How to Dress for an Interview

The way you choose to dress for an interview has the potential to determine whether or not you get the job. By your appearance, many employers often determine your level of professionalism and how well you will fit into their company. While most employers will consider your qualifications and skills when making the final hiring decision, dressing properly for an interview will make sure that your ability to handle the job will not be overlooked from the beginning.

Interview Options

A suit is usually the first and best option to consider when dressing for an interview. Particularly in offices where employees wear suits on a regular basis or dress in formal business attire, a suit is the most appropriate for an interview. For workplaces that require employees wear uniforms or less formal attire, you may choose to wear a suit or something more casual such as black or khaki pants or a skirt with a button-down shirt and jacket.

Choosing a Suit

Choosing a suit to wear for an interview may not be as easy as it seems. Most department stores sell suits in multiple styles and colors, not all of which are suitable for professional interviews. Whether you are male or female, choose a suit that comes in black or navy blue and does not contain any special designs or patterns. A pinstripe or houndstooth pattern may look nice on the rack, but it has the potential to distract from your interview.

Try on any suit before you buy it to make sure it fits appropriately. If you wear a jacket or pants that are too large, you run the risk of looking sloppy or unprofessional. Suits that are too tight will also distract from your interview. If you cannot find a suit that fits, you may employ a tailor to take a jacket in so that it suits your frame better or hem a pair of pants so they fit more appropriately. Women must pay particular attention to the suit that they choose to make sure that they give off a professional appearance. When choosing a suit with a skirt, the skirt should fall to the woman’s knees or the bottom of her fingertips to avoid coming off as inappropriate for the workplace or too suggestive. She must also avoid choosing a suit jacket that fits too tightly, inappropriately highlighting her figure or coming off as too suggestive.

Accessorizing the Suit

Along with choosing the right suit, you must accessorize appropriately. Whether you are male or female, a basic button-down shirt provides the best option to wear underneath the suit. Men should stick to button-down shirts in a basic white or pastel shade and accessorize with a solid-colored or striped tie. Women may choose to wear a white button-down shirt or choose a brighter color, such as red or blue. Jewelry, for women, should be minimal, focusing on small earrings and a necklace with a simple pendant. For both men and women, dress shoes in black, navy blue or a muted solid color should be worn.