What you wear is an expression of your character, especially in a professional setting. The attire you choose to wear at a job interview is a preview of who you are. Before a hiring manager hears you speak a word in person, they observe how you dress.
To make a positive first impression, you should be conscious of what you wear and put in the effort to make yourself presentable. Although the cannabis industry is typically more relaxed compared to other industries, what you wear to a job interview still matters. So, we’ve put together simple tips on how to dress for a job interview in the cannabis industry. In creating this guide, we took into consideration interviews ranging from entry-level positions up to cannabis executive jobs.
Why It Matters To Dress Well For A Job Interview
No matter how relaxed the company seems, all interviews should be considered formal situations. Presenting yourself well means you should work on both your nonverbal and verbal skills, which is why attire is such a crucial factor. Looking well-groomed, neat, and professional contributes immensely to making a good first impression. Your primary goal is to have your interviewer focus mainly on your personality and skills rather than your clothes. Additionally, dressing up for an interview will help you feel more comfortable, which makes it easier to convey confidence. And, yes, you should dress the part even if you’re doing an online video interview. Whether you’re going after an entry-level position or a cannabis executive job, what you wear plays a big role.
Business Casual vs. Professional
There are plenty of cannabis jobs, ranging from budtenders to cannabis executive roles. So, considering the cannabis job you’re going after when thinking about what to wear is a must. Business casual means no shorts, jeans, or short dresses/skirts. However, ties are optional, and button-ups or blouses are acceptable. Professional attire is more formal, aligning with management or executive positions in cannabis. Suit jackets, ties, button-downs, dress skirts, and dress pants are associated with a more professional look. Whether you’re going for a business casual or professional look, make sure your attire is clean and wrinkle-free. And, it’s imperative that what you decide to wear is also comfortable to reduce distractions. The last thing you want to wear is an odd-fitting garment that disrupts your focus.
The Best Colors To Wear
Understanding color psychology will assist you in putting together an outfit that’s perfect for your next interview. The first minute of an interview is crucial in setting the tone, and the colors you choose will contribute to the entire presentation of yourself. Colors project essential, subconscious messages about your personality and character, conveying levels of honesty, professionalism, reliability, and more. Medium to dark colors are more business-like. Black conveys leadership, navy blue presents confidence, brown sends the message that you’re reliable, and gray communicates logic. Then there are louder colors like orange, purple, yellow, and green, which are all associated with creativity. And then there’s red, which conveys power or energy. Everything matters in how you dress for a job interview, so think about the position and choose the appropriate colors to wear.
Match Your Outfit To The Workplace
Before putting together the outfit you’ll wear to your cannabis job interview, you have to research the company. Head to their website and social media channels and look for office photos. How are the employees dressed? Observe what they’re wearing to get a feel for what is acceptable in their work environment. In general, you’ll want to dress a level or two higher than what you perceive from the work photos. If you’re still struggling with how to dress for a job interview for a cannabis company, err on the side of caution. Put something together that’s more conservative. And, you definitely don’t want to walk into an interview with something you might wear to a nightclub.
What Should You Bring?
Not only do you have to dress well, but you also have to bring the proper items to help ensure your cannabis job interview runs smoothly. First, make sure you bring a copy of your resume and references, even if the hiring manager doesn’t request them. Next, make sure you have a pen and paper to take notes. Don’t rely on your smartphone for taking notes in case the battery dies. On your notepad, you may want to write down any questions you have about the company or the role. Remember, a job interview is a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions that will allow you to evaluate the company further. You will also want to print out directions to the company–just in case your GPS or smartphone fails. And, you should place all of your materials in a professional bag or briefcase. Lastly, consider wearing a wristwatch–once again, you don’t want to rely solely on your smartphone.
