When preparing for a job interview, wearing the right outfit can help you feel comfortable and confident. While a hiring manager will interview you based on your credentials and the information in your application documents, dressing appropriately can also help you make a strong first impression. Understanding how to dress can help you demonstrate your professionalism and preparedness. In this article, we discuss how to dress for a job interview and how to match your outfit to your prospective work environment.
How to dress for a job interview
The right interview outfit can help you feel confident and professional. Here are some specific tips on how to dress for your next job interview:
- Research the company’s dress code. When you’re preparing for your interview, consider researching the company’s dress code to learn more about their expectations. Even if their dress code is casual, it may benefit you to look more professional than the employer requires.
- Choose clothing that matches the climate and season. To ensure you’re comfortable during your interview, try to choose clothes that align with the climate and season. For example, you may not want to wear sandals if it’s raining outside.
- Check for pet hair or any noticeable defects. Another way to ensure you look professional for your interview is to check your clothing for any pet hair, holes or stains. You may not want to wear clothing items with these details since it can prevent the interviewer from focusing on your professionalism and credentials.
- Ensure clothing is pressed and wrinkle-free. Regardless of what you decide to wear to your interview, it’s a good idea to press, steam or iron your clothes before meeting with a prospective employer. This can help you show that you took time to prepare for the interview and care about your appearance in the workplace.
- Choose your outfit in advance. The night before your interview, consider laying out or hanging up the outfit you plan to wear. This can help you save time and allow you to review all the clothing items together to make sure they match and suit the role for which you’re applying.
- Be yourself. You can use an interview as an opportunity to display your personality and show a hiring manager more about yourself than what’s listed on your application documents. For example, if you like bold colors, then you may choose to wear a bright-colored top with neutral pants.
How to match your outfit to the workplace
If you’ve already researched the company, you should have a sense of the workplace and what level of formality is appropriate. Look at photos on their social media sites to get a sense of what people wear at the office. When you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to wear something clean and professional. Here are some types of workplaces you may encounter, and what to wear during an interview:
Casual workplace
For more casual workplaces, professional-looking casual job interview attire is appropriate. The following is a suggested guide to a casual workplace interview outfit:
- Dark jeans or pants
- A blouse, button-down shirt or polo, either with patterns or bold colors
- A knee-length skirt
- A knee-length dress
- A cardigan
- Flats or heels, closed-toe shoes that are neat and clean
- Jewelry that complements the outfit
Business casual workplace
You may want to dress up a bit more for a business casual environment, especially if you’re applying for a client-facing role. The following is a suggested guide to a business casual workplace interview outfit:
- Black or navy dress pants
- Black or navy dress knee-length dress or pencil skirt
- Button-down shirt or blouse
- Cardigan or jacket (blazer is optional)
- Flats, heels, oxfords or loafers
- Belts and ties are optional
- Jewelry that complements the outfit but isn’t too bold
Business formal workplace
For a formal workplace, you might dress up even more. The following is a suggested guide for a formal workplace interview outfit:
- A dark-colored suit
- A tailored dress with a matching jacket
- A knee-length skirt with a matching jacket
- Suit pants, button-down shirt or blouse and jacket
- A tie
- Closed-toed shoes, flats or heels, oxfords
- Classic jewelry that complements the outfit but isn’t bold
Tips for dressing for an interview
Here are some tips to help you ensure you wear the right outfit during your job interview:
Be prepared
Allow yourself enough time to get dressed before your interview. As part of this preparation, research how long it will take to get to the interview location and allow yourself extra time in case of traffic.
Research the employer’s tattoo policy
Many employers consider it acceptable to display tattoos in the workplace. However, depending on the industry, you may want to research if tattoos are acceptable.
Avoid strong cologne or perfume
If you wear perfume or cologne be mindful of how much you put on so as not to have too overpowering of a scent. Too strong of a cologne or perfume can distract the hiring manager, and some people may have allergies to perfume or cologne.
Source – https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-dress-for-a-job-interview