I’m a career counselor – this is the really important step that you should NEVER skip before a job interview

We’re told never to judge a book by its cover, but there’s one area where we should pay attention to our appearance, according to an employment expert.

Erin McGoff is a New York-based career educator who has advised people to make sure they choose the right outfit when going for a job interview.

“There’s something called the ‘halo effect,’ where we tend to attribute positive qualities we find in one person’s appearance to the rest of his or her features,” she explained. CNBC.

If you want to make the best first impression, Erin says your style will put you in a good light as soon as you enter a room.

Erin McGoff is a New York-based career educator who has advised people to make sure they choose the right outfit when going for a job interview

'There is such a thing as the "halo effect," where we tend to attribute positive qualities found in one person's appearance to the rest of his or her characteristics,

“There’s something called the ‘halo effect,’ where we tend to attribute positive qualities we find in one person’s appearance to the rest of his or her features,” she explained.

Dressed to impress! What to wear for your next job interview

  • If employees wear uniforms at work, wear smart casual (jeans, blazers, blouses or neutral T-shirts)
  • If you see employees sporting smart casual, go for business casual (pants, dresses, button-down shirts and sweaters)
  • If the employees wear business casual, go for the business professional look (suits, ties, pantsuits, long skirts, heels or loafers)

“It sounds strange, but looking your best is very important during a job interview,” Erin said.

‘So when you look good, it subconsciously communicates to the interviewer that you are a put-together person.

‘We feel how we look, so when you feel clean and cared for, you subconsciously appear more confident.’

But if you’re not sure how to dress, the career expert offered a few tips and advised to “always err on the side of overdressing.”

Erin suggests that if employees wear uniforms at work, they should wear smart casual, including jeans, blazers, blouses or neutral T-shirts.

If you see employees sporting smart casual, go for business casual.

You can put on pants, dresses, button-up shirts, and sweaters to get the look.

If employees wear business casual, go for the business, professional look.

These fashionable fits include suits and ties, pantsuits, long skirts, heels or loafers.

Erin posted a TikTok video that visually showcases the looks of smart casual, business casual and business professional for her followers.

Her video has over 1.6 million views, 141,800 likes and many supportive comments.

Erin suggests paying attention to what other employees are doing to nail the look of your office

If employees wear uniforms, go for a smart-casual look, including jeans and blazers

Erin suggests that if employees wear uniforms at work, they should wear smart casual, including jeans, blazers, blouses or neutral T-shirts.

If you see employees sporting smart casual, wear business casual

You can put on pants, dresses, button-up shirts, and sweaters to get the look

If you see employees sporting smart casual, wear business casual. You can put on pants, dresses, button-up shirts, and sweaters to get the look

If the employees are wearing business casual, go for the business, professional look

These fashionable fits include suits and ties, pantsuits, long skirts, heels or loafers

If the employees are wearing business casual, go for the business, professional look. These fashionable fits include suits and ties, pantsuits, long skirts, heels or loafers

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Erin's TikTok video has over 1.6 million views, 141,800 likes and many supportive comments

Erin’s TikTok video has over 1.6 million views, 141,800 likes and many supportive comments

One person who tried Erin’s recommendations wrote: ‘Your advice is that I get a second interview!!! Thank you!’

Another complimented her: “I love this. It shows that you understand the company culture!’

Other commenters who grew up with the same ingrained advice wrote, “I’ve always followed the mentality of ‘dress for the job you want… not the job you have.’

“I learned in high school to always dress two jobs higher than what you’re interviewing for,” a fourth person added.

“My first job at 16 was at Dairy Queen and I actually wore a pantsuit to my job interview,” someone else wrote.

Fellow professional fashionistas joined the conversation, writing, “Honestly, every interview I’ve done I’ve shown up in a blazer, turtleneck, and pants lmao.”

“I always wear my red blazer, it hasn’t let me down,” another added.

In addition to important fashion advice, Erin also gave advice on how to appear more likable in the office.

Her favorite tips for appearing charismatic are: being self-confident, friendly and responsible.