Nowhere is changing more pervasive than in the world of work. How you present yourself in a job interview is a moving target. It’s pretty safe to say what you’d wear to an interview with a bank may not be the same attire you’d select when interviewing at the foosball table at a new startup where everyone’s under 30.
That said, regardless of where you’re interviewing or working, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Opinions are being made of you within the first few seconds of the interview before you’ve even uttered a word.
If you’ve been invited to interview in person as a result of a successful phone interview, you may have taken advantage of the opportunity to ask about the company culture, the dress code, how formal or informal the atmosphere is, etc.
Or you may have been so focused on answering the questions and remembering exactly what you said in your cover letter over the pounding of your heart that you forgot to ask or feel the phone call didn’t lend itself to asking. When in doubt, business professional attire is always a safe choice, but here are some other guidelines to follow if you’re unsure.
stick with the classics
Fashions, fads and trends come and go but style remains. Find something that works for you and that you feel comfortable and confident in; make it your template for what to wear when you interview.
You can style it up or make it more casual but it remains essentially consistent.
Besides empowering you, it takes the worry out of one important element of interview preparation so you can focus on other important things.
neutrals are your friend
A classic suit in a neutral colour such as black, grey or navy never goes out of style. Of course, if you’re still sporting large shoulder pads or a wide lapel, it’s probably time for a new suit.
- Avoid loud or flashy patterns or checks.
Buy the best suit you can afford in the most neutral and classic fabric. The better the material, the longer it’ll hold up.
Avoid linen, no matter how much you love it and how warm the weather is. Opt for a light wool in summer; linen wrinkles like crazy – it’s part of its charm in the tropics but probably not the right choice for a job interview.
accent your neutrals
If you’re feeling a little forgettable in your neutrals, it’s safe to add a little splash of colour and showcase your personality with a light pattern on your shirt, tie or scarf. Speaking of ties, keep them somewhat consistent with your shirt.
- Avoid crazy motifs that feature Darth Vader or your favourite cartoon characters.
You can break out your funky wardrobe once you’ve got the job.
For men, ideally, you’d match your socks to your tie; however, in a Justin Trudeau world, pretty much anything goes. Though, let’s face it, it’s pretty unlikely the pattern on your socks will make or break a job interview.
avoid being too informal
No one ever got kicked out of an interview for being too formal (don’t quote me, I’m assuming.)
- Even if you know for sure the dress code allows jeans, it’s usually best to avoid them in a job interview.
- Same goes for running shoes, t-shirts, yoga pants – anything that’s a little too casual.
Even though it may be normal attire for the office, remember that you’re putting your best foot forward and showing that you take this workplace and opportunity seriously.
Unless you’re expressly told by your interviewer to wear jeans for the interview, stick to a business professional look.
