How to Dress for a Job Interview
This is the second part of the College Fashion How To Dress Professionally series. Yesterday, I talked about business dress code basics. Today I want to go over what to wear to an interview for a job or internship, a process that most college girls are going through now or will be soon!
An old cliche applies to the interview process: you need to dress for success! It sounds stupid, but it’s very true: what you wear to an interview is just as important as what’s on your resume.
Here’s how a first impression works, according to a study from former UCLA professor Albert Mehrabian:
First impressions are formed in 7 seconds. 38% of a first impression is based on inflection and tone of voice (how you say things), 7% is based on what you actually say, and a whopping 55% of a first impression comes from NONVERBAL cues! In short, more than half of every first impression is based on how you look!
Your appearance makes or breaks you in the hiring manger’s mind. If they like what they see, you have a way better chance of getting the job. Even if you say all the right things, if your appearance offends the person doing the hiring, chances are you won’t be getting the job.
So how do you know what outfit will make a good impression and what ensemble will have the recruiter firing mind-bullets at you for a half hour while she pretends to listen to what you’re saying?
Be Prepared
The first step in figuring out what to wear to your interview is to do some research!
Find out what industry the firm is part of, talk to other people who have worked there if possible, even creep outside their office checking out what current employees are wearing if you want!
If you’re interviewing in the fashion industry, get to know the style of the company you’ll be working for. If it’s a designer, know their line and what it represents. If it’s a PR agency, know their clients and their styles, etc. This will help you with your own wardrobe choices.
Also, this sounds obvious but can sometimes get overlooked: take note if they specify a certain dress code on their website, in an email to you or in the job listing! (For some help in decoding what "business casual" and other terms mean, check out my article on business dress code basics.)
If they don’t specify what dress code you’re supposed to wear, assume that they want professional business dress, and go as conservative as you can with your wardrobe. It’s always better to be over dressed than under dressed!
Sample Outfits
A lot of what you should wear to an interview depends on what industry you’re trying to get a job in! Here are some ideas for what to wear to interviews in different industries:
Conservative Industries – Accounting, Finance, Law, Consulting, etc. :
Product Information: Blazer by Topshop (£45), Pencil Skirt by Wet Seal ($16.50), White Shirt by Banana Republic ($68), Bag by LimeNRoses ($35.20), Pearl Necklace by Banana Republic ($98), Nude Pantyhose by Hanes ($9), Black Leather Pumps by rsvp
($60)
Go for a simple and chic look if you’re interviewing in a conservative industry like accounting, finance, law or consulting, or if you just aren’t sure about the dress code for your interview. You can’t go wrong with a basic black skirt-suit (a skirt and blazer made of the same material), white collared shirt, simple black pumps, nude pantyhose, a black bag, and pearls.
Creative Industries – Advertising, Graphic Design, Music, etc. :
Product Information: Cubic Zirconium Necklace by Banana Republic ($28), Ankle Boots by Report ($102.60), Button Down Shirt by Forever 21 ($22.80), Wide Leg Trousers by Topshop (£28), Cardigan Sweater by H&M ($12), Handbag by BE & D courtesy of Bag Borrow or Steal
When you’re interviewing for a job in a creative field, you can usually dress a little more creatively for the interview. Unless you’re sure that the office will be very casual, dress fairly formally, adding personal touches like a bright handbag to your outfit. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality, but keep your look chic and classy at all times.
The outfit above features a button-down cardigan worn over a plain white blouse and wide-leg pants. You could also wear a coordinating jacket instead of the cardigan for a more formal look. Also, the handbag is designer, but to make a great impression without actually buying the expensive bag, check out Bag Borrow or Steal and rent one instead!
Fashion Industry
Product Information: Bag by Lamarthe courtesy of Bag Borrow or Steal, Chiffon Blouse by Topshop (£38), Pencil Skirt by Wet Seal ($25.50), Bracelet by Betsey Johnson ($40), Mary Jane Pumps by Marc Jacobs
When you’re interviewing for a job in the fashion industry, or a fashion internship, you need to take your wardrobe even more seriously than someone interviewing to work in the regular old corporate world! If you’re going to be working with clothes, you need to show the people hiring you that you know how to dress well!
If your interview is with a fashion house, know their style aesthetic and attempt to show them that you fit with their brand. Don’t wear their label head to toe, but take note of what the designer’s style is and attempt to show them that you understand it.
If you’re interviewing with a fashion magazine, you should go trendier than normal to show that you understand current fashion. Don’t be over-the-top though: you still need to look professional. Even though it might be a dream job, it’s still a job! Remember that when you’re getting dressed for it.
Hair & Makeup
When it comes to doing your hair and makeup for a job interview, just remember: less is more. You should try to look as polished as possible while still keeping your makeup simple and understated.
Do Wear:
- Your hair in a clean and simple style
- Concealer if you need it
- A small amount of translucent powder to get rid of shine
- Mascara
- Neutral-toned lip gloss or lipstick
- A small amount of eyeliner & neutral eyeshadow (optional)
Don’t Wear:
- Your dirty hair teased out to here
- Tons of caked-on foundation
- Smokey eye makeup
- Brightly colored eyeshadow
- Glittery or super bright lip gloss
Summary
At the end of the day, dressing for an interview is about dressing for the job you want, and showing your professionalism via your clothing choices. If you follow the tips above, I know your next interview will be that much more successful. If you have any questions, click the comment link and ask away!
Also, check back tomorrow for the next part of the "How To Dress Professionally" series, where we’ll be talking about what to wear to work once you get the job!
Posted on on April 22, 2008 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Business, Career, Fashion Industry, How To, Interviews, Job, Makeup, Work
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nermine
great picture…by the way i will make interview tomorrow …thank you
miss lacey
I don’t care how correctly you dress, if you slouch you’ll get points taken off. Please, please, please watch the slouching. Body language is everything. D:
Carrie
I’m no longer in college, but still read your site!! I wanted to let anyone know that’s interviewing for a tech industry job (web design, programming, etc) that the “creative industries” outfit would be a good choice. I would say no jacket required but do wear a collared shirt. Hope that helps!
Rachelle
Great tips! You are so spot on with everything…except the nude hose! I feel like you could get away with sheer black hose or opaque black tights, nude just feels so grandmotherly to me.
Zephyr
Miss Lacey – So true! I should do an article series on the importance of good posture no matter what your fashion sense! hehe :)
Carrie – Thanks for the input, that’s really good to know!
Rachelle – Yeah, you probably could wear black. Idk, my career center always says nude, but I’m sure black would be fine too! I think they’re just conservative around here.
Alli
Very misleading with the information about 55% of a first impression is about what you look like. That’s not what “nonverbal cues” means. What you’re wearing might be important but nonverbal cues refers to body language, gait, professionalism, confidence. Things like a firm handshake are probably more influential than what you’re wearing.
Zephyr
Alli – I don’t think it’s misleading at all. With the exception of a firm handshake, body language is part of your looks, since a blind person would not be able to pick up on it. Also, gait, professionalism and confidence are still part of looks, since if confidence was portrayed through what you say, it’d be a verbal cue. What you wear and how you do your hair and makeup is PART of your appearance. Obviously I’m not suggesting that all you need to do is be well dressed and forget all the other aspects like body language. BUT, this article is about what you should wear, so I didn’t go into that other stuff.
Jessica
I have a question. When you go to interviews is it okay to take an oversize purse like the blue one you have in one of your clothing samples? Because i truly love how it looks but many people say to not take big purses, so basically I never taken big purses i only took one little purse to an interview once. But what do you think?
Lauren Allen
I am reading How To Dress For A Job Interview
Written by Zephyr on April 22, 2008. The model pictured is wearing open toe shoes. I was always told that open toe shoes are not appropriate for the job interview. Is this still true? What about sling backs and slides? When do shoes begin to make too much of a fashion statement for the interview?
Thanking you in advance,
Lauren Allen
Zephyr
Jessica – I’ve never heard that you shouldn’t bring a big purse! If you’re really worried about it, you could bring a smaller one, but I really think it would be fine with most people interviewing you.
Lauren – It depends on the season when you’re interviewing and how conservative the workplace is. In general, open-toed shoes are usually fine for more creative industries and when it’s warm out. Similarly, there’s nothing wrong with slingbacks or slides.. it’s really a matter of personal preference. If you’re interviewing in a really conservative industry like accounting or finance, you might want to stick with basic pumps if you’re worried about it.
Tara
I’m applying for a job at hooters (no joke…)
But what would be appropriate for an interview there?
I was thinking a v neck top so theres a bit of cleavage but i still look professional? Any suggestions??
Jessica
Thank you so much for posting this! You have no idea how much I’ve been freaking out about interview outfits. It was truly a crisis!
Elana
You know I love that you posted this! I am a recent college grad and right now I’m buying my whole interview outfit on eBay because I want something that has style and is unique but still professional. Everything you’re saying in this post is so helpful. I think young people can let a little of their personality show and not always wear a head-to-toe black pantsuit unless the company is VERY conservative. I wish more blogs and websites were giving these suggestions.
http://ebayfashionaddict.wordpress.com
Lauren Allen
Thank you for the reply Zephyr! I will keep this in mind.
Lauren
Citlalic
Hello,
This has been helpful, but what if I am having an interview for research in lab setting. What should I wear?
I will appreciate your help
Thanks
Amanda
I just want to say that this article has been extremely helpful. I have worked for the last ten years in the retail industry (grocery store) where the uniform is provided for you. I’m making a career change and find myself without the SLIGHTEST clue how to dress. I can’t tell you what a relief it was for me to have found this site and your articles about professional dress and business casual wear. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Jasmine
This article is really helpful! I have an interview coming up next week and I had no idea what to wear unti now :)
jen
I’m a college student and i have a job interview [real estate], umm can I not bring a bag/purse? I think you need to reach a certain level before you can bring a bag..