You’ve fine-tuned your CV, found the job of your dreams and potentially sailed through a phone interview – congratulations. But, once you’ve got a job interview, there’s more hard work to come. You’ve got to make a great first impression in person in order to beat the competition and secure yourself the role.
When you’re an interviewee, you need to show yourself in the best possible light. A huge part of this is what you wear. So, what’s the best way to dress for a job interview?
Why does it matter what I wear?
Of course, you have more to offer than what you wear. But dress badly and they’ll remember the clothes; dress well and they’ll remember the candidate.
That isn’t to say what you wear should stand out. Rather, the clothes you wear should let you, your talents and your personality shine – and make a lasting impression. Wearing the right outfit will give you confidence too. No-one feels great in pyjamas, unless they’re staying in bed.
There’s also some statistics in favour of great interview outfits too. According to research from College Atlas, 65% of hiring managers say clothes can be the deciding factor between two similar candidates. What you wear also makes a difference from the very start, as statistics show first impressions are determined by the following factors.
55% by the way you dress, act, and walk through the door.
38% by the quality of your voice, grammar, and confidence.
7% by the words you choose to say.
General advice for choosing an outfit
An interview outfit isn’t about making a fashion statement, or wearing the latest style of clothing. In fact, the clothes you wear to an interview are probably some of those you’ll own for the longest because of their timeless style and simplicity.
As a good starting point, your outfit should meet these three criterias:
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It should be smart. If you’re in doubt, it’s best to be ‘too’ smart for an interview, rather than not smart enough.
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It should be appropriate. No slogans, no underwear on show and no garish colours or styles.
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It should be clean. You’d think this would go without saying. But sometimes it’s tempting to throw something on without a wash – especially if it requires dry cleaning. Nevertheless, a job interview demands the extra effort.
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There are also some styles to avoid. These include:
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Ill-fitted clothes. Is your suit the one you wore to your school prom? Are the arms a bit short and the waistband a bit tight? It’s time to upgrade. Keep an eye on the sales to make sure you look the part, without paying a fortune.
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Excessive patterns or accessories. Bear in mind the saying ‘less is more’ when it comes to patterns, colours and accessories. You don’t want your outfit to be distracting. This goes for aftershave and perfume too. Keep it fresh, not overpowering.
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Unironed outfits. There’s no excuse for not running an iron over your outfit the night before an interview to ensure it’s fresh and ready to go.
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YOU should be the focus of the interview, not your outfit – so take a conservative approach to style. You can always try outlandish shirts on your new colleagues, once you’ve got the job.
One of the most important things to avoid in an interview is being too casual – as this may translate to having a lax attitude to work or a lack of understanding of business etiquette. It doesn’t matter whether this is the case or not – if it’s the perception the interviewer forms of you, it won’t be good news.
More than anything though, you should feel comfortable in your chosen outfit. You’ll stick out like a sore thumb if you’re uncomfortable in what you’re wearing. Test out what it’s like to sit down in the outfit for some time too, to ensure you won’t be fidgeting and adjusting your clothes in the interview. It’s off-putting for you and the interviewer.
If you’re still a bit stuck, there are also some slightly different considerations, whether you’re male or female. Take a look at our ideal outfits for each gender below.
The best interview outfits for males
As a general rule, men should opt for a fitted suit with a clean, elegant shirt and tie. With seemingly so little choice, it’s surprising it can still go so wrong. Review your outfit to check if it complies with our dos and don’ts of a great interview outfit.
Do wear a tie
Do take a smart briefcase-style bag (not a rucksack), in case they have anything to give you
Do stick to plain, darker coloured suits
Don’t think trainers are a good idea
Don’t wear brightly coloured socks
Don’t forget to polish your shoes
The best interview outfits for females
There are arguably more options for females – which can make the decision easier, or harder (whichever way you look at it). In addition to a tailored suit, you can pick from a skirt suit or a smart dress and jacket. There’s also typically more variation in styles of women’s clothing, so refer to our dos and don’ts to check your outfit is the best it can be.
Do wear a smart tailored jacket, whether you’ve chosen to wear a dress, skirt or trousers
Do wear some colour
Do be yourself and feel comfortable
Don’t wear heels that are too high, especially if you’re struggling to walk
Don’t over-accessorise
Don’t wear skirts that are too short or tops that are too low
Personal appearance
In addition to your outfit, you’ve got to think about your personal appearance. After all the time spent choosing the perfect outfit, you don’t want to spoil it with a scruffy appearance.
Do you need a haircut? Boys, is it time you had a shave? Girls, have you considered what your makeup will look like? You’re not going on a night out – keep makeup low key. Your best bet is to stick with a light coat of mascara, a touch of powder and some tinted lip balm.
There are also considerations for the day – remember to brush your teeth and maybe have a mint prior to the interview, for instance. Also, check your outfit over for any unfortunate last-minute stains.
Details you might forget
Extra details can make all the difference. But with all of the other things you’ve got to think about – getting there on time and researching the latest industry news, for instance – it’s easy to forget some. Here’s a reminder of some of the particulars that can refine your look.
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Adapting your outfit for different weather scenarios
Don’t panic if it’s raining on the day of your interview – or if it’s extremely warm, for that matter. Interview outfits can easily be adapted. Add a smart jumper over your shirt if it’s cold, and take a coat. Or, if you’d rather, a scarf could be used to add a bit of colour and keep you warm
For sunny days, stick to pale colours to avoid sweat marks and pick thinner materials where possible. Women have a bit more flexibility in terms of shoes that keep your feet cool, but it’s worth both men and women investing in socks designed for summer.
Also, just because you’ve taken a suit jacket doesn’t mean you have to wear it for the whole interview. If you’re getting uncomfortable, feel free to remove the jacket. A jacket is great, because you can also take it off if you feel like the office dress code is less formal than you anticipated.
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Industry-specific considerations for interview outfits
All the best career advice will have told you to tailor your CV and cover letter to the specific role and company you’re applying to. This goes for your outfit too. All the advice given thus far is targeted for office-based businesses.
But, if you’re going to be working outside, you won’t be wearing smart clothes every day. You still might like to make an effort for the interview though. Wearing a full suit probably isn’t necessary – just a shirt and smart trousers could do. If you’re in doubt, check with the person who organised the interview.
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Understanding business casual
If your interview organiser has specified business casual for the dress code, it can be even more confusing. It sometimes seems like a bit of an elusive concept, as different businesses seem to have varying takes on business casual – all at different stages on the spectrum between smart and casual.
But, generally speaking, business casual means three things: no jeans, no trainers and no t-shirts. Rather, it’s a mix and match of smart items and those less casual. For example, wear casual trousers with a shirt but forget about the tie or throw a blazer over a day dress.
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Ten top tips for the interview
If you’ve followed our tips to ensure you’ll be the focus of the interview and not your outfit, we also have some tips for the rest of the occasion. After all, it’s not all about what you wear.
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Plan your journey. There’s nothing worse than being late – or fretting about being late and getting yourself worked up. Figure out how long it’ll take you in the best and worst case scenarios and aim for a plan that will get you there at least 10 minutes early.
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Research the company (more). In order to land the interview, you’ve already found out about the company – but do some more research. Look up their blog and the latest news in the industry for good talking points.
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Find out the interviewer(s) name(s). And remember it.
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Don’t let anyone put you off. Sometimes you might be sat alongside other interviewees before you go in. Don’t focus on them – or anyone else – you just need to think about your performance.
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Tell them stories, not clichés. Talk about when you’ve demonstrated a skill, don’t just tell them you have that skill. Explain what the task was, what you did, problems you faced and how you succeeded.
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Have an answer lined up if they ask you for your weaknesses. It’s actually quite a common question and aims to see how you deal with weaknesses so that they don’t affect your work.
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Quickly check your social media. Checking your latest posts and updates for anything outrageous doesn’t take long and will save you any embarrassment.
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Review your CV. You’ll look awfully stupid if they ask you about something that’s on your CV and you can’t remember it being there. That’s why it’s also a terrible idea to lie on your CV too.
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Don’t forget about smiling and body language. Moving your hands slightly when you talk, maintaining eye contact and remembering to smile occasionally gives the impression you’re feeling confident – even if you’re not.
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Ask questions (when asked). It’s a good idea to have one or two questions prepared for the end of the interview. Examples include ‘what do you enjoy most about working here?’, ‘how many other people are there in the team?’ and ‘how do you see this position evolving over the next three years or so?’.
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Tips for dealing with rejection
The end result of an interview isn’t always good news, but don’t let one rejection – or even a few – defeat you. Bear the following points in mind, in order to keep up momentum and secure your next career move at the next time of asking.
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Remember it’s not personal. There are a number of reasons why you didn’t get the job, but it’s never a personal attack on you.
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Don’t stop searching. Do check you’re looking for the right jobs for your skills and experience though.
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Learn from the experience. Where possible, try to get feedback so you know what to work on for next time.
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Don’t let your appearance go. You’ll have another interview soon enough, don’t worry.
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Understanding business casual
You’ve worked hard to get an interview, searching through vacancies and selecting the right roles to apply for. So don’t let it all be for nothing by leaving your outfit ‘til the last minute. You only get one shot at impressing the interviewer – make the most of it.