It can be challenging to figure out what to wear to an interview. You want to dress to impress, yet you want to avoid making a bad impression.
Many people make the mistake of having a go-to outfit for all their interviews and focusing on their qualifications and answers instead.
Well, in-person interviews are about evaluating your looks and how you’d fit in with the company!
Luckily, figuring out what to wear is pretty simple if you do your research. Your outfit should align with the company’s culture and the position you’re applying for.
If you’re unsure, there are a couple of no-fail options you can choose from.
Does It Matter What I Wear in an Interview?
What you wear to an interview will significantly alter your chances of getting the job. You might think that only your qualifications and answers matter in an interview, but that’s not the case.
The recruiter can assess your experience and qualifications through your resume. If they want any extra information, it’s more time-efficient to conduct a phone interview.
In-person interviews allow the recruiter to evaluate each candidate and how well they’d fit in with the company. Then, they’re able to make their final decision.
Typically, recruiters will specify the interview’s dress code. If they don’t, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask them!
Why Does Wearing the Right Thing Matter in an Interview?
First impressions are important, especially in job interviews. You want to convey to the recruiter that you’re professional and serious.
Wearing an appropriate outfit will also show that you’ve done your research. That’s because each company has its work attire and culture.
Moreover, each job has a specific dress code. For example, IT employees often wear smart casual attire. In contrast, sales employees always have a sharp and put-together look.
You want to blend in with the company culture from the get-go!
The interviewer should feel like they’re talking to a coworker instead of a candidate. This will increase your chances of getting the job.
What to Wear to an Interview: Best Practices
When you’re preparing for an interview, it’s crucial to consider your outfit as well as practice your answers. It isn’t as simple as choosing a sleek suit, though!
Instead, you should consider the following:
Company’s Culture
The safest option you have is to refer to the interview’s dress code. If the recruiter didn’t specify one, then you should research the company’s culture.
Some workplaces value comfort and encourage their employees to dress casually. In this case, your best bet is to wear business casual attire. However, other companies might have a strict dress code.
Nevertheless, employees are the face of the company. So, they must be well-dressed, even if they’re wearing casual clothes.
If you’re unsure what to wear, you can research people who work at the company for inspiration.
Some workplaces might be more lenient towards colorful clothes, accessories, and piercings, while others prefer a natural, serious look.
Position
You want your outfit to match the position you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a PR role, it makes sense to wear fashionable clothes. Yet, some roles, such as accounting and finance jobs, are more sensible.
A good rule of thumb is to dress as if you’ve been in the industry for longer than you have. If it’s your first time applying for a certain role, think about what other professionals in the field are wearing!
Though you want to dress for success, you shouldn’t overdo it. This can also leave a bad impression. If you dress too glamorously, you might give off the impression of being shallow and unprofessional.
Details
The small details are what ultimately create the bigger picture! Once you have your outfit ready, you should consider your shoes, hair, accessories, nails, and even perfume!
Your hair should match the company’s standards. If you have colorful hair, you might need to dye it a natural color.
As for your nails, the safest option would be to keep them short and clean. You should smell clean and fresh, but your perfume shouldn’t be overpowering.
What Is Acceptable to Wear to an Interview?
You might be completely unsure of what to wear in some instances. Fortunately, some options are fool-proof and can help you make a good impression, regardless of the company or the position.
For example, if you’re a teenager applying for a service or retail job, you wouldn’t know what to expect. After all, you can’t go to the interview wearing the store’s uniform!
Still, dressing properly as a teenager will make all the difference.
Interview Attire for Men
Men’s interview attire is simple. When in doubt, you should go for a well-fitted suit and a white shirt.
Here are the dos of men’s interview attire:
- A neutral-colored suit
- Tucked, solid shirt
- Simple necktie with a conservative pattern
- Polished, dark shoes
- Appropriate solid socks
- Trimmed facial hair
- Minimal accessories
If the job you’re applying for calls for casual attire, you can play around with the shirt and tie. Simply swap the solid shirt for a colorful one, and forgo the suit jacket and tie!
Interview Attire for Women
Women’s interview attire might be a bit complicated. You can choose from pants, dresses, and skirts. The outfit also changes depending on the dress code.
If the dress code is business formal, or if there isn’t any dress code, here’s what to wear:
- A solid, dark-colored suit with matching pants or skirt
- Tucked, neutral shirt
- Flat shoes or three-inch heels
- Solid pantyhose
- Appropriately-styled hair
- Minimal accessories
Casual job interview attire for females is somewhat different. Here are the dos of business casual wear:
- Long-sleeved top with a high neckline
- Long skirts or dress pants of any color
- Flat shoes or heels less than three inches high
- Natural hair
- Any type of accessories
What Should You Not Wear to an Interview?
Figuring out what not to wear to an interview is just as essential as finding the perfect interview outfit.
There are some common mistakes that both men and women make that immediately put them in an unfavorable position, or even disqualify them.
What Men Should Avoid Wearing
The workplace, particularly interviews, isn’t a place to show off your style.
Since there are limited options when it comes to men’s work attire, straying from them can make you stand out in the wrong way!
Here’s what you should stay away from when picking what to wear to an interview:
- Bright-colored suits
- Ill-fitting clothes
- Wrinkled shirts and pants
- Sneakers and casual shoes
- Unpolished dress shoes
- Disheveled facial hair
What Women Should Avoid Wearing
Women have unlimited options when dressing for interviews. Unfortunately, many candidates can easily go overboard.
There’s also more room for mistakes. Instead of the recruiter focusing on your talent and qualifications, they might be distracted by the wrong heel length or inappropriate interview makeup.
Here’s what to avoid when dressing for interviews:
- Brightly patterned suits
- Sleeveless tops or deep necklines
- Skirts shorter than the tip of your fingers
- Patterned pantyhose
- Bright makeup or red lipstick
- Heels over four inches
- Open-toed heels or sandals
What Neither Men Nor Women Should Wear
Typically, there are certain dress codes for men and women in the workplace. Yet, some clothing and accessories have no place in an interview, despite the gender.
You must understand that interviews should be solely about the company and the position. You shouldn’t make a statement or attempt to gain attention.
Though it might seem disheartening, you also shouldn’t show off your personality through your clothes. You’ll have plenty of time for that once you land the job!
Here are some things you should avoid at all costs:
- Incorrect dress code
- Shirts with political prints or patterns
- Shorts, hoodies, tank tops, and T-shirts
- Excessive piercings
- Visible tattoos
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some common questions you might ask yourself before your interview:
What color is best for an interview?
The safest colors for interviews are solid neutrals. For men, stick with black, navy, or gray suits. You should also have a matching shirt, preferably white, and a solid necktie.
Women should wear neutral, conservative suits in either black or navy. While you can wear a patterned shirt, keep it neutral and avoid bright colors and bold patterns.
Is it okay to wear jeans to an interview?
Some hiring managers in casual work environments might be okay with jeans. They can even be wearing jeans themselves!
That said, you’d be pushing your luck by wearing jeans to an interview. Since you want to be the best-dressed candidate, opt for a business casual look instead.
Wrapping Up
What to wear to an interview?
It’s important to dress the part when going in for an interview. That’s because the recruiter is probably evaluating your look to see if you’re a good match for the company.
Don’t be shy to ask the recruiter for the interview’s dress code either. Then, you should research the company and the role to find out what other professionals are wearing.
This will help you blend in with the company and make a good impression on the hiring manager!
