible exception to this rule would be when interviewing for a senior-level or executive role, but even then it should be taken on a case-by-case basis.

In closing, if you are ever in doubt of what to wear to an interview, don’t be afraid to call one of our staffing coordinators to ask. It won’t hurt your chances of landing a job at all, and it ensures that you are dressed accordingly. Likewise, if you have any questions regarding the dress code after you’ve been hired, don’t hesitate to ask. A hiring manager would much rather have you ask ahead of time then show up without the appropriate clothing.

Work with a Top Industrial Staffing Agency

Automation Personnel Services places light industrial and technical employees throughout the U.S. We can help any motivated job seeker find their next employment opportunity. Contact our great team of industrial recruiters today to get started!