Snagging a job interview, you definately don’t want to look like you’re going to a funeral, but you don’t want to look like a clown, either. While color choice depends on the type of job you’re looking for, there are some colors that just won’t cut it.  Here are a few tips for making sure you don’t leave the wrong impression on your interviewer.

1. Orange

No matter how much you like this color, stay away. According to Ben Parr, author of the book Captivology: The Science of Capturing People’s Attention, people have automatic reactions to specific sights, sounds, and colors. Parr asserts that the color orange has the lowest correlation with confidence. A lack of confidence is the last thing you want to convey to a potential employer, so steer clear of this hue on the big day. Furthermore, in a survey conducted by Harris Interactive for CareerBuilder, 25% of employers said orange was the worst color a job candidate could wear because they associated the color with someone who is unprofessional. Orange is not the new black when it comes to job interviews.

2. Red

Bright colors like red can elicit very strong feelings, and they are often not positive when it comes to job interviews. Your best bet is to stay away from colors that can be seen from clear across the room. “Hiring managers tend to love or hate red, so only choose red if you are comfortable with risk,” said Civitelli. Unless you’re a crime fighter or going on a date, red is not your color.

3. Brown

Brown may seem like a safe color, but Civitelli says many hiring managers don’t care for this shade. Brown is a little too safe. Although this color tends to be associated with reliability and comfort, this may backfire when it comes to interviewing at a fast-paced company. An interviewer could get the impression that you’re resistant to change and would insist on doing things the way they’ve always been done. So ditch the cuddly bear look, and opt for a strong color like navy instead.

Credit: cheatsheet