Is Wearing Perfume or Cologne on a Job Interview Appropriate?

Olympic skier Michelle Roark has the benefit of wearing one of her Phi-nomenal perfumes for luck while she's on the job. However, when you're going on a job interview, that doesn't mean you have the same luxury.

According to FOX Chicago News, some of the do's and don'ts of job interviews include, "Know who you are meeting with, bring a copy (or two) of your resume, and get there early. Also, dress to impress - showing up in jeans is underwhelming. If you wear perfume, make sure it is not overpowering."

CareerBuilder.com agrees with the use of perfume in "What Not to Wear to an Interview," by stating, "Strong aftershaves, perfumes or colognes: Many people are allergic to certain scents. For a subtle fragrance, use a good quality bath soap."

So what if you're like Roark and feel like your favorite perfume is your lucky charm? What if you want to "visualize" how to do a job well with all five of your senses? What do you do if you feel naked without wearing your perfume regardless of how strong it is?

Roark is the owner of seven different Phi-nomenal fragrances with a purpose-for confidence, for focus, for balance, for adventure, for imagination, for real and for ever [sic]. In a job interview, you want to be focused and confident. If you're wearing a scent like Phi-nomenal fragrances, you may go for aromas with amber and tuberose.

But if you can't get your hands on natural scents like these or want to follow the advice about making sure your perfume is not overpowering, try the following tips.

Tip One: Wear perfume in places that the interviewer wouldn't come in contact with-behind your ears, on the insides of your wrists, on the back of your neck or between the cleavage area. If your hair is long, it might camouflage the scent a little bit, and only someone who hugs you would be able to smell the fragrance in these areas.

Tip Two: Do not spray perfume on your clothes. The fragrance tends to linger so every time you lean over or move around, if it's a powerful scent, the fragrance is more noticeable.

Tip Three: Go easy on spraying the scent. Once is enough. If the scent is so powerful that in a closed room you can still strongly smell it, it's time to wipe some of the perfume off with a washcloth or change clothes.

Tip Four: Avoid strong shampoos, conditioners, hairspray, body oils, body sprays and fragrance glitter too. Don't think you're getting away with anything by not wearing perfume or cologne but wearing really powerful cosmetics in other areas.

No matter what the fragrance is that you want to wear, remember that you can always wear it after the interview is over. The interviewer should be focused on your job capabilities, not how soon he or she can get to a window or sneeze into facial tissue. If anyone has told you any of your perfumes or colognes linger in the room after you've left, don't wear them during the interview. You're supposed to get the job, not be the office air freshener.
Additional Notes: This entry was published by the Chicago Fragrance Examiner. To check out her fragrance reviews, visit the Examiner link.