Choosing The Right Perfume For A Job Interview

By Margarita Nahapetyan

Many women and men who are applying for a job always try to do their best when it comes to choosing the right clothing in order to show their confidence and professionalism. However, when it comes to choosing the fragrance, the majority consider it not that important. Not a good idea.

People do not often realize that sometimes it can be just a small nuance that can influence a hiring decision. It can be insignificant detail like hand gesture, intonation, voice timbre or even subliminal factors that the employer is not even consciously aware of, such as how the applicant smells, for example. For this reason, choosing to wear the right fragrance for a job interview can be a very important decision that not everyone takes in a serious way. No matter how confident the handshake is, the message of a businessman's or a businesswoman's fragrance can be stronger than their grip.

To begin with, people must remember that when it comes to a job interview, the question is not about whether to wear or not wear perfume, but rather which perfume will suite best the career. For both ladies and gentlemen it is important to choose a fragrance that will project the image with the interviewer in a positive, and at the same time a discreet way. Overly sweet or strong scents should by all means be avoided as well as those with a lot of silage, or scent trail. No matter how lovely the scent is, it always should be used in moderation, less is more. It should be the type of scent that wraps you up, and is only perceived when another person approaches closer. Handshake length should be the only place your perfume is recognizable. It should be a subtle and unobtrusive background for the entire time of your personal presentation.

The Fragrance Foundation, an international organization of fragrance professionals, tested different kinds of perfumes in an interview setting. Too heavy floral, sweet and musky notes were considered inappropriate by both male and female interviewers when worn by female candidates. Fruity, fresh or citrus scents were found as the best. This means that ladies must leave their Chanel No. 5 at home and choose light airy floral scents and elegant woody florals instead. Heavy Oriental blends such as Shalimar or Angel have to be eliminated, as well as heavy floral scents such as Fracas or gardenia-heavy perfumes. Under no circumstances Juicy Couture or Aquolina Pink Sugar should be considered to wear for the interview, as well as perfume with a lot of vanilla, sticky melon or sugary fruit scents. A quiet fresh floral scents such as Flora by Gucci or Be Delicious by DKNY can be tried, or a classic soft woody floral like Givenchy's L'Interdit or Miss Dior by Christian Dior. A green scent can also work quite well. For example, Balmain's Vent Vert might be a little risky but Molinard de Molinard could be just the right one.

As to gentlemen, they should know that there is a big No to fragrances such as Caron's Yatagan and Drakkar Noir or any other fragrance that carries a heavy dose of patchouli or very strong marine notes. These scents send "aggressive" messages, though unintentionally. Whatever is a man's preference of this or that scent, at least when applying for a job they must also forget about Thierry Mugler's Angel Men. The best choice would be really classic Dior Fahrenheit, Guerlain Vetiver or Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel. Also, there will be no mistake made by choosing a light citrus fragrance like Guerlain Eau Imperiale, L'Eau d' Issey Pour Homme Summer or the new John Varvatos Artisan.

Both women and men need to always remember that it is better to skip any fragrance at all rather than overdo and wear too much scent when trying to make an impression on a future employer. The most important part is to get a job and, without any question it involves more than just fragrance or wardrobe choices. One expert said that there are three main things you should always have on your interview: confidence, a warm smile and a sharp, polished presentation. These three things represent a triple threat. They are sure to give you the edge in today's tough market. And after you land the position you can always figure out what the company culture is like and, therefore be aware of the appropriate level for fragrance in your office.