You’ve got a job interview coming up, and you’re feeling pretty confident in your suit. But now that you’re getting closer to the big day, you might be wondering what other clothing will make a good impression on your interviewer.
Here are a few wardrobe options for an interview:
- A solid blouse or button-up shirt in a neutral color like black or navy with a pair of khaki pants or skirt (you can also wear this with a pencil skirt if the company has dress code). This is perfect for showing that you’re comfortable and professional at the same time.
- A red or blue blazer over a white button-up shirt or t-shirt in case the weather gets chilly later in the day (and it probably will). If you have long hair, keep it tied back with either a headband or barrette so that it doesn’t get in your face while you’re talking with your interviewer!
- A patterned dress that’s appropriate for work—this shows that you’re not afraid to stand out from the crowd! Just make sure that your outfit is still professional enough to convince them to hire you (no cleavage shots here!).
Outfits to Wear to an Interview
Professional / Business Interview Attire
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Generally, a job interview calls for you to wear professional, or business, attire.
For men, this might mean a suit jacket and slacks with a shirt and tie or a sweater and button-down. For women, a blouse and dress pants or a statement dress is appropriate.
You can also incorporate some modern style trends into your outfit. All interviewees should consider color when selecting an interview outfit and avoid wearing anything too bright or flashy that will distract the hiring manager.
Interview Outfits for Women
Woman leaving job interview
The more important thing to consider when you’re dressing for a job interview is that you should look professional and polished regardless of the type of position you’re seeking.
Even though your interview attire depends on the role you’re applying for, no matter what the position, you should go to the interview looking neat, tidy, and well-dressed. Here’s how to make the best impression at every interview you go on.
Interview Outfits for Men
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It can be challenging to put a professional interview outfit together. Here are some basic tips for men on how to dress for an interview, including what colors to wear, whether to wear a tie (and what kind), and more.
Non-Professional / Business Casual Interview Attire
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If you have a job interview in a more informal work environment, you might wear a business casual outfit. Business casual outfits are less formal than a suit, but they are also more professional and polished than, say, a T-shirt and shorts or a sundress and sandals.
Of course, make sure you know the dress code before you assume that business casual is acceptable. If you aren’t sure, call the office and ask the administrative coordinator, or contact the person who scheduled the interview and ask them for advice.
Always dress a bit more professionally than the average employee at the company. If everyone is wearing shorts and T-shirts, for example, you might wear khakis and a Polo shirt or button-down.
Casual Interview Attire
Start-up Team
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If you have an interview at a startup company, nix the head-to-toe formal business attire. You want to look appropriate and professional, but not too formal.
Rather than showing up in a black suit and dress shoes, opt for something that is relaxed but still presentable: relaxed-fit khakis, dark-wash jeans, and a nice top, for example.
College Job Interview Attire
College students
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Make sure to dress professionally when interviewing for a professional job or internship as a college student. It’ll show that you’ll know how to behave in a professional manner if you’re hired.
Less formal attire is acceptable when interviewing for campus jobs and more informal workplace jobs. However, you still want to dress professionally for most positions, even if they are entry-level. Review these tips for college women and college men on what to wear to an interview, as well as what to wear for an interview for an internship.
Internship Interview Attire
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Internships are an important part of career development, and as with any job, acing your interview is one part of getting the position you want. Making a great first impression–coming across as polished, professional, and attentive–is important when it comes to your internship search.
Here’s what to wear for an internship interview based on whether the company environment is formal, casual, or somewhere in between.
Summer Job Interview Attire
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Are you interviewing for a summer job? Typically, these jobs are more casual and do not require professional attire. You can skip the suit. However, you still want to look polished and professional.
Here are tips on what to wear to make the best impression, including interview attire for male and female applicants, what to bring with you, and how to dress for a casual interview.
Warm Weather Interview Attire
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Do you have an interview in the hot summer months? There are a few things you can do to look professional but still feel cool in a job interview.
Review tips on what to wear for a warm-weather interview depending on the work environment and type of job.
How to Choose Interview Accessories
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When wearing accessories to an interview, less is more. Choose accessories that will enhance your interview attire, not overwhelm it.
Best Job Interview Hairstyles
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There are lots of ways to style your hair for a job interview. While some options are trendy and others are more traditional, remember that your hairstyle should not distract the employer. You will want your hair to be professional and polished, like your entire outfit.
Here are the best job interview hairstyles for short, medium-length, and long hair.
How to Do Your Makeup for a Job Interview
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Like your hair, your makeup should not distract the interviewer. This is not the time for bold lipstick or a glittery eye shadow. Instead, keep makeup subtle and unobtrusive.
Check out these interview makeup do’s and don’ts before you get ready to interview.
What Not to Wear on an Interview
How to Dress for an Interview Female
When it comes to the job interview, you want to make sure you are dressed to impress.
What you wear to an interview is as important as what’s on your resume. We’ve all heard varying advice on the dress code for a job interview, and you probably don’t know who exactly to trust on this matter. Can you get creative? Can you show personality? Are neutral colors the only way to go?
No matter what type of interview you are going to during the job search, you want to make a positive impression while still appearing professional and suitable for the position. Read below for tips on how to dress for an interview, from internships to executive-level positions.
What qualifies as appropriate attire to wear to an interview?
Black, white, gray, navy blue, brown, or beige are all acceptable colors to wear when it comes to a job interview. You can add a touch of color by wearing hints of light blue, pale pink, or a light yellow and still convey professionalism. Dress pants, pencil skirts, knee-length dresses, blazers, neutral or light-colored blouses, sweaters, cardigans, tights, and suits are all acceptable forms of interview attire. Dress shoes should be closed-toed heels, flats, or short boots.
Definitely avoid bright colors, knee-high boots, anything furry, flip flops, loud accessories, and smelly perfume. Also, make sure you do your research beforehand and figure out what type of company you are interviewing for in terms of dress. For example, this is how you should dress for the two most common types of companies.
Business Casual: You can choose between either dress pants or a pencil skirt with a nice blouse or button down shirt, or a knee-length dress. While the name says casual, you want your appearance to be neat, presentable, professional, and polished.
Business Formal: For a more formal setting, you want to go with either a pantsuit, statement dress, dress pants or pencil skirt with a nice blouse and blazer, or a knee-length dress with a blazer. You want to look as professional and business-appropriate as possible for this job interview.
If you are interviewing for a creative or artistic position, you can add a bit more flair to your outfit, but keep it minimal and strategic. For example, you can add a piece of jewelry you made, more color, or a statement bag.
Now that you know what type of clothing you should be wearing, what are the correct combinations for the different positions you will be applying to or interview situations you might find yourself in?
What to wear to a job interview in every situation
Internships
Recruiters and hiring managers won’t expect you to be in a full suit for an internship interview, but you should still dress professionally and strive for a good impression while still being as comfortable as possible. A pencil skirt or slacks with a nice blouse or a nice dress will show you are professional without breaking the bank.
Startup positions
Startup jobs are often more casual than higher-level positions. Dressing for this type of casual interview is similar to dressing for an internship. While you want to make an impression, dressing up too much could make everyone uncomfortable and show that you didn’t do your research beforehand.
Entry-level positions
When interviewing for an entry-level position, take a look at the company culture to determine how dressed up you should be. If the culture is business-casual or you can’t find the information, dress pants, pencil skirt, and a nice blouse will be fine. If the company is business-professional, dress in a suit or dress with a blazer.
Mid-to-Senior level positions
At this point in your career, business formal is the way to go unless you know the company culture is casual. Since you will more than likely be moving up in your career in this type of interview, you want to show you are professional and ready for the new responsibility by having it reflected in your outfit.
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.
Skype or video interviews
Skype and video job interviews should be treated the same as face-to-face interviews when it comes to attire. Depending on the level of the position you are interviewing for, you should take the above tips and apply them to online interviews. You want to make sure your video interview is in a setting that is professional and appropriate for the interview; the interviewer doesn’t want to see your dirty room behind you.
Phone interviews
This one seems odd, right? Why bother dressing nicely for this type of interview? But with phone interviews, while the recruiter can’t see you, dressing in something nice will give you a confidence boost and make you feel more professional while speaking to them.
When preparing for an interview, you want to research the company and the culture to know how to dress. If you know someone who works there, it’s fine to ask. If it’s somewhere you have been before, you can pick your interview outfit based on how you saw others dress. You want to make sure the outfit fits and is as comfortable as possible — it should make you feel confident.
Dressing appropriately will help you make a great first impression so you can wow recruiters with your accomplishments and personality. Dress to impress and you’ll rock the interview!
