Management And Executive Positions
For management or executive positions, business formal is the only way to go. You’re interviewing for a leadership position, and dressing as nicely as possible will demonstrate that you are ready for all that’s involved with your potential new title. You want to dress in a manner that conveys power and presence so recruiters know you have what it takes to lead others as soon as you walk in.
Have A Dress Rehearsal
Tranen recommends always trying on your interview clothes before the day of the interview to prevent any possible wardrobe malfunctions. Ask a friend or family member to help vet your look. If things don’t fit right anymore, if your go-to jacket is missing a button, or if the shirt you love is wrinkled, it gives you time to troubleshoot, Tranen says.
Dress For Success: What To Wear For A Video Interview
With the rise of business casual, jeans all day every day, and even fury friends accompanying you to work, figuring out what to wear to a video interviewor any interviewis no longer a simple matter.
Fortunately, looking good on camera and in an interview can be easy if you remember a few rules. Follow these tips and youll dress to impress.
Don’t Miss: Top 10 Behavioral Questions
Pitfalls To Avoid On Interviews
Take a look at the picture below. Looks like a nice young man whos gotten properly dressed for a job interview, right?
We admit that he did a halfway decent job. But thats only halfway. Lets take a look at the errors he made so that you dont make the same ones. Well start from the top:
Find Blouses With Interesting Details
Just like button-down shirts, blouses to be worn during job interviews do not have to be boring. Shop for blouses that have interesting details, and pair them with slacks or a skirt for that elegant yet confident look.
When pairing a blouse with a skirt, go for simple black pencil skirt or a skirt with an interesting fabric.
The point is to achieve a business look without necessarily being boring. Alternatively, you can add a skinny waist belt to make your blouse pop. You can also consider bolstering up the look with an edgy blazer.
Don’t Miss: Questions To Ask A Cfo
Why Is It So Important To Look Good At A Job Interview
When you show up to a job interview, your job is to make the best possible first impression that you can. Be aware of the balance you need to have. You want to be memorable, but not cause a distraction. Wearing things like risque clothing, body jewelry, clothing that shows too much skin, or overpowering scents will put you at risk for making a poor first impression.
You want to prepare for a professional presence so that your interviewer immediately views you as a potential employee and someone qualified to do the job advertised. But looking good isnt just for the recruiter or hiring manager. Wearing a professional outfit will help you feel more confident and adequately prepared for your interview. Wearing clothes that make you feel good and polished will help your demeanor and belief in yourself.
Confidence will help you answer questions effectively, think of ways to sell yourself on the spot, and help you come off as not just genuine but professionally poised and, hopefully, an ideal candidate for the job. Its important not to overlook your attire for a job interview. This is a significant component to ensuring you land the job of your dreams.
How useful was this post?
Average rating / 5. Vote count:
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
- Interview Attire Styles
Dress For The Interview Location
Interviewing on Zoom or at a companyâs headquarters may determine the garments you choose. For interviewing on Zoom, choose colors that contrast with your background, so that you stand out, but opt for colors that donât clash too much. For interviewing onsite, keep your physical comfort in mind. For example, air-conditioned office spaces can feel frigid after a short period of time of being there, while fitness facilities may feel balmy. For an outdoor location, you may need a durable pair of shoes or a weather-proof coat.
Don’t Miss: System Design Interview Preparation
Research The Company’s Dress Code
You’ve most likely done ample research on the company when prepping for the interview and have a sense of its culture. Such information should inform your decision on what to wear for the interview.
If you’re unsure of the level of formality that’s appropriate, check out photos on their social media sites.
You can also call the HR department and tell them about your upcoming interview. Then explain your dilemma and see if you can get some help.
For a formal workplace, a dark-colored suit is most appropriate.
For ladies, suits can be pantsuits or skirt suits. A dress is also suitable, but it needs to look very professional. It’s wise to wear a jacket with a skirt or a blazer over a dress.
For a casual business workplace, business casual is the way to go.
That means you need to dress like a professional without being too formal. It’s a step away from the dark-colored suit. Wear a dress shirt, blazer, and matching pants, and complete your look with a belt and Oxfords or loafers.
For a more casual workplace, you can wear casual attire as long as it looks professional. Wear dark jeans or slacks and a button-down shirt.
For ladies, dark jeans are also okay, or a knee-length skirt worn with either flats or heels. Just don’t wear open-toe shoes and always make sure that your shoes are nice and polished.
Common Interview Attire Mistakes For Both Men And Women
When youre deciding on what to wear to a job interview, you need to avoid certain mistakes. Luckily, when it comes to how to dress for an interview, figuring out what isnt appropriate is pretty straightforward.
Now, we know that some of you may not see some of the points below as mistakes. Instead, they may be part of your personal style. In that case, you may be wondering, why should you change?
Well, heres the trick. No one is asking you to sell out or change who you are. But heres the fact of the matter, you have to impress during your interview to land the job. While most of us would like to believe that appearance doesnt matter in the professional world, it certainly does. The hiring manager is going to make judgments about you passed on your outfit and style choices thats just the way it is.
With that in mind, heres a quick look at what not to wear to an interview.
Also Check: Cfo Interview
What Accessories To Wear At A College Interview
Again, go simple. A light necklace, bracelet, or watch are perfect accessories. If your jewelry might be distractingwhether for you or for the interviewerleave it at home. Clanky bangles, a statement necklace, or particularly flashy earrings are better for other settings.
One accessory you should bring is a bag. You can keep any papers you get during the interview and tour, a water bottle, and anything else you might need safe and out of the way with an appropriate bag. Avoid backpacks or totes with flashy logos or energy drink branding.
A simple brown or black messenger bag, a plain tote, or similar is a good choice. A plain backpack will also get the job done, but plain is the operative word again, you don’t want to stand out for your clothing choice.
A good business casual outfit should have you feeling like this.
Are A Suit And Tie Considered Professional
When I was interviewing at a local firm, the boss asked me if I thought a suit and tie were professional. I told him no, and explained to him that there are many professional types of things that people wear, but not every professional type thing is appropriate for a job interview.
He then asked why I did not think a suit and tie were professional, and I responded by saying that I was not sure what his definition of professional was, but it did not matter because I was not going to be wearing a suit and tie to my internal job interview.
In fact, I was quite surprised when he said that a suit and tie were not appropriate for a job interview. To me this was very contradicting because he had previously told me that I did not need to dress for the job interview in order to get the job.
However, the ironic part about this is that he asked me to put on a suit and tie for the job interview and yet at the time he asked me if I did not consider it professional.
I can only assume that he meant to say, you need to dress more professionally for the job. The irony of the statement is that I had previously told him I did not need to dress for the job interview because I had no plans to do so, and yet now that I had been asked to put on a suit and tie for the job interview he felt compelled to force me to do so.
You May Like: Questions To Ask A Cfo In An Interview
Keep Your Outfit Simple
During your interview, you want the interviewer to focus their attention on you and get to know you better. Therefore, you need to wear clothing and accessories that will not distract them. As a general tip, avoid wearing clothes with bright or clashing colours and prints. Understanding the organisation’s dress code can also help you determine what items are appropriate. For example, some creative jobs may appreciate bolder outfits that showcase your personality.
Research The Dress Code
Different dress codes can include business professional, business casual, or casual and various in between. So, research the company and look for pictures of staff members. Between social media channels and staff profiles on company websites, you can usually build up a meaningful impression of the dress code employees adhere to.
You can also reach out to your recruiter or your prospective employers HR staff. Confirm whats considered too much or not enough for your interview. These are your most reliable sources. If you have any doubts or reservations, it can be especially helpful to receive confirmation directly from them. For example, you could ask if dress pants and a business shirt are sufficient, or if you should instead lean more towards business casual, such as dress pants and a polo shirt. Or, alternatively, should your outfit lean in the other direction towards a more formal professional clothing choice?
Recommended Reading: Mailscoop Io
You Don’t Need To Spend A Fortune
Visit higher-end stores, like Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus, to look at interview clothes, Glass says. But when you’re ready to buy something and money is tight, head for the outlet stores.
When considering your purchasing options look not so much at the specific price tags on various garments, but at the “cost per wearing,” suggests Glass.
“Suppose you see a suit that’s $150. If it’s a trendy cut and it wasn’t made of great fabric, you might be able to wear it once a month for two years. So your cost per wearing is fairly high,” she says. “If you buy something for $300 instead, in a cut that will last longernot trendy but not old-fashioned either, and not screaming the year it was madeyour cost per wearing goes down dramatically. So don’t look at the original price so much as how long the piece will be useful to you.”
Be Mindful Of Accessories
Similar to the rest of your outfit, your accessories should not distract the interviewer. Accessories may include jewellery, watches, cuff links or bags. It’s a good idea to bring a bag to your interview because it enables you to carry multiple resumes and other application materials. You may also put away any unnecessary items in your bag during the interview, such as your smartphone or headphones. You can choose a slim messenger bag or briefcase in a neutral colour.
Also Check: Preparing For System Design Interview
Rule #: Its Better To Be Safe Than Sorry And Err On The Side Of On Dressing More Professionally
Carmen Rosas, an estate planning attorney, said that she has noticed that the pandemic has definitely relaxed workplace dress codes, but she still believes its best to choose interview attire that is true to your personality while being safe for work no cleavage-baring tops, short skirts, wrinkled shirts or pants that are too tight. While youre interviewing, its better to be safe than sorry, she said.
As a business owner who does all the hiring for my team, Im always keeping in mind that my employees are my brand, and while I want individuals to be true to themselves, they are also representing my firm and my brand, Rosas said. Our wealthy clients dont want their attorneys team showing up in sweatpants, and they also dont expect it. As youre preparing for interviews, keep that in mind. How can you dress according to the brand of the organization or business youre interviewing with?
Of course, buying new professional clothes can get expensive if you want to dress to impress. Jails To Jobs maintains a directory of organizations in different states that give away professional outfits to those who qualify, such as 100 Suits for 100 Men and Dress For Success.
Dressing For A Corporate Interview
Job interviews at companies in traditional industries, such as finance, banking or insurance, generally require more formal corporate attire. In general, this means a suit and tie for men and a pantsuit or skirt and blouse for women.
Men’s Interview Attire
The best interview outfits for men tend to be conservative. Men should always default to wearing a suit.
Here are a few guidelines for men who are interviewing for corporate roles at traditional companies:
- Suit in a solid color such as navy, black or dark gray
- Long-sleeved shirt that is white or color coordinated with the suit
- Leather belt
- Dark socks and conservative leather shoes
- Portfolio or briefcase
Women’s Interview Attire
In general, choosing interview attire for women for corporate roles is a bit more complicated than it is for men. This is because of the increased options available to create an outfit. For instance, the height of the heel is a consideration when in doubt, go for a flat rather than a pump.
Here are the basic considerations for what women should wear to a professional interview:
- Suit in navy, black, or dark gray
- Suit skirt just below or above the knee
- Coordinated blouse
- Portfolio or briefcase
Also Check: Best Interview Attire For A Woman
Blouse Or Dress Shirt Paired With Pants Or Skirt
You can also wear a blouse or dress shirt with pants or a skirt. For a blouse, try to select a soft colour or simple pattern, such as stripes. For pants, choose slacks or khakis. If you want to pair a blouse with a skirt, look for a mid-length skirt, at or right above the knee.
You can customize this look by adding a blazer, cardigan, and simple accessories, like a belt or necklace. When selecting accessories, try to compliment the outfit by selecting colours that match nicely. You can finish this look with a pair of plain flats or dress shoes.
Choose Neutrals Over Brights
Again, you do not want to be remembered for your attire if you wear a very brightly colored suit or dress, you will almost certainly be remembered for your outfit .
Neutral colorsnavy, gray, black, and brownare the best colors for a job interview. White is also an excellent, neutral color for a blouse or button-down shirt. You can certainly add a pop of color to a neutral interview outfit.
Limit the number of brightly colored items to one, and make sure it is not the dominant color of your outfit. No bright orange suits!
For example, a pale blue blouse under a woman’s dark gray suit can subtly soften a look. A splash of bright, bold color conveys authority and can be great for managerial positions.
Don’t Miss: What To Wear For An Interview Women
Business Casual Interview Outfit Examples For Women
Business Casual is a super popular interview style. It’s typically a safe bet too. This look strikes an even balance between casual and corporate, so you can walk into most offices and feel like you fit in.
Your Business Casual outfits should be elevated from your Smart Casual look. You definitely still have room to show your personality here, but there are some staples you should stick to in order to make sure you nail this dress code.
A tailored blazer is the easiest way to class this look up. It doesn’t have to be a formal suit blazer there are tons of other options out there that look a bit more stylish. My other tip for Business Casual is to avoid denim all together .
Women’s Outfit Example #1
Top: Tailored blazer + blouse
Bottom: Navy chinos or cropped dress pants
Shoes: Neutral loafers or flats
Accessories: Minimal. Wear your trusty watch and stud earrings.
If your blazer is black or blue, you can opt for a blouse with a soft pattern. And if you have to go out and buy that blazer, there are tons of reasonably priced options out there that are super cute. I grabbed one from H& M for an interview a few months ago and I style it with my weekend looks all the time now!
Women’s Outfit Example #2
Top / Bottom: Simple knee length black dress + black tights
Shoes: Flats or booties with a low heel
Accessories: Throw on a simple necklace and basic earrings
