All job interviews are important, but there will always be one job that you want more than any other. Perhaps it is a dream job with an employer such as Fisher Investments in the UK, who are ranked in the top 25 best places to work according to their LinkedIn page; or maybe you just can’t afford to screw things up because you are down to your last tin of baked beans. Either way, there is a right way and a wrong way to dress for an important job interview.
Don’t Be a Fashionista
Unless you are in the hot seat for a job at Vogue, fashion is for the High Street, not a job interview. Never let your love of fashion dictate what you wear for a job interview. It is good to stand out on the day, but not for all the wrong reasons, so avoid anything too fashion-friendly and opt for classic style instead.
Interview wardrobes need to be classy and timeless. When attending a formal interview, you will be expected to dress smartly. This is perhaps not the case if Google has called you in to interview for a post, but for the most part, an interview in a traditional office-based sector requires a traditional type of attire.
Suited and Booted
A suit is always the best choice for an interview. You really can’t go wrong with a suit, so wear a classic trouser or skirt suit in a muted colour such as grey, navy blue, or black. Trouser suits are fine, but if you prefer to wear a skirt, make sure the skirt is a modest length.
Unless your suit is comprised of a tailored dress and jacket, you will need a blouse or shirt. Plain tops work best with a suit, but if you want to be a little adventurous, choose a white blouse with a subtle pattern or go for a coloured blouse, as long as it isn’t too bright.
Interview Footwear
Footwear is important. There is little point in making an effort to look smart in your new suit if your footwear lets you down. As a general rule of thumb, wear sensible heels with a skirt, preferably at a height you can walk comfortably in. Boots are OK if you are wearing trousers, but stay away from high-fashion boots.
Accessorise
It is acceptable to accessorise an interview outfit with a colourful neck scarf or some nice jewellery, but don’t turn up dripping with bangles or ostentatious earrings in the style of Pat Butcher. It’s never a good look.
What Not to Wear
The point of an interview is to be memorable for your skills and winning personality, not your physical attributes, so avoid wearing anything too low-cut or revealing. Anything too casual is also best avoided, so don’t show up wearing skinny jeans and a t-shirt.
If you don’t look your best, you won’t feel confident at the interview. Look smart and you will stand a better chance of winning over the interviewer – subject to what comes out of your mouth of course!
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