How Your Outfit Might Affect Your GD/PI Score

MBA interview preparation

GD/PI preparation - The way you dress up creates a long-lasting impression in the minds of people. Many experts claim that dressing is an important factor in creating the first impression especially in a corporate or formal setting. You'd remember going to school all neat and tidy.

However, one may ask, how does someone’s outfit matter is his/her skills are top class. According to the top international fashion designer Tom Ford, “Dressing well is a form of good manners”. And who would not be impressed with good manners! Therefore, it is often asked to dress formally during job interviews or Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI) sessions of MBA admissions.

Dressing well helps in maintaining confidence and composure. A lot can be achieved in interviews and group discussion rounds by dressing well. The way you present yourself in front of people who can help you in becoming a future manager matters a lot. You may want to leave a good impression on your future teachers with clean, immaculate dressing reflecting a sense of sincerity and discipline. 

Six tips to dress for GD/PI round of MBA admissions

We have been taught since childhood that ‘the first impression is the last impression’. Naturally, we always try to show our best side in the first meeting. Three key ways to make a good impression are – good behavior, politeness or dressing sense. Let's take a look at some key tips for dressing well for GD/PI.

1. Neat & Tidy Formal Clothing

Formal dressing is recommended for GD/PI at MBA institutes. Male candidates can wear formal suits or formal shirts and trousers. Tie and blazers are not compulsory, but if you are comfortable in wearing these, you can wear them. Female candidates can wear a formal shirt accompanied with either a formal skirt or trousers. Again, the blazer is an option. Dirty spots on your outfit may leave a bad impression on the interviewer. Make sure whatever you wear is neat and tidy. On the day of GD/PI, take care of where you sit, where you keep your hands and how you eat so that the tidiness of your outfit is maintained.

2. Creased / Ironed

Iron your dress beforehand. Do not wait till the date of GD/PI. Get your outfit ready a night or a day before. A messy outfit depicts a messy person. Therefore, look smart by wearing smart. Wear a well-ironed pair of suit so as to look well dressed.

Also Read: Top GD/PI topics for MBA admission

3. Wear Light Colours

Opt for a light-coloured outfit on the day of the interview or group discussion. Colours like light blue, light baby pink, white, off-white, light brown or light grey can be worn. Both girls and boys can wear any of the above-mentioned colours. Dark colours are mostly meant for evenings, while interviews are generally scheduled in the mornings or afternoons. It is not that you can’t wear dark colours. Just make sure, it doesn’t look over the top. Also, neon colours are a big no-no.

4. Comfortable Clothes

Whatever you wear should be comfortable. Do not wear clothes that are either too tight or too loose. If your clothes are not of your size, then get them altered beforehand. Girls should make sure that the skirts they wear should not be too short. Be comfortable in what you are wearing. Else, your discomfort might harm the way you present yourself.

5. Dress Smartly

Looking smart has its benefits. However, looking smart doesn’t guarantee selection, but yes it does play a role in leaving good impression.

6. Clean Footwear

Your footwear is an important part of your dressing. Wear footwear that compliments your outfit. Formal shoes with formal outfits are the norm, so follow that. Also, make sure that your shoes are squeaky clean. Check your shoes once again before entering the interview room.

All the best!

Read More:

• MBA PI Questions: How to Answer Why MBA Question? With Example
• 13 must-do things to crack GD-PI-WAT
• Know past years' WAT/GD topics at top B-Schools
• Know how to prepare for GD/PI