Tip #: Don’t Skimp For The Video Interview
You may be tempted to skip a few steps because Skype is never crystal clear right? That stain from last week’s meatball sub won’t make it into the frame, right?
Wrong.
You want to treat your video interviews the same way you’d treat an in person. One, because you’ll feel better if you give it the same weight.
Two, because you never know how your video is going to be viewed. Some companies have some very large screens they may be projecting your video on. A dot on your shirt in real life might be a 3 inch crater on am 80 flat screen. Better safe than sorry here!
If you want some more advice on video interviews, check out my full guide here.
Best Job Interview Hairstyles For Women
What’s the best way to style your hair for an interview? Whether you are interviewing in person or remotely, it’s important to make a good impression.
How you style your hair for a job interview can be as important as the interview clothes you wear. After all, the interviewer is going to notice everything about your appearance, including your hair, makeup, and attire.
That first glance matters, and you’ll only have a few seconds to make the best impression.
You don’t need a professional stylistwhat’s most important is to be comfortable with the way you look and the image you present to the employer.
It’s perfectly acceptable to be you, especially if you’re not someone who spends a lot of time on their appearance. But do be sure not to look too disheveled or messy, even if your interview is just a quick video call from home.
Dressing Business Formal For Men
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Dress For A Job Interview With Conservative Shoes
Shoes for your job interview should be conservative and in reasonably good condition. Find a fairly low-heel, and make sure they arent scuffed or run-down. Generally, you shouldnt wear shoes with an open toe or back. A basic pump is the ideal shoe to wear since it is versatile, flattering, and will stay in style forever. Once you own a pair, you can wear it time and time again in the future!
Key Takeaways For Your Next Interview Outfit
Hey, you made it! Hopefully you feel a little more confident about what to wear and how you’re going to show up at your next interview.
Here’s a quick recap of the major points we covered:
- Research the company ahead of time, figure out what people wear to work and what the culture is like
- Choose an outfit in a tier that’s one notch above the company culture
- When in doubt, go formal! You can never really go wrong wearing a suit. Worst case, it’ll be a fun story after you’re hired
If you’re still not sure about what to wear to your interview, or you have specific questions based on your situation, feel free to drop a comment below! Lily and I read and reply to all of them and we’re happy to help out.
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How Should You Dress For An Interview
How you should dress for an interview will depend on the type/level of job and the work environment where you are interviewing at. Simply put, you should dress 1 step above how employees there typically dress on a daily basis. For example, if you are interviewing at a job place where employees who typically wear business casual, then you should dress one step above this for the interview which would typically be a full suit.
Generally speaking, there are 4 types of dress codes associated with the level of the job as well as the work place
5 For Video Job Interviews
You do not need to overthink things too much for video interviews a semi-formal and elegant look will do the job nicely. Even if you are Skyping or sending in a recorded piece putting together a whole outfit will help keep you in the right headspace. Besides, if you have to pop up to grab something, you wouldnt want to be sitting there in your pajama pants! Treat it like any other interview: do your hair, make sure your nails look nice and opt for understated but well-coordinated jewelry pieces to complement your look.
We like this funky take on a traditional workwear look which brings a bit of personality to the table. This is a good look for college-age girls who are ready to hit the workforce scene!
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Skip The False Eyelashes
Although false eyelashes might make you appear awake and wide-eyed, save them for the company holiday party, not for the interview. Can you imagine if your false lashes came off during your meeting?
You don’t want to be worrying too much about your appearance, so you can focus on acing your interview questions. Rather than falsies, opt for a coat of black, waterproof mascara instead.
Business Casual Job Interview Attire For Women
A simple top
A conservative, neutral top is something that comes across as professional. For instance, you could try to wear a cardigan or blazer together with a button-down shirt. If you do this, you can always take the cardigan or blazer off if you decide that it does not really fit the interview environment. A blouse is also a good option to go with.
Dress
A dress is always a proper option to go with. However, make sure that its an appropriate dress with a proper length. Go for a tailored dress that finishes at the knees. Neutral colors are the way to go. If your dress has open arms, you can choose to wear a blazer on top of it.
Pants or skirt
A knee-length skirt in a navy blue or other neutral color will give you an appropriate professional look that youre looking for. On top, you can wear a button-down shirt. Another option is to wear khaki or cotton pants just make sure that theyre tailored and look professional.
In general, try to avoid wearing jeans to a job interview. Even though there are very nice pairs out there, it can still look underdressed for the occasion. If you know the company culture is very casual, for instance in the entertainment or fashion industry, you could go for it. However, make sure that you wear a dark wash slim fit without any rips in it. You can pair such jeans very well with a more formal blouse or blazer.
Casual shoes
Details
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A Blazer Doesn’t Upgrade The Rest Of Your Outfit
While a blazer is a good go-to choice for almost any interview, be mindful of what you wear underneath. Inevitably, the deep-v formed by the blazer’s lapel creates a plunging neckline. If you’re going to wear a camisole or a shell underneath, make sure it covers you appropriately. Of course, layering with a button-down is a no-fail option, too.
This tip also applies to men. Unless you’re interviewing in a casual environment, such as a startup company, wearing a blazer on top doesn’t give you the excuse to wear a tired t-shirt underneath. Take the extra effort and put on a button-down shirt or V-neck sweater.
Dress For A Job Interview With Professional Clothing
No matter what, your job interview clothing should be neat, pressed, and clean. Generally, you should be wearing professional clothing such as a suit with a skirt or pants. Your skirt should be long enough so you can sit down comfortably, as your blouse should coordinate well. Ensure that your attire isnt too tight, short, sheer, bright, lacy, low-cut, or animal printed to ensure it is professional enough. Additionally, your suit should be comfortable and fit you well so you can showcase your best self.
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Difference Between Corporate And Casual Job Interview Attire
There is a difference between dressing for a corporate job interview and an interview for a more informal or creative position. Its important that you learn about the work setting and office style to make sure that you come dressed appropriately for the position and dress code of the company.
The interview in general, the type of interview and how you should dress differs per company and industry. You can imagine that your interview attire will look different if you apply for a job at Google or a job at Goldman Sachs.
A general guideline that you can use to make an educated guess on what you should wear is set out below.
Corporate / Conservative / Professional
- Travel industry
- Music industry
In this blog, we will discuss appropriate interview clothing for men and women for both corporate and casual job interviews.
Tip #: Pack A Backup Interview Outfit
If you have the option to pack a backup interview outfit, do it!
You never know what can happen between now and the moment you need to suit up. A giant rainstorm could pop up out of nowhere, a bird could decide to go number 2 right as you’re leaving the office, or John in Accounting might spill that homemade marinara all over you.
If you’re able to drop a spare outfit in the trunk of your car or somehow squeeze it into your backpack, it’s absolutely worth it for the peace of mind.
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When In Doubt Dress Up A Little
Dress codes vary. For example, a tech start-up in Silicon Valley might frown on someone who dresses too formally, while a Fortune 50 company on Madison Avenue might frown on someone who dresses too casually. Its important to get a sense of the corporate culture before you head into the interview, to make sure that your attire is appropriate.
Different industries have different expectations of how candidates and employees should dress. The appropriate dress code can vary greatly depending on the company, industry, and location.
However, regardless of what everyone else at the company is wearing, its essential to take particular care with your appearance during a job interview. The candidate dressed in a suit and tie, or dress and heels, will usually make a much better impression than the candidate dressed in jeans and sneakers.
Learn more about what to wear for a corporate position and what to wear for a more laid-back casual position. In both cases, being well-groomed with clean, untattered clothes is always required.
How To Dress For A Retail Interview
For a retail interview, this will depend on whether you are interviewing for an entry level position like a store associate or a managerial position. If you are interviewing as a store associate, then wear a collared shirt with dress pants/chinos. However, if you are being interviewed for a managerial position, then wear a well-fitting suit in a dark color like navy, dark gray or medium gray.
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College Job Interview Attire
Make sure to dress professionally when interviewing for a professional job or internship as a college student. It’ll show that you’ll know how to behave in a professional manner if you’re hired.
Less formal attire is acceptable when interviewing for campus jobs and more informal workplace jobs. However, you still want to dress professionally for most positions, even if they are entry-level. Review these tips for college women and college men on what to wear to an interview, as well as what to wear for an interview for an internship.
More Pro Tips For What To Wear To A Job Interview
1. Make sure that your clothes are comfortable as well as appropriate for an interview avoid clothes are too tight or too loose. You may be sitting in the interview room for 30 minutes to an hour, so dress wisely.
2. Be conservative when it comes to accessories and jewelery. One thing that I have learned from friends is that employers dont particularly like extravagant or over-the-top jewlery.
3. Ensure youre well prepared for your interview.
- Have a small bottle of hair gel in case it rains on the way to your interview and your hair gets frizzy.
- Before you walk into the interview, put your phone on silent.
- If you have tattoos that are coverable, cover them, i.e., have your sleeves fully rolled down. If theyre not, then embrace your individuality.
4. As a busy student, having an iron can be a lifesaver.
Clothing should always be cleaned, ironed, and neat.
Make a statement with your skills and not your bright green suit jacket that you bought for St. Patricks Day! Its important to feel confident in the clothes that you wear.
Looking good isn’t self-importance it’s self-respect. Charles Hix, author
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Video Interview Bonus: Anything That Looks Weird On Camera
Due to COVID-19, video interviews are increasingly common. If youre getting ready to meet with the hiring manager virtually, then you need to make sure that the attire you chose looks good on camera.
What many people dont realize is that certain colors and patterns dont appear the same when viewed through a lens or screen. For example, white and black can actually be bad choices for video interviews, as well as many bright colors.
At times, patterns can also get a bit muddied with viewed on camera. It can cause some strange color shifts, some of which may not be flattering.
When in doubt, stick with neutrals that arent black or white. Navy blues, mid-toned beiges, deep greens, soft maroons, and similar hues can work well, along with many pastels. Once you have some options ready, test your outfit on camera before your video interview, just to be safe.
Dress For A Job Interview With Clean Beauty
No matter which company you are interviewing for, you want to start with clean and natural beauty. Shower the morning of the interview, dont forget deodorant, and wear a light perfume that wont overpower the room. Make sure you have fresh breath before you leave by not eating or drinking anything before the interview. Your makeup should be light and natural, flattering your skin and sticking to neutral shades. Have neatly manicured and clean nails that are also painted in a neutral color, staying away from bright or unusual shades. As far as your hair goes, it should be neat, clean, and professional. Go with a conservative hairstyle such as a ponytail or an updo to look the most polished!
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Tip #: Do Your Laundry 72 Hours Before Interview Day
Part of nailing that first impression is how your clothes look when you show up.
You could be wearing a full suit, but if it has stains on it or it’s wrinkled like it’s been sitting on the floor of your closet for weeks, that kind of defeats the whole purpose.
We want to make sure our outfit is clean and crispy. The best way to do that is making sure to do the laundry or get the dry cleaning done at least 48-72 hours before your interview!
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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