What’s the Best Color for a Job Interview? What Do Your Colors Say About You?

If there was ever a time for a fresh start, an exciting time to give your life that once-over, redo your home, or even look at your personal life and make a change, this is it! 

It’s the time of year perfect for rebranding, re-establishing, and rethinking how we do things. From health routines to the design or function of your home to fashion, spring is a chance to start fresh. It’s the time to blossom alongside the world of nature right outside your front door. 

Spring is a time when many people are on the hunt for new jobs or career changes. The depths of winter are over, and the motivation to move on, better your situation, and find a different path is high. I have been interviewed a few times recently about how the colors we wear can say something about who we are. So, here’s the big question: what’s the best color for a job interview!?

In this article, I will provide some color/fashion suggestions for what to wear. While there is no perfect color for everyone, the best color for your next job interview is the color that best represents who you are and what you can bring to the position! 

Let’s examine the use of color in our fashion choices. What colors we wear should be taken seriously. Read on; it could make a big difference in your life!

The Best Color for a Job Interview – What Do Different Colors Say About You?

As a color specialist/color expert, there’s not one moment of the day my mind is consciously ( and unconsciously) thinking about color! It’s just how I tick, so I have more than a few opinions regarding color and fashion. Unlike, let’s say, an interior wall of a kitchen or bathroom, fashion choices will change colors daily. What colors/color arrangements you choose to wear on a particular day is a statement of how you feel about yourself and how you want the world to see you, which is why the color choice on the day of a job interview should not be a carefree decision, but rather a decision you give serious consideration to! 

Depending on your personality and the type of role you’re interviewing for, choosing between subtle and bold colors should be your first consideration. For example, subtle, soft, and neutral-leaning colors will present a more conservative, professional, traditional, and steadfast demeanor. In contrast, bolder, louder colors will read more lively, creative, outspoken, and non-traditional. Of course, if you want to land somewhere between those different attitudes, you can mix up your ensemble! Let’s see the story that each color can tell.

Colors in the Context of Fashion:

White is synonymous with purity and cleanliness; white signifies a person who maintains impeccable efficiency in their endeavors. Dressing in all white is a striking look, but it may come across as a little odd at an interview, so I would recommend off-whites, either on the cooler or warmer side of the spectrum, to accompany it. 

Blue, ranging from lighter grayish tones to deep navy, is a classic, common, and reliable choice for an interview. It evokes a sense of trustworthiness and professionalism. Blue is a calming color, so in an interview, it will present as collected and well-balanced. Blue is a safe choice that many people ultimately choose to go with. 

Red is a color of passion and conviction; it exudes confidence and authority and suggests a strong dedication to one’s work. However, its intensity should be moderated to avoid overwhelming the interviewer. Combining red accents with more neutral attire can strike a balanced impression; too much red can unintentionally set off the alarm bells.

Pink hues (soft pinks rather than hot pinks) convey a relaxed and approachable demeanor. Pink is a friendly and, dare I say, slightly romantic color; opting for subdued shades of pink signals amiability and an accepting nature within a workplace environment.

Greens evoke feelings of refreshment, vitality, wisdom, and earnest confidence. Dark green is a timeless and appealing choice for a job interview ensemble. Even while being a confident choice, it is still perceived as neutral. Lighter greens will present as more relaxed and free-flowing but without being judgmental. 

Yellow is a trickier choice, but under the right circumstances, its joyous, sunny, and spirited disposition can be exactly what is needed to land the role. Yellow suggests that the candidate is enthusiastic, approachable, and fun-loving, qualities that can be appealing in a team environment. 

Be True to Yourself!

HR Teams, owners, and managers go through the interview process many times a week or month, so if it were as simple as picking the best-looking color to wear on that day, we’d have many unqualified candidates filling many positions. 

While the color of your outfit isn’t the silver bullet to getting hired, it can help present your personality. If the world were a sea of people all wearing black suits in a corporate hiring environment, think about that for a moment; that is reason enough to wear a color so that you will stand out from the crowd, whether you are wearing a subtle color or a visually appealing blend of colors. Whoever is in charge of hiring wants to know your personality and whether it will fit their company culture or not. 

So be yourself, and let that personality shine through! You’ll end up right where you should, and ironically, wearing the right color might just help you get there!