Interviewing - what puts you off someone?

[Unicorn34]

I have an interview tomorrow (internally within current company) which is the first face-to-face one since Covid, and am wondering whether the dark turquoise nail varnish I am currently wearing is a bit off-putting for an interviewer (thinking a bit "different" or loud?) and if I should change it for a more conservative colour? The role is within the Social Care system and I will be meeting clients face to face. I really want this role so would like to make the best impression.

Shall I change it? Silly I know to worry about something as trivial as nail varnish, but I need a second opinion! May be helpful to know that I am in my 50's and don't tend to dress conservatively (will be wearing my usual 1950s style dress with boots).

What other things have put you off when interviewing someone?

With interviews I tend to think that if it's something I'm second guessing then it's probably not worth it. I might not care about bright nail varnish, but would I be happy not to get a role because of it? Probably not.

Why would it be helpful for the interview panel to know you don't tend to dress conservatively? Surely if you get the job you'll dress in line with whatever the dress code is?

Good luck.

Nail varnish of any colour as long as it’s neat and tidy is fine. Long talon nails which look as though they’d interfere with your ability to do the job are off putting.

Unless a core aspect of the role is about bringing your personality to the role (i.e creative industries) then dressing more conservatively for interview than you usually would is a good idea. Whilst you might think you’re just being yourself and that’s important, the interviewer may read it as not knowing what’s appropriate or not being bothered to adapt to suit your environment.

I interview people in a completely different industry and I think about how someone will come across to clients. For that in the main it is highly conservative.

We have occasionally been more relaxed in non client facing roles, but I have regretted it each time. Equally those people haven't fitted in and haven't liked it.

I would dress as you would dress for work, so if you would normally have slightly loud nail varnish on for work, do that.

I work in a social care adjacent field and I directly manage a multi agency team including senior prac SWs. It's unlikely that anyone will bat an eye at nail varnish! Make sure it's not chipped etc. You'll get a lot of responses here from people who work in more corporate environments.

As you're in doubt, take the nail varnish off. Otherwise, if you're not successful, you may always wonder whether the nail varnish played a part...

Dress as you would expect the interviewer to dress, mirror them.

Neat nail varnish wouldn’t put me off. I don’t like it when someone doesn’t seem to understand either the role or the fact this is a interview- I’m very nice as interviews are not but some candidates become too relaxed.

I'm director-level in fintech, a traditionally male-dominated and fairly conservative sector.

I wear hoodies, skater skirts, dinosaur tunics, coloured nail polish and my hair in a messy bun in the office with my team and on internal stakeholder calls and so on, BUT I'm a senior SME with 20+ years experience, I'm well-known and respected within my working environment etc. I have a certain leverage based on that.

If I didn't know somebody beyond their CV / LinkedIn profile, I'd expect fairly conservative presentation, whether male or female - so clean nails, groomed / kempt hair and 'sober' clothes (not necessarily suited and booted, but within the realms of 'office respectable').

Once you're part of the team, go wild!

(And obviously, assuming it doesn't need to be stated, I don't wear my dinosaur print tunic to client meetings.)

I interview in social care and nail varnish wouldn't put me off especially as social care is not generally a sector where formal dress is expected. As an interviewer it's offputting to me when someone cannot reflect on their personal strengths AND weaknesses or, if it is a question where you have to give an example of work you have done, what went well and what went badly. Some people can only praise themselves and some can only criticise themselves, you need a realistic appraisal.

Nothing about what people wear would put me off (unless it was unclean).

I'm put off if they haven't researched my company and they aren't prepared.

I don't think it matters personally but it seems something that's easy to change - and why add an extra worry?

I'm always put off when I say "so what do you know about the role/company" and they basically give a one sentence-long reply showing that they've done zero research.

If you mean what put me off someone's appearance then I would say making no effort with personal care would be an instant no because I work in a small office. Clothes - no offensive slogans or images and again must be clean- no last nights curry on it. Nail varnish any thing is fine.

Personality wise- One word reply. Not looking the company up. No eye contact or a 'quiet voice'. Not having example for answers to questions.

The nail varnish colour wouldn't put me off but if it was chipped/messy it would.
Likewise, I expect people to dress smartly, doesn't need to be a suit but it does need to be smart and professional.
The one main thing that really puts me off candidates is when they are using information that they have got off the internet and rehearsed, rather than giving a genuine response. I interview a lot and I see this a lot, it irritates me.
When I ask a question I want to hear that person's genuine answer, not a stock answer from google. Likewise, when a candidates asks me a question it should be a question they really want to know the answer to because it's important to them, and not something they've got from a list of "ten best questions to ask during an interview". It always shows. Be genuine, answer questions honestly as your true self, ask questions that you really want to know the answer to.

with something like this I would say it's probably not worth risking it, just go with something a bit less plain until you're in place

I probably wouldn’t wear the nail varnish. If I was interviewing somebody for a role, and they answered the questions brilliantly, nail varnish wouldn’t put me off, but if it came down to two candidates and one of them was more suitably dressed for interview, I’d pick them as I’d think they were more serious about it.

Thank you everyone. I have already interviewed once with this particular manager and did well (appointable interview but it was less hours than I wanted) so she has asked me to interview for this other role instead - as it's for a new team it's a different set of questions, but in an area where I have a lot of experience. I think I may just take off the nail varnish and put on a different colour anyway, just in case. It was much easier last time as it was over Teams and I stuck a lot of post it notes around my screen to prompt me to say the right buzzwords..... I'll have to write it on my arm this time (joking!).

Thank you for the ideas and info - hoping I get this one! Definitely washing my hair, wearing clean clothes and a splash of Coco Chanel.

People who arrived Either in person or face-to-face unkempt with messy hair creased clothes and look like they’ve just rolled out of bed. Constantly referring to paperwork as if reading from a script, Over speaking,

Good luck OP, sounds like you’re in with a good chance, fingers crossed for you x

Rarely how they look - however, once someone blew their nose down the camera - that was very off-putting. Flicking hair suggestively with a giggle.

I always consider it a positive if someone has made an effort with their appearance and dressed in an appropriate and businesslike manner. It shows they are taking the interview seriously and want the job.
I'm not sure an interview is the place for showing your unique style unless it's directly relevant to the role.

• Dress appropriately (really varies by industry) but if in doubt, tone it down! smart and clean is always a winner
• ASK QUESTIONS - so many people just expect to sit there and answer questions; this can be misread as a lack of interest and lack of preparation. Ask a question as soon as is appropriate - have a list prepared on your notes, so you're not struggling to think of one. Remember people LOVE talking about themselves :)
• take notes - it makes you look considered and thoughtful
• mirror their body language if you can

good luck!

I'm sure you'll nail it op

😉

Thanks everyone - have nicely painted brown nails now! My attire is a black tea dress with small pattern, black tights and black ankle boots with small heel (I don't own any posh shoes). I will also put on a bit of lippy for the occasion. Will let you know how it goes