Interview Outfit For Males and Females
Deciding what to wear to an interview is often a stressful part of the preparation process. Successful job interviews depend on both how well you answer questions and how you present yourself. That’s why a smart, pulled together appearance can help convince the hiring manager that you’re a great fit for the company. This complete guide of what to wear to a job interview gives you guidelines to have you looking your best, feeling comfortable and ensuring you present as the perfect fit for the hiring organization.
This guide will show you:
- How to dress for an interview to make the right impression.
- What to wear to be business-casual-friendly.
- What colors are appropriate for an interview.
- The dress code for business professional attire that works like magic in job interviews.
- Business casual and business professional interview outfit ideas for both men and women.
Interview dress code for corporate interview
It is crucial to follow a formal dress code while appearing for a corporate interview scheduled at a middle level or senior position in industries like banking and financial services, telecom, etc. Reason being, formal outfits reflect a person’s strong leadership trait and also exhibit seriousness towards the company and the interviewer.
How to dress business professional suit (for women)
Suits are a staple of a woman’s professional closet. Even Wonder Woman has one!
For women, suits are generally made of a blazer and either a pair of trousers or a skirt in a matching fabric. Here are some guidelines for interview attire to follow.
You’ll feel like you’re the brainchild of Carrie Bradshaw and Michelle Obama (come on, who wouldn’t want to be):
- Always choose a neutral color like navy blue, grey or black.
- The fabric should be seasonless like wool.
- The sleeves on the blazer should end right at your wrist. Don’t bother with sleeves that come down to your hands.
- The blazer should sit nicely on your shoulder. It should be right at the edge without hanging past.
- The skirt should come at least to the top of your knees so it’s not too short when you’re walking or sitting down.
- The trousers may need to be tailored depending on your height and the height of the shoes you’re planning to wear with them. The trouser cuff should be at the midway point of your shoe or just past your ankles.
- Even if you plan to wear the blazer open, you should be able to comfortably close it. But careful of too much extra room when the blazer is buttoned!
How to dress business professional suit (for men)
- Long-sleeved and button-down shirts in a light color and simple design look attractive. Colors like white, light blue, light brown, light grey, light pink, mauve, etc., are best to choose. Candidates can also wear denim shirts as they look classy.
- Khaki and cotton pants are ideal to match with light-colored shirts. It is advisable to select cotton pants in dark colors like black, blue, brown, dark grey, etc. You can also choose denim trousers or jeans for business casuals. However, do not wear ill-fitted or ripped jeans.
- Wear matching socks.
- A pair of formal shoes will complete your look. Choose a comfortable pair of shoes. It is always a safe bet to go for colours like black or tan in shoes.
- Put on a traditional tie to complete the formal look. For the tie, it is advisable to select a color and pattern that complements your shirt.
- Carry your resume and documents in a briefcase or smart laptop bag.
- Make sure all tattoos are covered and remove any body piercings.
Business casual Outfits for males
- Wear chinos or trousers, free of lint, holes and stains.
- Wear a button up shirt with a collar.
- Choose leather shoes that are polished and free of scratches or stains.
- Wear matching socks.
- Bring a satchel or briefcase to carry your resume and documents.
- Avoid wearing jeans and shirts without collars.
- Don’t wear open toe shoes.
- Shave and get a haircut or if your hair is long, tie it back.
- Make sure all tattoos are covered and remove any body piercings you may have.
- For IT and creative industries, add a bit of personality to your outfit, contemporary styles will give you a more dynamic and energetic appearance and your employer is likely to view you as a more forward-thinking person that fits in with the team.
Business Casual Outfits for Women
- Consider wearing a knee length skirt or a pair of slacks in a block colour.
- When wearing tights, make sure there a no ladders or holes.
- Pair the bottoms with a conservative, button up shirt.
- Be sure that the shirt you choose is not low cut.
- A shift dress is another good choice and when paired with a smart jacket.
- Make sure all skirts and dresses are knee length or longer.
- Covered toe shoes are a good choice, if you’re wearing heels stick to 2-6cm.
- When dressing business casual, you can add some personal styling with accessories.
- Avoid large bags and go with a handbag that matches your outfit.
- Your hair should be neatly styled or tied back.
- Make sure all tattoos and body piercings are covered.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW
The above guidelines will help you choose an outfit that is appropriate for any specific interview situation. A good rule of thumb – always dress a little better than the current employees are dressing. This will show that you are interested in the position and that you take pride in the way that you carry yourself. If you are purchasing interview clothes you might want to purchase more than one set. Stick with the same guidelines but change your outfits up with a different shirt, skirt, or pair of pants. You may need to interview with the same company more than once and you don’t want to have to wear the same outfit twice. No matter what you choose be sure that you are comfortable in what you are wearing. Being uncomfortable in your clothes could cause you to look nervous and awkward. Remember first impressions are lasting impressions.