Even as an Alabama grad, I’ve got to tip my hat to Auburn sometimes.
For starters, as a conservative living in the Yellowhammer State, it warmed my heart to see that The Princeton Review named Auburn’s student body the most conservative in the nation. Then Money Magazine rated Auburn “the best college for the money” in Alabama. And then a study by former Duke Professor Stuart Rojstaczer ranked Auburn among the toughest colleges in the country to get an “A.”
Taking all that into consideration, it’s clear that Auburn University is producing some top-notch talent that’s ready to enter the workforce and make their mark.
But some research I came across today compelled me to offer some advice to any young Auburn grads coming out ready to take on the world: don’t wear your beloved school colors to your first job interview.
A survey of hiring managers by CareerBuilder.com found that orange makes the worst possible impression on a prospective employer. In fact, 25 percent of hiring managers identified orange as the color they most associate with someone being unprofessional.
“In terms of projection, your appearance tells more about you than what you say or how you say it,” said image and style expert Carol Davidson. “And out of all of the elements of your wardrobe, color speaks first.”
The good news for Auburn grads, according to Davidson, is that Navy blue works well, although not in every situation.
Navy signifies that you are “enterprising, trustworthy, honest, and credible,” Davidson said. That makes it a great fit if you’re gunning for a job in finance or law. But if you’re interviewing for a creative job, it’s probably not the best way to go. You’d be better off tastefully throwing in a splash of color.
Fast Company has a full write up on the research that might be worth your time.
Of course, even as I write this I remember that the most recent individual I hired at Yellowhammer showed up wearing a pair of bright orange University of Tennessee socks. And if he can overcome that, you can overcome just about anything.
Top 5 SEC schools I dislike the most: 1. LSU 2. Louisiana State University 3. #LOLSU 4. The Bayou Bengals 5. Tennessee
— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) September 21, 2014
Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims
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