When preparing for a job interview, most people focus on interview strategies or common interview questions and answers. But your appearance is also important in making a positive first impression on your recruiter.
Do Employers Care What You Wear to an Interview?
Yes! They may not admit it, but first impressions are important in shaping a person's perception of you. These first impressions are largely influenced by your appearance. In fact, modern psychology suggests that our first impression when meeting someone often determines our long-term attitude
Some research has suggested that humans need as little as one tenth of a second to form an opinion about a person based solely on a person’s face*.
That's why positive body language and facial expressions are vital when meeting a recruiter for the first time. And it's why your attire matters as well. But don't worry: With this handy how-to guide to professional interview attire, you'll be able to make a good impression even if you're not a fashion aficionado.
The 5 Rules for Dressing for an Interview
Here are five general rules to consider when choosing what to wear for a job interview:
- Dress one level above what you would wear when working at the company.
- There's no one-size-fits-all approach: Choose clothes that fit the company culture.
- Less is more: Use colors and patterns sparingly.
- Wear well-fitting and clean job interview clothes with no creases.
- Make sure you feel comfortable in your clothes.
If you're looking for specific examples of what to wear for a job interview instead, feel free to look at our examples below.
Keep in mind these rules on proper attire also apply for job interviews conducted via webcam. But also consider the quality of your microphone as well as the background and lighting.
Modern software often allows you to automatically blur the background of your video, so be sure to take advantage of that option. Avoid using filters that change the background to a stock photo. If you don't have the option of blurring the background, use a mono-colored and minimalist backdrop in your home. You don't need to sit in front of a plain wall, but you should ensure that the recruiter will not be distracted by (inappropriate) items on your shelves.
Ensure your lighting doesn't create harsh shadows on your face that may give you a menacing look. Either buy a ring light or use two different household lamps for better illumination: First, turn on your ceiling light and position yourself in such a way that it's above and slightly in front of you, illuminating your face. Then, take a desk lamp and adjust its angle to remove any hard shadows cast on your face by the ceiling light, specifically below your eyebrows and below your nose.
1. Dress One Level Above Normal Workday Attire
First and foremost, a job interview serves the purpose for the recruiter to form a personal impression of you. They want to find out if you're going to fit in well with the rest of the company. So, make sure they get an impression of how you would dress when working there, instead of overdressing excessively.
But also keep in mind a job interview is a special occasion. Wearing a tucked-in shirt or blouse may be enough for the nine-to-five at the company. Instead, imagine you're having an important meeting with a client of the company and dress accordingly.
2. Dress According to Company Culture, Industry Standards and the Role You're Applying For
Keep in mind that not all companies have the same dress code. That depends on company culture, size or even the industry in which they operate. Law firms and financial institutions typically have a very different idea of what to wear for a job interview, compared to a family-owned small business or creative design start-up.
Look up how the company presents itself online to discern what they expect their employees to wear. Also make sure to look up some of their employees on professional social media sites like LinkedIn to see how they dress as their company’s representatives.
Most importantly: Find out if the company has an official dress code! If any one of the 5 rules presented here contradicts the official company dress code, follow their dress code instead.
If all else fails, you can always call the company to ask whether they have an official dress code. However, make sure you've exhausted all other avenues of finding out how to dress for the job interview. While most companies will happily provide this information, some companies in more conservative fields may expect you to be aware of what they consider proper industry-standard attire.
3. Avoid Wearing Job Interview Clothes That Distract from You
Feel free to incorporate some color into your job interview outfits to help you stand out. If 100 other job applicants wore a black suit and tie or a white blouse and a black skirt to their job interviews, you may be able to leave a more lasting impression: For instance, with a striking blue tie, a light red handkerchief in your chest pocket or an elegant salmon-colored scarf over your blouse.
Make sure not to overdo it with the colors and patterns, however. When dressing in formal business wear or even "business casual", colors and patterns should enhance a conservative look rather than overwhelm it.
Even if the company has a relaxed dress-code, it's usually safer to keep the fun aloha shirts for when you’re employed. A recruiter at a hip young start-up might be fine with you wearing a t-shirt under a dress jacket, combined with jeans and comfortable sneakers to your job interview, because they dress like that themselves. But try to stick to a plain solid-colored shirt. Otherwise, the visual noise may distract your recruiter.
How to Handle Tattoos and Other Body Modifications
Many companies have strict dress codes when it comes to body modifications. In very traditional industries and in customer-facing positions, tattoos, visible body piercings and similar are usually viewed unfavorably. Dyeing your hair in unusual colors may also be seen as improper, though only in very traditional industries like the banking sector. You should consider this before applying, as you might otherwise put a lot of effort into your job application, only for your recruiter to dismiss it once you're meeting face-to-face at the interview.
When applying for a customer-facing role with a company, consider whether they expect their employees to wear a standard uniform and whether your body modifications will be visible while wearing it. You can usually call their offices to ask about their policies.
If you're worried that you'll be disadvantaged because you asked about their body modification policies, keep in mind: You can always ask a friend to call and have them pretend to be interested in the position. Or call them yourself, using a different name—in that case, make sure to hide your caller ID or use a different phone so they can't see your phone number.
If the company tells you they don't mind body modifications unless they are visible during customer interactions, you may want to remove any visible piercings before the interview and wear long-sleeves to cover your tattoos. This demonstrates your willingness to adapt to their dress code.
4. Well-Fitting, Clean Clothes Are a Must
While there is some flexibility in what you can wear to your job interview, you should never dress sloppily. This includes:- No ill-fitting clothes
- No stains, pet hair etc.
- No wrinkles or creases
- No rips or tears
Cleanliness is important to people, both in their private lives and on the job. Hence, they expect you to wear clean clothing as much as they expect you to have brushed your teeth before the interview. This expectation holds true even when applying to a small creative company that doesn't otherwise have an official dress code.
5. You Should Feel Comfortable in Your Clothes
While your clothes should be freshly washed and pressed, it's usually not a good idea to wear a brand-new suit or dress. That's because you might not feel entirely comfortable wearing these new clothes yet. It's never ideal to discover you can't move your arms freely during a job interview. Or perhaps your new wool skirt itches at the wrong time.
Make sure you have professional interview attire that you've worn before and that feels comfortable. Uncomfortable clothing can lead you to appear irritated with your recruiter.
A Question of Confidence
Wearing nice, comfortable clothing also has an important psychological effect on you. If you know you look good and you feel good, you'll likely approach the job interview with much greater confidence. If you're prone to feel anxious before important face-to-face meetings, making sure you look your best can really give you the ego boost that'll help you overcome this mental hurdle.
Proper Formal Business Attire for Banking, Law and Other High-Level Jobs
Businesses such as banks, law firms and large corporations in almost any sector are known to prefer conservative job interview dress codes. While many of them now allow women to wear slacks instead of skirts, everything else is usually rooted in traditional business attire. Their traditional dress codes are often rather strict. But ironically, that also makes them fairly easy to follow:
- Properly fitted suits
- Ties for men
- Knee-length (or longer) skirts
- A tailored dress and jacket
- Low-heel shoes for women
- Traditional dress shoes for men
Stick to muted colors like black or navy blue and refrain from overdoing it with accessories. Large pieces of jewelry are generally frowned upon, though accessorizing with some cufflinks and a handkerchief in your jacket pocket or some medium-sized classic earrings and a broche are perfectly acceptable.
Also keep in mind the position you're applying for. If you're applying for a job in the mail room of a large law firm, you don't need to look like you're trying to make partner. In such cases, you should keep accessories to a minimum and women may choose to wear a sweater instead of a blouse and blazer or jacket.
In formal business environments, showing too much skin is always considered taboo, even in the heat of the summer. Don't wear spaghetti strap tops, tank tops, muscle shirts or shorts. And stick to closed-toe shoes. As a general rule of thumb, your shoulders, torso, legs and feet should be covered, though it’s usually acceptable for women to wear knee-length skirts and blouses that don't reveal too much cleavage.
More relaxed business environments may allow their employees to wear shorts or spaghetti strap tops on hot days. But as a job seeker, you're expected to dress like you would for an important meeting with a client. If it's particularly warm, you may be permitted to take off your jacket during the interview if the recruiter does so as well.
What to Wear for a Job Interview in the Tech Sector?
Steve Jobs isn't the first person to show the world that traditional attire is unnecessary in the tech sector. However, this can vary by role. When planning how to dress for a job interview in the tech sector, you should distinguish between business positions and technical positions such as engineers, product designers, programmers etc.
For business positions, we suggest following the same dress code as the banking and law sectors, except you have a bit more leeway. For example, you may choose a brown or gray suit instead of the standard black or navy blue one. You can also expect that the everyday dress code may not require you to wear traditional attire such as skirts or ties.
For technical positions, you can usually get away with the following:
- A solid-colored turtleneck (optionally with a jacket or blazer)
- A solid-colored t-shirt with a jacket or blazer
- Checkered shirts and flannel shirts (optionally with a tie)
- Clean denim pants, dress pants or a knee-length skirt
- A knee-length dress
- Dress shoes or comfortable shoes
Remember, though, that a relaxed dress code doesn't excuse wearing old sneakers or a stained shirt. Even if you choose a business casual style, your clothes should be clean and free from wear and tear.
What to Wear When Interviewing for a Creative Job in Marketing, Design Etc.
When interviewing for a position in a large marketing agency, you may still be required to wear traditional business wear (suit and tie) or business casual (a shirt or blouse tucked into slacks or a skirt). However, if you're applying for a creative position creating slogans or visual designs, the dress code is typically more relaxed:
- A solid-colored shirt, t-shirt, polo shirt blouse or sweater
- Optionally a casual jacket or blazer over a t-shirt
- Clean jeans, slacks or a knee-length skirt
- Comfortable shoes or even clean sneakers
In general, companies involved in creative work offer much more leeway when it comes to what to wear to a job interview. Nonetheless, ensure your clothes aren't old and torn or ill-fitting. And make sure you look up the company and its employees beforehand to see how they dress. You may just find the one creative company that requires their employees to wear ties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wear Religious Attire to a Job Interview?
Yes. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids employers with more than 14 employees from discriminating against you on the grounds of religion or a lack thereof. This includes the right to wear religious clothing and to practice grooming traditions associated with your religion.
However, be mindful that some recruiters exhibit bias despite these protections.
Should I Wear Make-up to a Job Interview?
Wearing make-up to a job interview is common, but you should make sure it's suitable for the workplace. Some understated concealer, mascara and a bit of blush are acceptable, but avoid bold looks like dramatic smokey eyes in a professional environment.
As previously mentioned, try to look up pictures of company employees on their website and professional social media to see what they consider appropriate.
How Should I Wear My Hair to a Job Interview?
Being well-groomed is important in a job interview. Make sure you're either clean-shaven or your facial hair is well-trimmed and cared for. If you have long hair, you can wear it open or styled in a bun for a very professional look in traditional working environments. Ponytails are acceptable as well.
As a general rule, if your hair is properly washed and groomed, you can opt for any practical hair style you'd also wear while working. Avoid intricate "prom night" hairstyles, as they are unlikely to impress your recruiter.
Should I Wear Perfume or Aftershave to the Job Interview?
Yes, but keep it subtle. A strong perfume or aftershave can be almost as irritating as strong body odour. Test how much perfume or aftershave you need to apply for it to be noticeable, without being distracting. Note that many perfume manufacturers also offer their perfumes in eau de toilette or eau de cologne variants, which are less concentrated than eau de parfum.
Choose What to Wear for a Job Interview According to What Fits the Job
While there are some general rules for proper grooming, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to professional interview attire. You should always choose your clothing according to the position you're pursuing and the industry standard of the company where you're applying.
Make sure you check the dress code beforehand and find an outfit that meets these criteria while also remaining comfortable to wear. This way, you'll quickly learn what to wear for a job interview in any industry to create a strong first impression on your recruiter. Plus, you'll receive the confidence boost needed to excel at the interview.
* Willis, Janine et al (2006) 'First impressions: making up your mind after a 100-ms exposure to a face', Sage Journals, 17(7)