Consider the interview location, the dress code of the employer, and current workplace norms when choosing your interview attire.

What to wear?

There are several crucial factors to take into account when selecting interview attire:

• Impressing a potential employer favourably
• During the interview, feeling at ease and self-assured
• dressing suitably for the position you’re applying for: In particular, given the changes in workplace expectations brought on by COVID-19, is the employer’s dress code casual or formal?
• Dressing appropriately for the setting: online or at the company’s headquarters

Remember that presenting your credentials and making informed career decisions are your top priorities. Accordingly, your outfit should enhance rather than detract from the interview’s main objective. By following the straightforward steps listed below, you can confidently choose your interview attire without expending a lot of time or effort on it.

How to choose your interview outfit in 3 easy steps

While saving mental energy for the rest of your interview preparation, follow these steps to choose your interview attire.

1. Take into account general guidelines.

Dress a level higher than what people in the workplace would. For instance, if company executives and workers typically wear jeans and T-shirts, your one step up might be to wear a pair of non-denim pants and a shirt that is tucked in.

Put your comfort and confidence first. Make sure your clothing does not restrict movement or irritate your skin, even if you plan to wear a tie and a button-down shirt, so you can concentrate on the conversation with a potential employer. Even better, wear something you already know is comfortable rather than spending money on new clothing.

Ensure that each piece of clothing in your ensemble is wrinkle- and tear-free and fits you properly. Just these little touches can elevate your appearance.

2. Learn the dress code for the organisation.

In addition to dressing a step up, you should thoroughly understand the environment, culture, dress code, and expectations for workplace attire at the prospective employer. You can determine this by:

• Asking the person who will be conducting your interview about the company’s dress code by phone or email. Here are some inquiries you might make: “What do employees here typically wear?” or “How would you present yourself for a job interview at this company?”
• looking through the company’s social media profiles and website for images that provide hints about the typical attire
• if possible, travelling to the business’s location and observing how the staff is dressed

3. Dress for the interview location

What you wear during an interview on Zoom or at a company’s headquarters may vary. When conducting an interview on Zoom, pick colours that stand out from your background without being overly clashing. Consider your physical comfort when participating in an on-site interview. For instance, after only a short while, air-conditioned offices can start to feel chilly, while exercise facilities can start to feel warm. You might need a sturdy pair of shoes or a windproof coat for an outdoor location.

What to avoid wearing to an interview

Choosing your interview attire is somewhat up to you, but there are a few things to stay away from:

• heavy cologne or perfume
• numerous accessories
• Shirts that are wrinkly, torn, or poorly fitted
• Wearing clothes that make you feel uneasy, constrictive, or completely out of character
• a look that is inconsistent with the culture or brand of the business you want to work for
• a fusion of strikingly dissimilar patterns, colours, and textures
• Athletic shoes or flip flops