Like it or not, you will be judged on how you look in your job interview. Putting a little effort into your appearance shows that you pay attention to detail and care enough to present yourself professionally. Although there's no one way to dress, how to dress for a job interview will give you some good tips on how to make that critical first impression.
Unless you're interviewing over the phone, you'll want to pay careful attention to what you wear when trying to secure that regular paycheck you've been after. Like it or not, your appearance could actually make or break your chances of getting your dream job, so you won't want to make it an afterthought.
But what is the appropriate way to dress for an interview? What should you be sure to do before walking into a situation where you'll be judged on how you look? This page will give you some tips on nailing your outfit so you can keep your mind completely on nailing the interview.
Dress Code Basics
Here are some general tips to follow if you're fretting about what to wear to your job interview.
If you're not sure, just ask! If you don't know what the appropriate dress is for your interview, the human resources department will be happy to clue you in on their fashion atmosphere.
Keep it clean (and wrinkle-free). It seems like obvious advice, but you don't want to walk into an interview with grass stains on your pants. And don't forget to iron those wrinkles out of your shirt!
Be well-groomed. Your clothes aren't the only important element of your appearance.
Your hair should be clean, trimmed, and in place. Rolling out of bed with morning hair and straight into the car is a bad idea.
Men should be clean-shaven or have neatly-trimmed facial hair.
Make sure you're showered and smelling nice (but don't overdo it with the cologne/perfume). This means you should avoid smoking before the interview so the smell doesn't cling to your clothes.
Don't forget to brush your teeth! Mouthwash couldn't hurt, either.
Your fingernails should be trimmed, clean, and free of flashy nail polish.
Err on the side of caution. If you're not completely sure if your outfit is appropriate, always default to dressing more formal rather than less.
Even if you're told to dress "business casual," think more "business" than "casual" when deciding what to wear.
Be comfortable! A three-piece suit may not be comparable to a t-shirt and jeans, but you should still be sure you're dressed as comfortably as the situation allows.
The more comfortable you feel, the more relaxed you will be in your interview.
If you need new clothes, buy 'em! You don't have to buy a whole new wardrobe for the purposes of your interview, but if your khakis are frayed around the edges or your shoes have seen better days, you should consider replacing them.
Cut off any tags and peel off any stickers that are on your new clothes.
Cover up those tattoos. If you have any visible tattoos, cover them up with clothing if at all possible.
Have your clothes ready the night before. If you don't realize your shirt has a stain on it until an hour before you have to leave, you're in trouble. Lay your interview clothes out the night before to be sure everything is in order.
General rule: keep it conservative. If you learn nothing else from reading this, just remember that when in doubt, always choose an outfit that is less flashy. You want your attire to make you look like a professional, not call attention to the neon shirt you're wearing. Or, as CollegeGrad.com so aptly puts it, you should be doing the talking, not your clothes.
More Tips for Men
Suit yourself. Most of the time, men should wear suits to job interviews. A navy blue or darker gray suit is usually your best bet, while black is seen as less apropos.
Wear a tie. If you're going to wear a suit, you'll need to know how to tie a tie. And keep the tie simple and classy—a simple pattern or solid color silk tie works better than your favorite Looney Tunes characters.
Blue and black socks are best. Leave your white socks in the drawer and stick to dark colors.
Hair care. Your hair should be clean and neatly trimmed. Short is usually better than long for the guys.
Minimize jewelry. Men should avoid wearing jewelry other than watches. This includes any piercings you may have.
Polish those shoes. Shoes count for something in your outfit, too. Wear a nice, clean pair. Preferably, they should be comfortable, too.
Business Casual Tips
If you decide that going business casual is the way to go, you still don't want to get too casual. Be sure to:
Wear a collared dress shirt with a tie.
Stick to long sleeves, even if the weather is warm.
Tuck in your shirt.
Wear a belt.
Wear a clean pair of dress shoes.
More Tips for Women
Suiting up. A dark-colored two-piece suit is a classy way to look professional.
Either pants or a skirt are acceptable.
Go easy on the jewelry. Stick to the basics if you're going to wear jewelry, and avoid anything that's particularly distracting.
If you're used to wearing a ring on every finger and 12 facial piercings, leave some of it at home.
Dress conservatively. You'll want to avoid short skirts and other revealing clothing (i.e. no cleavage).
Not only does it look unprofessional, but it could make your potential employer take you less seriously.
A little makeup goes a long way. While wearing some makeup is OK, layering it on is a bad idea.
Walk a mile in your own shoes. That might be a bit extreme, but your shoes should be comfortable. Closed-toe pumps or ballet flats are a good choice.
Tips for Specific Jobs
Although generally it's hard to go wrong wearing a suit to a job interview, different attire is appropriate in different industries. Monster.com has a good overview of ways to dress for interviews in various industries including technology, government, and sales positions.