How to Dress for An Interview

You should know how to dress for an interview if you’ve managed to get your foot in the door after the application process.

To be able to secure a job that you desire is a major accomplishment, so don’t take any chances when it comes to what to wear for your important occasion.

Knowing what to wear to a job interview can be challenging, especially if you haven’t had many interviews before now. Your appearance at the interview will be judged as an expression of who you are and your approach to work. 

You should understand that your hair, clothes, and shoes will all be viewed by your interviewer as indicators of your status, self-care, self-confidence, and self-worth.

If you present a good image of yourself to your potential employer, they’ll certainly feel that you look right and that they can see you on the job.

However, if you get your appearance wrong, you’ll find it difficult to overcome any negative preconceptions you created as a first impression.

This post may contain affiliate links as explained in our Disclosure Policy

What should you wear?

What you should wear will depend on the company you’re having the interview with. Find out as much as you can about the company.

You may speak to employees at the company, or to friends who work in a similar environment.

You may also call the HR department of the company and ask them if they have a dress code. Funnily, there’s no harm in hanging around outside the offices of the company where you’ll be interviewed, just so you can check out what the staff is wearing.

Read also: What To Wear To Your Job Interview

Also, depending on your profession or the sector you’ll be working in, you should have an idea about what to wear. For instance, if you’re interviewing to work in a conservative company such as a bank or a large corporation, you’d expect to wear a well-fitting business suit in black, dark blue, or grey.

You should complement the attire with a well-ironed shirt and a simple tie if you’re a man. Complete your dressing with a pair of clean, polished leather shoes.

If you’re a woman, you can’t go wrong with a trouser suit or skirt suit in neutral colors with a shirt or blouse.

You should keep your makeup to a minimum and avoid distracting accessories like garish, bulky, or dangly necklaces. Remember to not go too high on your heels.

If you’re interviewing to work in a place that has a more relaxed dress code like an advertising or consultancy agency, you shouldn’t dress too casually. Consider formal dressing as well, but a suit may be too formal.

You should appear clean and smart, and you do not ever wear jeans to an interview.

Read also: Power of Appearance

Although your physical appearance won’t be the deciding factor at your interview, it’s important that you project the correct image. That way, you’ll have a leg up on the competition.

Read also: How to Avoid Writing a Bad Resume

Dos and Don’ts of how to dress for an interview

• You should try on your outfit beforehand, hopefully your interview date. This way, you don’t have to panick about what to wear on the morning of your interview.
• If you’re a man, remember to shave. Also, and make sure your clothing is clean and well-ironed.
• You shouldnt wear anything that makes you feel self-conscious or distracted.
• Don’t overdo it with the sexiness. Your professionalism and comprehension of the work environment should be the first things your interviewer notices – not your sexy dressing.