Trying to land her dream job at a fashion company, Taya Reed knew a strong first impression would be essential. How she dressed was going to matter.
A London-based science graduate from two of the capital’s top universities, the 23-year-old had applied for a marketing role at womenswear brand Tala. She had done her research and even prepared a promotional campaign for the business. But she also gave careful thought to what she would wear for the interviews — one online, one in person.
“I find outfits can be a good conversation starter,” she says. For the main interview, she chose an all-white ensemble: a long maxi skirt, a white vest and ballet flats — “girly and summery.”
“I wanted to show I fit in with the company’s culture.”
It worked. Reed got the job last month.
With youth unemployment remaining stubbornly high on both sides of the Atlantic, young adults need every possible edge in interviews. While substance is essential, research shows appearance still counts. A 2020 UK study found that 51% of employers had rejected a candidate because of the way they looked, citing factors such as scruffy clothes or poorly dyed hair.
Min-Hsuan Tu, a professor of human resources at the University at Buffalo and lead author of a 2021 paper on the subject, notes that interviews can be unfair from the moment a candidate walks in. Attractive people are hired more often, she says, because people tend to associate good looks with positive traits such as trustworthiness and intelligence.
Those perceived as attractive often receive more positive attention and preferential treatment from childhood, helping them develop stronger non-verbal communication skills and greater confidence. “Studies show that attractive people tend to have better communication skills and networks. They also have a higher sense of power,” Tu explains. Physical attractiveness, she adds, is not limited to face or body shape — clothing and make-up also play a significant role. Making an effort to present well is important.
Matt Cohen, a 31-year-old American who moved to London two years ago, focused on projecting quiet confidence in his recent interviews. After sending out more than 100 cover letters and nearly a year of searching, the marketing master’s graduate finally secured an entry-level executive role at a media company this month.
Even though many people at the company wore T-shirts, Cohen chose a long-sleeved button-down shirt. “It’s important that I appear professional, especially because I want to show I’m prepared if we have meetings with clients,” he says. He also trimmed his beard and made sure his hair was neatly cut.
Beyond appearance, Cohen paid close attention to non-verbal cues: maintaining good eye contact, nodding, and showing engagement. One mental technique helped him stay calm and build rapport. “I pretend they’re already my friends and already offered me the job, and this interview is just about figuring out the details,” he says. “I try to go into a zone — it usually works. I try to seem in control.”
Caroline Hickey, a London-based career coach who advised both Reed and Cohen, agrees that appearances matter, particularly in a competitive market. “Showing that you have taken care of your appearance and have professionally presented yourself is an unconscious signal to the interviewer that you are taking the opportunity seriously,” she says. It also makes it easier for the interviewer to picture the candidate in the office or in front of clients. Knowing you look good, she adds, boosts confidence.
Madeline Drucker, 21, from Short Hills, New Jersey, found the same principle applied to video interviews. She recently secured two internships this way. “I definitely prepared the same way I would for an in-person interview,” she says. “I would do my hair, put on make-up, wear a nice sweater, and make sure my video background is clear and blurred so the interviewers are focused on me.
“When I feel like I look good, I feel more confident and perform better.” She chose green, her favourite colour, and wore a ring and bracelet she could fidget with off-screen to stay calm. “I’m a fidgeter, and that’s distracting. The bracelet helps.”
For Reed, preparation also included practical steps to manage nerves. Before her in-person interview, she did some deep breathing in a nearby park. “I tried my best to be super-relaxed, even if I was stressed inside,” she says. “I’m so glad it worked out.”