Looks matter. I don’t care how politically incorrect it is to say, but how you appear in all situations does make a difference! Granted, coiffed hair and showing up in a three-piece suit and shiny leather shoes won't be enough to get you the desired results, but it's a start. And in the pivotal context of job interviews, it pays to be overdressed (only slightly, mind) than it does to wear the first thing you find in the wardrobe. Remember that all-too-common "first impressions matter" catchphrase? Well, there's a reason it turned into a catchphrase – and that is its accuracy.
Here's what to do when you're scratching your head for the appropriately perfect (or, should I say, perfectly appropriate?) attire for job interviews.
What is "appropriate," anyway?
Great question. The answer? It depends. What is your employer's corporate culture like? Does anyone there even wear a suit? (I wouldn't want to waltz in looking too professional in a casual, laidback environment either.)
Each company has its unique dress code. Understand that there's a spectrum of formality, and each individual company lies closer to one end than the other. Look at what people in the company you’re interviewing for are wearing. Strapped for references? Do your research and figure out what's expected of employees in your specific industry or location.
Overdressing vs. underdressing
I'll make it very simple for you: When in doubt, dress up a little. (Yes, I shamelessly took that from elsewhere and used it as though I’d come up with it. Steal Like An Artist is a New York Bestseller for a reason.) Anyways. The point is, if you're going to miss the mark – if only by a hairbreadth – do it in style. Invite positive attention by the inhabitants of the environment, so to speak.
Industries that require wearing a suit
More often than not, industries like finance, banking, insurance, law, (and anything in the same vein). will expect you to wear the typical, old-fashioned attire for interviews. That said, there are a couple of guidelines to keep in mind even for something as straightforward as a suit and tie:
What if the dress code is more casual?
Here's where things get a little grayer, and thus the distinction between casual and formal blurrier. There are, in general, two styles you can pick in the less-formal-and-more-casual camp (still, make sure to check with the interviewer if you're not sure):
Business casual. Here's where you have the option to do away with the blazer. However, that's about it, as far as discarding formal items goes. While you may not have to wear a suit, you may also not wear jeans, sneakers, or any kind of items that you might chance seeing in a gym or a sporting club.
Startup casual. This is even less formal than business casual, which means you can go ahead and jump in those jeans you've been itching to wear after all these weeks of trekking the business world in a suit and tie. This is also where you can find it convenient to wear a polo shirt – but minus the jeans; khaki trousers fit the bill here.
That said, jeans do not mean jeans with holes or ragged seams. You're not hitting the clubs – you're interviewing. And in my opinion, you're still better off slightly overdressing – even if it means standing out a bit from the people who are working there.
But what if there's no dress code? Like, at all?
Here’s where you lean toward the formal end of the spectrum. Look like the pro that you are. You may dress business casual, or you may go the whole hog and throw on your suit jacket and a tie. Up to you, really.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
You might want to avoid trying on your outfit the first time when it’s actually time to go to the interview. You never know – a few missing pieces there, or a needed change in color there, can go a long way in making the few hours leading up to the interview an anxiety-fest. That said, you ought to make sure everything is accounted for a few days before the interview. That way, you’ll have more than enough time on your hands in the case that a need for something else – an entirely new outfit altogether, God forbid – crops up.
Keep it simple
While I’m all for appearances and showing up with your best outfits, you also don’t want to push the pendulum too far in one direction. Having your interviewer struggle to focus on you because you look like a harlequin is a no-no. As a general rule of thumb, give bright or clashing colors (as well as prints) a wide berth.
If you follow these principles and use common sense for situations that call for your own discernment, you’ll invite just the right level of attention from your interviewer and be able to confidently put all your professional cards on the table.
Want more tips on how to do interviews? Check out other interview-related posts here!
