Business Casual Attire For Interview

Try A Statement Dress

Although it’s important that your interview attire is professional and conservative, that doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with color. A tasteful dress in an interesting color, such as a muted turquoise or deep red, is a good addition to your interview wardrobe.

With a statement dress like the ones here, you don’t need to bother to add jewelry or other accessoriesthe dress speaks for itself. When working with bright colors, though, make sure the rest of the dress is modest.

It’s always important to make sure that both the neckline and hemline are appropriate: avoid short dresses and low-cut, revealing necklines. With a bright-colored dress, it is more important than ever that the piece covers you appropriately. All you need to round off a dress like this is a pair of black heels or black ballet flats.

What To Wear To A Job Interview: The Complete Guide

Finding the right clothes to wear for an interview can be as stressful as the interview itself. We all know that first impressions usually stick. Wearing clothes that look good on you and fit the style of the interviewing company can make all the difference when it comes to getting that job. This complete guide of what to wear to a job interview gives you guidelines to have you looking your best, feeling comfortable and ensuring you present as the perfect fit for the hiring organisation.

Statistics show that 55% of first impressions are determined by the way you dress and walk through the door in a job interview while 65% of hiring managers say clothes can be the deciding factor between two similar candidates.

Researching and understanding the companys culture immediately captures the interviewers attention so its important to dress the part. You will find a lot of relevant information on the companys website. If there are images of the workforce this will tell you whether to opt for professional or smart casual dress. If you still have doubts, a quick phone call asking about their dress code is acceptable. Employers often deliberately leave dress details out of any correspondence so they can make their own judgments on how prospective employees have chosen to dress.

What To Wear For Women

Business casual for women is about comfortable basics that can be accessorized with statement bags, jewelry, a cardigan, and your favorite shoes.

You can tuck loose shirts into business slacks or knee-length skirts. Match soft fabrics and colors with darker palettes, giving you more work options.

When you own a pair of ankle boots, theyll be a staple in your business casual wardrobe. Ankle boots come in a range of colors, and you can wear flats or heeled versions depending on your personal preference.

Ankle boots go with pants and skirts, and you can wear them all year round.

You can accessorize with a chunky necklace or an oversized bag.

Statement jewelry pieces, subtle patterns, and pops of color will let you have fun with your workwear.

For example, a pair of checkered pants with a peach buttoned shirt is both modern and professional. Red pants with a black zipped tee is striking yet work-appropriate.

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Types Of Interview Attire

Heres a great infographic from Business Insider that provide great tips on how to dress for your interview:

Overall, there are only a few standard types of interview attire, the most popular of which are smart casual, business casual, executive casual, and business formal.

Now, we get it. Youre probably thinking, What the heck do those terms mean? Dont worry, well clarify.

First, smart casual is a fairly new invention. Its nestled in-between two common options that youll see in the infographic: baseline casual and mainstream casual.

A classic example of smart casual is pairing dark, tailored jeans with a classic button-up shirt, a trendy blazer, and elevated sneakers or an upscale sandal. Essentially, you take casual elements, find the dressiest versions of them, and combine them with low-key business staples.

But what about business casual? Would that be the same thing? Well, no. Typically, with business casual, jeans are forbidden fruit. The same goes for tennis shoes or sandals.

Instead, you move more into classic office wear options. Think slacks or pencil skirts with button-up shirts, sweaters, and cardigans. For shoes, youve entered into relaxed dress, like a nice loafer, ballerina flat, or ankle boot. For women, open-toed heels may be okay, depending on the environment. Its a step above smart casual.

However, this isnt quite into tie-mandatory territory. That comes next.

Business Casual Is The Safe Play

If youâre truly unsure about the appropriate balance between professional and casual, business casual attire is a safe bet in most workplaces. For men this means slacks, a jacket and a crisp dress shirt . Women can also go with slacks, a blazer and a blouse, or substitute a knee-length or longer dress or skirt. Donât forget to wear nice shoes to complete your look. Both heels and flats are perfectly acceptable itâs your prerogative to choose whichever makes you feel most confident.

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A Simple Rule Of Thumb For Deciding What To Wear To An Interview

I worked at Microsoft on the advertising side of things. Every year we hosted an annual Awards event in Seattle to recognize our best clients.

A few years ago our marketing team sent out an email stating that the dress code for the event was cocktail casual.

Nobody had any idea what that meant .

I mean, cocktail attire alone is confusing enough on both sides of the gender spectrum.

Do men need to wear a jacket and tie? Or jacket but no tie? If you’re a woman wearing a dress, what length is right? Etc.

Then you add in the word casual on top of that and everyone’s head explodes!

The whole office spent the next month debating the rules of cocktail casual attire and, when the big event rolled around, people were wearing all different sorts of outfits.

My point? When it comes to picking the right attire for a big event, it can be easy to overanalyze.

The good news is that, when it comes to job interview attire, we can follow one simple rule to make sure we never show up out of place:

The Golden Rule of Interview Attire

When in doubt, err on the side of formal. You always want to be one notch above the people you’re interviewing with.

You’d much rather be wearing a suit into an office full of hoodies and jean shorts than show up wearing a t-shirt in an office full of buffed leather shoes and pant suits.

Get The Right Camera Angle

The best camera angle on Zoom is one where you can fully see your face and shoulders. You should be able to make direct eye contact with the camera and appear as if youre looking directly at the interviewer.

Ensure the angle doesnt accidentally reveal any skin or parts of your body that you dont want the interviewer to see.

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Everything You Should Know About Business Casual Attire

Going to interviews or starting a new job are nerve-wracking experiences in their own right, and having to worry about what to wear adds an extra layer of stress if you don’t know what’s expected of you. Most companies will provide attire requirements in interview instructions as well as employee manuals. If you’re asked to wear business casual attire, it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean simply dressing casually. Here we explore what business casual attire is, what it isn’t, examples of business casual outfits, and tips for choosing what to wear when the dress code calls for a business casual wardrobe.

Business Casual Attire Guidelines For Him And Her

Generally accepted rules for going business casual suggests that women should choose a combination of dress slacks or knee-length skirts, simple blouses, sweaters, twinsets, coats, pantyhose and closed toe shoes. Peep-toe shoes, sandals, and flip-flops may be worn in some offices, but dont wear them during an interview.

For the next business casual get-up, ladies should bear these in mind:

• Sheath dresses can appear too formalwear it for that type of occasion.
• Consider wearing khaki, cotton, twill, or corduroy pants and knee-length skirts.
• Wear sweaters, cardigans, knit shirts, polo shirts, and twinsets in cold weather.
• Solid, monochromatic colors are better than bright colors.

Meanwhile, business casual ensembles for men usually include chinos or dress slacks, collared or non-collared shirts with or without neckties, dark-colored socks, and leather shoes. Abstain from wearing polo shirts during an interview, regardless of them being suitable for daily wear should you get the job. Never wear jeans, shorts, or sandals either.

Gentlemen may also want to consider these tips for a job interview or in the workplace:

• Wear long-sleeved cotton button-down shirts that are neatly pressed.
• Wear clean and well-pressed khaki, fleece, cotton, and gabardine pants.
• Wear sweaters or coats during cold weather.
• The most recommended footwear is leather shoes. Match it with a leather belt.
• Wear a tie at your own discretion.

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Think Menswear With A Khaki Mix

A menswear-inspired khaki blazer is an extremely versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. Wear it with a button-down shirt or blouse. It looks great with a matching skirt, dark-wash jeans for a startup casual interview, or navy blue bottoms for a dressier look.

The button-down here might be a basic top, but the pink makes the look pop. With a shirt that has an interesting collar detail, you could choose to button it up to the top, eliminating the need for a necklace. Another option for a unique collar detail is a rounded Peter Pan collar.

Finally, a navy blue skirt is a stylish alternative to the traditional black pencil skirt. It’s a bit more easygoing than the typical black skirt, but it’s still professional, creating a look that is relaxed and also refined.

Why Is It Important To Dress Well For An Interview

When you arrive for your job interview, the first few minutes are actually some of the most crucial. Although we may have all been taught not to judge a book by its cover, the opposite is normally true. When you meet with your interviewer, the first few seconds of time spent together will build their initial impression of you.

• If you enter the room with inappropriate attire, it might be difficult to overcome the initial bad impression, even once you get into your interview. Of course, the rest of the interview will be critical as they probe for more information about your experience, skills, work ethic, and more, but kicking things off on the right foot with the appropriate professional attire, is a sure way to make a stellar first impression.

• You might be thinking that all you need to prepare for to do well in your interview is writing a flawless cover letter, preparing your resume, and coming up with answers for common interview questions.

  However, the importance of the right attire can simply not be overlooked.

• The clothes you wear should be considered in all respects before you go into an interview. You never know what small details the interviewer may gather from you based on your initial appearance.

• This is a chance to sell yourself. Wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident and comfortable will enhance your ability to answer questions more easily and give you the confidence to talk about yourself in a positive light.

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Choose Pieces That Combine In Different Ways

If you want a complete business casual wardrobe but dont want to break the bank, choose pieces that you can combine in different ways. Design a personal color palette based on coordinating neutrals and a flexible pop of color or two. Select cuts that go together, allowing you to combine tops with as many bottoms as possible, and vice versa, giving you more versatility.

What To Wear To An Interview: A Guide To Professional Attire

Brandi Glass

You only get one chance to make a first impression, as the saying goes â and what you wear for your interview certainly sends a message to the HR manager, recruiter or would-be boss.

Itâs always a good idea to consider what to wear to a job interview, regardless of the position or company.

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Context Matters: Dressy Casual Vs Less Dressy

Business casual dress codes can mean different things to different people. In general, the term business casual usually refers to a slight step down in formality from the norm, so its important to know what is usually expected in that environment.

For example, in a super formal setting, one where people usually wear full suits, you might still be expected to wear a sport coat, button down shirt, slacks, and leather shoes. In contrast, if the standard for business attire in the given environment is less formal, then likewise, business casual can be expected to be a step down in formality.

• Dressy Casual : jacket, button-down dress shirt , slacks, loafers or casual lace up leather shoes.
• Less Dressy : sweater , button-down shirt , chinos or khakis, casual leather shoes or well kept sneakers.

What Colours Should People Wear To Interviews

The best colours for an interview are neutral, like black, navy blue, gray or brown. White is a good shade for a simple shirt or blouse, and you can add other feature colours to your interview outfit to showcase your personality. Colours convey emotion and impact subconscious thoughts, so choosing a shade that gives interviewers a good impression is important. Here are some of the most common colour choices for interview outfits and what they convey:

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Zoom Interview Attire: What To Wear

Youve accepted your Zoom interview invite, but then the fear creeps in what Zoom interview attire do you wear? In this guide, well help you figure out what to wear for a virtual interview so you can look your best on camera. Well cover:

• Before the Interview: Zoom Interview Attire Key Tips

Tips For Business Casual Dress Codes

Think about business casual dress codes and exception days as being a relaxing of usual standards and expectations. Often, what is acceptable is about one notch down the formality chain from the usual expectations.

If you usually wear a suit to work, casual Friday might mean jackets and no ties. If you wear a button down and chinos four days a week, casual Friday could mean a polo with jeans and sneakers .

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Guide To Business Casual Attire

Related: Business Formal vs. Business Casual: What to Wear to an Interview

How do you dress for an interview? And how does business casual look different than business formal? Get answers to these questions and more tips on business attire.

Because many companies have a business casual environment, it is important to understand what type of clothing is appropriate for this dress code. Learning what business casual means and how you can follow this dress code allows you to make a positive impression in the workplace. In this article, we discuss what business casual attire means, why companies choose to have a business casual dress code and key factors you should consider when choosing business casual attire.

Err On The Side Of Dressy

While you donât want to be drastically overdressed â think a tuxedo or a floor length gown â itâs usually a safe bet to dress up a little more than the average employee. Dressing up shows you respect the company and are invested in making a good impression. Thatâs something most hiring managers will appreciate, even if youâre slightly overdressed compared to their typical day-to-day attire.

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What Not To Wear To An Interview

Finally, lets review what you should not wear to an interview, regardless of how formal or informal the workplace is. Your goal in a job interview is to make a good first impression, and how you dress is an important part of how others perceive you. To make sure you look your best, avoid the following:

• Flip flops and other open-toed sandals

• Athletic shoes

• Tank tops or shirts with thin straps

• Shorts

• Underwear that sticks out from your clothing

• Skirts or dresses that are too short

• Shirts with too-low necklines or that expose your belly

• Perfume or cologne

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You Got The Interview Now What To Wear

Alright, before we dig into the individual types of interview attire, lets talk about how you actually make the decision. After all, everyone is different, so we cant just say, pair this top with these pants and cover every professional on the planet. It doesnt work that way.

However, there are certain universal truths in how to dress for an interview, and a few of them may surprise you.

First, you need to consider comfort and fit. Why comfort? Well, youre going to be wearing this outfit during a critical moment. If youre distracted by itchy fabric, do you think youll make the best impression possible?

Probably not.

Fit goes the same way. If youre going to spend the entire interview pulling a too-tight top into place or go to shake the hiring managers hand only to discover that your suit jacket makes lifting your hand above your navel impossible, thats a problem.

Your interview clothes need to feel good and function. Now, this a reason to wear sweatpants. Just that, if the outfit falls short in either of those categories, you should consider other options.

MIKE’S TIP:

After that, you should ask yourself, What makes me feel confident? When you feel good in your clothes, that impacts your mindset. Similarly, if you hate your interview attire, thatll bring you down.

Well discuss how to do that here in a bit.

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