Which colours can help you professionally? (2024)

From making a website to selling merchandise, colours make a strong impact and influence the outcome.

Find out which colours can help you enhance your professional standing.

AT AN INTERVIEW

Research says that over 50% of communication at an interview is non-verbal. So your clothes' colours should leave an impact.

Which colours work?
Blue, black, grey, brown and white are the best, while orange is universally considered the worst colour for an interview. Also avoid yellow, green and purple.

Why?
Blue : Blue (navy) is considered the perfect pick as it reflects trust, confidence, calmness and stability.

Grey : Grey is the second safest choice and shows you are independent and sophisticated. It also does not distract the interviewer.

Black : Black portrays leadership skills and authority, so may be best for high-level executive or managerial positions.

Brown : Brown reflects dependability, warmth and safety, all good traits to work in a team.

MAKING A WEBSITE
Use colours as per your target audience as the choice varies with gender and age. You should also incorporate the company’s main colours. Another important consideration is the use of background and secondary colours.

Which colours work?
The above factors will decide your choice of colours. Avoid brown, grey and orange for women themes, and brown and pink for men.

Why?
Soft Green: Green can be used for financial and environmental themes.

Red : Red will help create a sense of urgency and activity, and likely to get fast reader response

Soft Blue: Use blues to induce trust and loyalty among your readers.

Dark colours: Dark colours like black and brown have low conversion rates. Bright red, yellow, orange and green have a higher response rate.

AT WORKPLACE
You can pick colours for walls and decor of workplace depending on whether you want to increase focus and calmness, or induce creativity, or even spur physical activity

Which colours work?
Blue, green, yellow, orange, and neutrals like white, brown, etc.

Soft Blue: Soft blues raise concentration, efficiency and productivity.

Yellow & orange: Soft tones of these colours will spread warmth and stimulate people.

Soft greens: Soft greens bring down anxiety and rejuvenate people, helping them work long hours

Neutrals : Neutrals like white, cream or grey may be clean, but won’t stimulate the employee. Browns can be depressing.

DESIGNING A BUSINESS CARD
Colour preference in business cards should reflect both the company as well as the individual philosophy.

Which colours work?
Dark shades of blue, green, magenta, red and purple work well in combination with black and white.

Why?
White & other colours : White, in combination with black or other colours, is a safe choice, but will not leave a strong impression.

Black & gold or deep hues: Black, combined with gold or other deep contrasting colours, will help you stand out. You can also use dark shades of primary colours

Soft tones: Do not use only soft colours as they are seen to reflect lack of seriousness.

HOME-OFFICE
Entrepreneurs and self-employed people working from home should use blue for higher focus, but personal choice and type of work too play a role.

Which colours work?
Neutrals and pastels with a splash of primary hues can be good. You could also use a single tone with accent colours.

Why?
Neutrals : Neutrals like white, cream and grey or beige will prevent distractions. To drown out monotony, use accent colours like red, orange, blue and green.

Pastels: Pastels in the right combination like soft green and blue, or pale yellow and brown can be used to keep you focused and calm.

SELLING A HOUSE
First impressions matter a lot when it comes to selling a house. So keep aside your personal preferences and go for the safest options.

Which colours work?
White, cream, beige and brown are the safest colours for exterior, while neutrals and pastels are best for interiors

Why?
White & cream: White and cream not only make the house look bigger and cleaner, but are also among the most preferred

Beige & brown: Beige and brown convey warmth and safety and, hence, are inviting for the potential buyer

Pastels: Cream and pastels like pale blue, green, peach and yellow are the best options for interiors as the buyer will be lured by trust, reassurance and peace.

IN A SHOWROOM
As per research, nearly 80% of brand recognition is due to colours. So the right colour of product, walls and shelves can induce the desired reaction in customers.

Which colours work?
From pastels to primary colours, all will work depending on the products.

Why?
Blue & green: Blues and greens will reassure and calm customers and make them linger to buy more.

Orange & brown: Warm colours like orange and brown will make people happy and make impulse purchases

Red: Pick red if you want quick purchases, organise sales or sell food.

Pink & pastels: Pink and pastels will easily work wonders for stores with feminine and baby care products.

FOR SALESPEOPLE
Try to match the colour of your clothes with the company colours as it will inspire trust and confidence in the client.

Which colours work?
White and neutrals work best. Strong, deep colours should be
avoided as these will draw attention away from products.

Why?
Neutrals: White, neutrals and skin shades work well as they keep the customer focused on the product.

Orange & yellow: Soft shades of orange and yellow can also be used to induce cheer and happiness

Avoid these: Brown, black, red, violet and greys should be definitely avoided as these do not inspire trust or confidence