The Worst Shoes for a Job Interview

The significance of shoe choice for a job interview can hardly be overstated.

We spend entire years of our lives dedicated to furthering our education, in order to increase our chances of landing a career that will sustain us financially, and even potentially provide emotional fulfillment as well. It is certainly a notable endeavor to pursue a decades-long career in a field, and in the vicious arena of the job search, any edge that can be gained over the competition is a valuable one.

Attire is no exception, especially when it comes to the job interview: The value of first impressions is a de factor understanding among human beings, and there is rarely a more pressured or more important setting through which to display a favorable impression than at the interview that may provide the job of your dreams! With this in mind, the last thing a gig-seeker wants is to have their great chance ruined by something as controllable as a choice of shoes. Fortunately, there are a few simple examples to keep in mind in order to avoid wearing the wrong shoes to a job interview.

Mismatched Style

Although it would seem like an unspoken rule, many men still persist in wearing unmatched outfits, committing cardinal fashion sins such as wearing brown shoes with black belts. Many stylistic options can be acceptable, as long as they match, and are consistent with the culture of the company interviewing in, which any good applicant should know beforehand with a little research.

Females are not without their possible errors in judgment either; before one goes out to the site, the question should be asked, "Do my shoes match my outfit and accessories?" For an especially important appointment, it may not be a bad idea to get a second opinion, or even borrow an especially killer piece that will really complete an ensemble.

Distractingly Uncomfortable

Regardless of how good an outfit may look, shoes and all, all those good looks can be ruined if the shoes cause so much discomfort that an applicant is distracted, loses focus, and is unable to perform to the best of his or her ability. A job interview is all about presentation, and an optimal presentation can certainly not be given when the presenter is in pain.

An office environment may scream for heels, but they should be avoided except for veteran heel users. For males, it may be tempting to go out and buy a shiny new pair of leather executive footwear, but often it can be downright painful to break them in the first time, and a job interview is definitely not the time to undergo the break.

Overly Informal

Some would suggest that it should go without saying, but many still miss the mark: Unless the location is extremely laidback, overtly casual, or athletic in nature, tennis shoes are never acceptable. The old adage for job interviews applies specifically to footwear as well: "When in doubt, go more formal."

After all, in essence, a job interview is the framework that merely facilitates the presentation of a person's self. While it is good advice to dress snazzy, an applicant must ensure that their manner and responses are as fantastic as their appearance. Likewise, wearing a bad choice in shoes may signal a bad choice of employee.