Have you ever wondered what to wear on a virtual interview? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “no.” But if it sounds like something that might be helpful to you, then you’re in luck! We’ve put together a list of our top tips for dressing appropriately when interviewing over Skype or Hangouts.

What to wear on virtual interview

So, you’ve been asked to interview for a job remotely. You’re probably thinking that this means you don’t have to dress up—but that’s not the case! It’s easy to feel like you can let your guard down and dress comfortably when you’re interacting with someone from across the country or world, but it’s important to remember that your appearance still matters.

In fact, there are some things about dressing for a virtual interview that are even more important than what you would wear in person. When the interviewer is looking at you through a screen, they’re seeing a representation of who you are and what kind of impression you want to make on them. They may be judging your entire presentation based on how well-dressed and well-groomed you appear!

So what should you wear? Here are some tips:

We all know that dressing for an interview is important—but what about the virtual interview?

Virtual interviews can be a great way to make a professional impression, but it’s important to pay attention to your body language and tone of voice as well. Here are some tips on how to dress for a virtual interview:

  1. Be sure you’re wearing appropriate clothing. Don’t show off too much skin, and avoid bright colors or patterns that might distract from your words.
  2. Dress in layers so you can adjust based on the temperature of where you’ll be meeting.
  3. Pick up a couple of pieces of clothing that are easy to throw on over what you’re already wearing (like leggings or a cardigan) so that you look more put-together than someone who just threw something on over pajamas!

Whether you’re a student looking for your first internship, or a seasoned professional hoping to land your dream job, a virtual interview can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of the job search. There’s no getting around that—but there are some steps you can take to make sure you’re prepared for the interview and walk away feeling confident.

Let’s be honest, we all want to look our best in a video interview. But what exactly IS your best? And how can you make sure that it translates well on camera?

It’s important to know that there are a lot of factors at play here—some of which may seem like common sense, but others that might surprise you. For example, did you know that:

  • You should wear solid colors instead of patterns or prints because they’ll show up better in your video?
  • Avoid any clothing that has lots of texture—you don’t want anything distracting from your face!
  • Darker colors will make you look more professional than pastels and brighter colors.

It is best to treat a virtual interview like a traditional interview – wear a suit or other business attire. Wearing formal clothes makes it easier to be focused and engaged in the conversation.

Deciding what to wear for an interview takes some thought, especially when it’s virtual. You might have job interview clothes in your closet, but they might not be the right fit for you today. Or maybe you’re changing industries and need to update your look. To guide you through what to wear to an interview, we need to understand the virtual interview experience.

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What not to wear to an online interview?
When dressing for an interview it’s important that you don’t wear dirty clothes, clothes that don’t fit you, or clothes that don’t match the context of the interview.

Do your interview clothes fit?
After a few years of remote work from home you might find that your old interview duds no linger fit quite the way they used to. Since the interviewer will likely only see you from your waist up, this means your jacket or top should be tailored to your size. If the clothes are too big, you can get your items tailored so that they look sharp and don’t hang off of you. And in instances where they are too small, don’t despair. Treat yourself to updated interview clothes.

Is your interview attire presentable?
When you work remotely, you might wear old t-shirts and jeans every day. On tough days, you might even be tempted to wear your PJs to your home office. In the context of a job interview, having fresh, ironed clothing is vitally important. If you have a few days before your job interview, you can take your interview outfits to a dry cleaner.

Do the interview outfits match the context?
In most situations, it is hard to go wrong by choosing business attire. Sure, some tech companies have a more casual dress code. That said, dressing up at the interview is a simple way to show you are a professional. When in doubt, dress up!

What should women wear to an interview?
Women’s interview outfits should be comfortable, clean, and presentable. It’s important to reflect confidence, so wear something that makes you feel great! Here are some women’s interview dress ideas:

Female’s professional interview outfit
Interview dress – ah, the classic move when you don’t feel like piecing multiple parts of an outfit together. The interview dress is the trusty companion for busy professionals.
High Heels – here’s a wild card. One of the advantages of a virtual interview is that no one will see your shoes. If wearing formal shoes helps you to focus and feel confident, wear them!
Jacket and slacks – you can update the classic powersuit with fun colors or mix and match items to build a more casual look.
Woman professional interview outfit
Women’s casual interview attire
Jewel-toned t-shirt and statement necklace – As more of the world has begun working remotely, old dress codes have been thrown out the window. Wear a T-shirt to your next casual interview and dress it up with a blazer and statement jewelry.
Blazer and jeans – this is a staple in the tech world and makes a good impression in any casual interview.
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What should men wear to an interview?
Traditionally it was easy for men to choose their interview outfit: they just had to look to the failsafe suit and tie. While this can still be the case depending on the industry, the world of men’s fashion has opened up to include more options. And one of the benefits of working from home is that dresscodes have relaxed. Here are some tips that have withstood the test of time:

Male interview clothes
Suit color – the traditional choice of a navy blue or gray suit is good. These neutral colors have worked well for decades.
Dress Shirt – Wear a dress shirt that offers some contrast with your suit. Wearing a white dress shirt is a good option. To mix it up, you can wear a patterned dress shirt.
Necktie – Wear a necktie with simple colors or designs. Keep the novelty ties in the closet – this is not the same to proclaim your passion for Marvel or Star Wars.
Shoes – Technically, shoes are optional in a virtual interview. However, some people find that wearing formal shoes helps them to stay focused in the interview.
Keep the tuxedo in the closet, though – that doesn’t belong in a virtual interview. If you want to know the best tips for virtual meetings etiquette you can find them in the video below:

Online interview outfits by industry
The above tips on online meeting clothes will work in most cases. That said, there are a few industry-specific tips to keep in mind.

Accounting and law. These professions are focused on offering serious advice to clients in need. Therefore, it is traditional to dress conservatively. We’ll cover law interview clothes in more depth below.
Advertising and Creative Fields. You might experiment with more unusual job interview clothes. For example, consider wearing a remarkable watch or a more creative necktie.
Technology. Some parts of the technology industry are known for their informal dress code. Before showing up in a hoodie, ask people in your network for tips first. Spending five to ten minutes to clarify the dress code can make your job interview experience much less stressful.
Keep reading for more industry-specific tips on virtual job interview clothes.

men’s job interview outfit
What to wear for a media job interview?
When you dress for an interview in the media industry, remember that this is an industry that values appearances more than most fields. You should select clothes that make you look good and feel confident. Look for blues, grays, magentas, and browns. A blue or off-white dress shirt is a good pick.

Avoid repeating patterns like stripes because they tend not to look good on camera. Likewise, bright green and red can cause problems. And try a virtual background to make your interview pop.

For additional insight on what to wear to a media interview, search YouTube for the people you will be meeting with. There’s a good chance you can find a video interview that will give you ideas for the colors and styles that work well for the specific company.

What to wear for an education job interview?
For an interview in the education industry, you’ll want to wear appropriate clothing and muted colors. Here are a few examples to guide your preparation for a virtual interview in the education sector. Before we get to interview clothes, there is one non-clothing item to avoid. Avoid wearing perfume or cologne – many schools restrict these items due to allergies.

Elementary School or High School interview clothes
For men, it is hard to go wrong with a nice dress shirt and slacks(i.e., navy blue or gray is a good bet). For women, there are some options such as a blouse, skirt or slacks.

University interview clothes
Standard job interviews clothes are still a good choice. If you are a school graduate, you might consider wearing a pin or necktie related to the school. Showing your enthusiasm for the college in a subtle way is a nice touch.

Private school interview attire
Some private schools have a dress code. It is a good idea to review the dress code and check that your job interview clothes align with those expectations.

How to dress for a sales interview?
The clothes you wear can help you project an image of success and confidence in the sales world. In that case, you might want to consider buying new clothes for your virtual interview. If money is tight, try looking at thrift shops for gently used items. You can take them to a tailor, and iron them at home to spruce them up.

And even though it doesn’t count as clothing, you can try using an office virtual background to further impress your interviewer!

zoom interview outfit ideas for women
What to wear for a government interview?
Unlike other industries, the government industry is not known for celebrating creative fashion. Conservative style is the best guideline to keep in mind for government interview clothes.

Use the following tips to select job interview clothes for a job with the government.

Men’s job interview outfit. A clean, well-pressed suit in navy blue or gray is an excellent starting point. For a bit of flair, consider wearing a pin with a flag to show your patriotism.
Women’s job interview outfit. Aim for a professional, conservative look.
For additional inspiration, check the website for the government department before your job interview. There will probably be photos of the executives who lead the department which can give you ideas.

How to choose a law interview outfit?
The legal profession has a dress code that is relatively conservative. Both women and men should wear suits for law interviews. Some established law firms in New York were once partially known for their fashion choices (i.e., white-shoe firms). When you prepare for a virtual interview in the legal profession, high-quality formal wear is your best bet.

For additional insight, look at the website of the law firm or department. If the partners all wear conservative suits, you should probably choose job interview clothes that match that style.

How to dress for a tech interview?
For years, the answer to what to wear to a Saas or tech industry interview has been the same: go casual and don’t wear formal clothes. If you’re looking at joining a small startup with a handful of employees, that’s the way to go.

You can research the company culture. Some tech companies strongly encourage casual clothes. Look for photos of the company leadership and people at company events to get a sense of acceptable behavior. In addition, reading employee comments on websites like Glassdoor can give you more insight.

In most cases, you should dress up a bit. Even if the company has a casual style, adding a bit of style to your job interview clothes makes sense. For example, wearing nice jeans and a blazer would be a great outfit for a casual tech company. If the tech job involves working with customers, wearing a suit is a good idea.

Dress for confidence and comfort. In a tech interview, you might face challenging questions. For example, job interviews at Google are complicated (e.g., “If you were asked to wash all the windows in this city, how much would you charge?”). Wearing clothes you like and find comfortable can make it easier to focus.

Virtual interview dress: a simple way to make a great first impression
Success in a webinar hiring session requires preparation and focus. Wearing a good suit is not enough to get you hired, but it can help you make a good impression. It is best to treat a virtual interview like a traditional interview – wear a suit or other business attire. Wearing formal clothes makes it easier to be focused and engaged in the conversation.

What to wear on virtual date

Virtual dating is a growing trend, and it’s not just for teenagers. It’s becoming more common for adults to use virtual dating apps to meet people and make connections. If you’re interested in trying out a virtual date, here are some tips on what to wear.

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, you can schedule virtual dates with anyone in your area, whether they’re looking for love or just want someone new to talk to. You don’t have to worry about how you look on camera—
will take care of that, so all you have to do is show up and be yourself.

And don’t worry: if things don’t work out with someone in real life, they’ll never know it was a date at all!

“I wouldn’t go for a ball gown and full makeup for a Zoom call,” says Hemmings. “Wear something you feel comfortable and relaxed in, but which know you look good in. Don’t just look like you are slobbing around in your jim-jams because you want to present yourself in a good way.”

Do dress up, don’t get drunk: how to have a great virtual date
Face on to the camera or looking slightly upwards is more flattering than looking down.
Face on to the camera or looking slightly upwards is more flattering than looking down. Photograph: PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson/Getty Images
Lockdown or no lockdown, the video-call date is here to stay. Experts reveal how to look your best, keep the conversation flowing and turn that online spark into a face-to-face meeting

Emine Saner
Emine Saner
@eminesaner
Tue 24 Aug 2021 11.30 BST
185
As if first dates aren’t awkward enough, along comes video dating to add an extra layer of tech frustration and misinterpreted body language to the mix. During lockdown, video calls – either within a dating app, or on platforms such as Zoom – took off. But as restrictions lift, many dating experts predict the format is here to stay – or at least that it has become a helpful additional step. Dating apps rolled out video call functions last year, and Hinge found that 65% of people who had been on a virtual date planned to continue post-pandemic. Of Tinder’s younger users (Generation Z daters, in their late teens and early 20s), half have used video dating. So you may as well perfect your on-screen hairstyle, decide what to wear on your upper half and embrace it. Here are some tips on how to succeed.

Get to know the technology
You want to appear to be a functioning, capable person, so make sure you know how your chosen virtual dating platform works – you could practise with a friend first. Think about flattering lighting and angles. If you are looking down at the camera, you will be all chins and nostrils; face on is better, or looking slightly up, so prop your phone or laptop up on something so it’s at the right height. Zoom has an appearance-enhancing filter option, but is this cheating? “Do what you want, but it’s the same with your pictures online,” says the dating and relationships coach Kate Mansfield. “If you’re going to make yourself look better than in normal life, be prepared for the person to be slightly disappointed when they meet you. It’s better the other way around.”

Look at your environment
If you have been using video calls while working from home, consider moving away from your workspace for a date. “Get the ambience as relaxed as possible,” says the psychologist and relationship coach Jo Hemmings. “Tidy up the space behind you. You are gauging somebody on the environment they live in – and we look at people’s bookcases, you notice all sorts of things.” It shouldn’t feel like a job interview – sit in a more relaxed position, even if you are in your workspace. Is doing it from your bedroom too suggestive? If this is the look you’re aiming for, go for it; if not, Hemmings advises against it..

Avoid interruptions
You wouldn’t take your flatmates, parents or pets to a first date, so try to reduce any chance they will gatecrash your video call. If they do, laugh it off, says the dating coach James Preece. “Life does get in the way. It’s funny, something to break the ice.” It may mean revealing something earlier than you would like – perhaps you have children – but be honest, he says. “Let them know that your baby is sleeping and might wake up. If you haven’t told them you have kids, they will think: what are you keeping from me? If you have nosy flatmates, say, ‘My flatmates are probably listening in, but I’m wearing headphones so they can’t hear you.’ It’s about making them feel comfortable.”

Set a time limit
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Video calls are more draining than meeting in person so it’s a good idea to set a time limit. Hemmings suggests an hour at most, “and then return to it another day”. Preece thinks half an hour is enough for a first video date. “The whole point is to get you excited to meet someone in real life. It’s not a date replacement.”

Maintain (some) eye contact
It’s the fastest way to a connection in an unnatural situation, so make sure you look at the camera rather than the screen. Obviously if you’re both doing this, then you won’t be looking at each other’s faces, but will switch naturally between the two. It’s preferable anyway – Hemmings points out that prolonged eye contact in person is sexy but on a screen, “It looks slightly sinister.”

Woman on a video date
Wear clothes that make you feel good, but also comfortable. Photograph: PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou/Getty Images
Dress up
It is a first date, after all, but keep it appropriate. “I wouldn’t go for a ball gown and full makeup for a Zoom call,” says Hemmings. “Wear something you feel comfortable and relaxed in, but which know you look good in. Don’t just look like you are slobbing around in your jim-jams because you want to present yourself in a good way.”

Be safe
Video dating is “probably a lot safer than meeting in person” says psychologist and dating coach Madeleine Mason Roantree. However, you should be aware of the risks. Don’t give out any information that could identify your address. Be wary, says Roantree, of “someone recording the video date, asking you very personal questions or requesting you to be sexual in any way. Do not do anything you are not comfortable with.” Zoom will notify you if the call is being recorded, but not if someone is taking screenshots – and they may be recording with another device or application.

Line the dates up – if you like
One benefit of video dating is that it’s easier, logistics-wise, to have several dates in one evening, as long as you have the stamina. “Just make sure you know why you are doing it,” says Roantree. “Is it to get attention? Is it to be efficient with time in your search for love? If it’s the latter, think about whether you will be fatigued after two video dates, so that a third or fourth date is not showing you at your best. How many times can you talk enthusiastically about yourself?”

Keep the conversation flowing
Both Preece and Roantree are fans of the “36 questions to fall in love”, which can act as prompts to an interesting chat. Preece advises against talking about anything too negative. The pandemic will inevitably be mentioned, “but talk about your experiences in a good way. Don’t say: ‘I really hate it.’ Say: ‘It has been a really good opportunity to reflect on what I want.’ Don’t talk about politics because even if you both agree on the same thing, it’s still putting something else down.”

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Mansfield advises a mix of “lighthearted topics with some deeper conversation – just be wary of it not being too weighted one way or another.” Ask “riskier questions that most people tend to shy away from about what the other person is looking for – try to find out if you share the same values. I would suggest that people have a list of non-negotiables, perhaps that they want to find out before the end of the first video date.” It can save time and feelings if you find out you’re not really after the same things, without being dazzled by in-person chemistry.

Acknowledge awkwardness
Video calls can feel weird, but “the more you do it, the easier it becomes,” says Hemmings. “Don’t expect your first one to run smoothly.” Bring humour in, advises Mansfield, or be “a little bit vulnerable in terms of saying you feel nervous or shy – saying those things out loud can defuse the situation and help everyone relax.” It is normal to be self-conscious on a first date, and video can make it worse as you can see yourself on screen. “Focus on the other person,” says Preece. “If you’re conscious of them, there’s no time to be self-conscious. Spend 60% of the time asking questions and listening. People like people who like them.”

Experts agree a video date is just a bridge between messaging and meeting in person.
Experts agree a video date is just a bridge between messaging and meeting in person. Photograph: Tim Scott/Getty Images
Use activities sparingly
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There has been a trend for doing things together, whether eating dinner at the same time, taking a class or making cocktails. “They are OK for a second date,” says Preece. “The problem with having something too intense and fun is that you are not having good conversation, and that’s the important thing on a first date.” If you would normally have a drink during a date, that’s fine, says Preece. But on a 30-minute date, one drink is probably enough. “Don’t do what one of my clients did and have a five-and-a-half-hour Zoom date and three bottles of wine,” he says.

Plan to meet in person
Most dating experts agree that a video date is only a bridge between messaging and meeting up, and can be useful to weed out time-wasters or those to whom you are not attracted. “Chemistry is almost impossible by video,” says Hemmings. “But I think you can get to know somebody – you can ask questions about their background or what they are interested in.” Don’t do too many video dates or you will run the risk of either friend-zoning your potential partner, or building up a fantasy they won’t live up to in person. “Have one or two video dates and if you’re excited, get on with meeting them,” says Preece. “Make plans there and then. There’s nothing worse than saying, ‘I’ll get back to you when I check my diary’, because you’re at home and your diary is there in front of you. The worst thing you can do with any form of dating is to lose momentum.”

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