Best Colors to Wear to a Job Interview

As people, we communicate stronger with our visual cues than words or gestures. For this reason, the colors we wear at a job interview are so very powerful! Colors communicate strongly on their own, so carefully craft your message by choosing a color that best supports your key attributes as a candidate: Choose navy blue for trust; yellow for positivity'; red for assertiveness; gray for wisdom; brown for responsibility; black for authority.

Depending upon goals, mixing-and-matching colors can be effective. For example, if you want to present as reliable and enterprising yet affable, wearing a navy suit or dress with yellow accents (pocket square, scarf, handbag, etc.) will best support your goals.

Here are key attributes and messaging guidelines on how best to communicate through color and benefit from its psychological impacts:

  • Red
    Communicates high-energy, assertiveness and a sense of excitement: Dramatic, attitude, passionate.

  • Orange
    Communicates a sense of being lively and energetic: Enthusiastic, social, networker.

  • Yellow
    Communicates warmth and cheerfulness: Creative, busy, optimistic.

  • Blue
    Communicates peacefulness and sincerity: Thoughtful, honest, patient.

  • Purple
    Communicates regal and extravagant qualities: Artistic, unique, mystical.

  • Green
    Communicates sense of well-being and harmony: Natural, growth, prosperity.

  • Pink
    Communicates feminine and quiet qualities: Loving, approachable, sensitive.

  • White
    Communicates innocence and purity: Light, clean, faithful.

  • Gray
    Communicates strong character and wisdom: Reliable, conservative, modest.

  • Navy blue
    Communicates sense of being enterprising and trustworthy: Honest, organized, credible.

  • Brown
    Communicates simplicity and responsibility: Comfortable, secure, earthy.

  • Black
    Communicates strength, authority, assertiveness as well as mystery: Powerful, chic, sophisticated.

See UpJourney.com press feature here.

Elizabeth Kosich Styling