“Fashion is a tool… to compete in life outside the home. People like you better, without knowing why, because people always react well to a person they like the looks of.” – Mary Quant
If I were given a dollar every time I heard someone lament the fact that they would be judged based on how they look rather than purely on their credentials, my wealth would rival Scrooge McDuck’s.
But a manager conducting an interview is interested in more than just finding out if you’re qualified to do the work. If that were the case than its likely they could just hire you based on your resume alone. Bringing you in for an interview answers other equally important questions: Are you punctual? Are you clean? How is your attention to detail? Do you work well with others? Are you even likeable?
These are just some examples of dozens of questions interviewers are looking to get answered during your sit-down with them. Of course, they won’t actually be asking many of these out loud but, make no mistake, you’ll still be answering them with your choice of words, body language, and attire. That last one will be the focus of today’s article.
We’ve all heard how important a good first impression is. It will often make or break the relationship with the person(s) you’re meeting. This is especially important for interviews, where a first impression might also be your last. There are few better ways to start off on the right foot than with careful consideration of the clothes you wear. These will often be noticed before you’ve even had a chance to speak and shake hands so today we’ll discuss how to generally dress for the majority of interviews you’ll ever find yourself in.
Business Attire is the Go-To
Dressing up informs the interviewer that you’re taking this opportunity seriously. You’re rendering the proper respect, not just for them and their time, but it shows you respect yourself as well. You want to come across as a professional, whether that’s for a first time job at minimum wage, an apprenticeship for trade skills, or upper management at a large corporation.
A business suit is the go-to for white collar job interviews no matter what specific position you’ve applied for; manager, accountant, call center representative, etc. Even if you’ll be working in a casual space and never required to work in a full suit ever again, you are still expected to know how to appear in an office environment. The ideal color for this is a darker shade of navy or charcoal. As mentioned many times over already in the short life span of this blog, these colors are staples in menswear because they are versatile and professional. Pair the suit with a long sleeve button up shirt in classic white or light blue. For shoes I recommend plain black cap toe oxfords or derbies.
You have a little more flexibility if applying for a blue collar position. A full suit is still wholly appropriate, though not as necessary if you don’t prefer it. I would aim for business casual at a minimum. And by business casual, I don’t mean the modern interpretation of khakis and a polo. I mean nice trousers and an odd jacket, button up shirt, and tie. If you decide to go this route, a navy jacket with grey or khaki trousers will be golden. Zip Recruiter states that nice jeans are acceptable but I can’t help but feel this is awful advice for most any interview unless its a working interview and you were encouraged to wear them. Plain black shoes are still ideal but you could wear dark brown as well.
*Note* Wear a full outfit even for video interviews initiated remotely. The running joke is that candidates always choose to forego pants in these situations but its actually not unheard of for an interviewer to ask you to stand up so they can see your full outfit. Don’t get caught with your pants down! (Literally)
Accessories: Less is More, Don’t Overdo It
If you accessorize, do so in a way that is pragmatic and straightforward. Wearing flashy or overly trendy garb could paint you as cocky, attention seeking, or even downright oblivious. Wear a plain leather or metallic banded watch with a simple casing instead of some gaudy monstrosity that appears to be playing king of the hill on your arm. If you choose to wear a tie clip or cuff links, keep them to plain silver or a gunmetal grey (but these extra pieces can be left out altogether).
One exception to the less is more rule is that I recommend wearing a pocket square. A plain white cotton square in a TV fold will do. It will show that you took an extra step in considering your appearance but without appearing vain for it. More importantly, it may set you apart from the other candidates who chose not to wear one.
Drop the Loud Tie, Go Simple
There are few worse things you can do during a first time meet and greet than wearing a loud tie. You want their focus to be on your face and your words, not the obnoxious rag hanging from your neck. Opt for a tie with a subtle pattern in a dark or neutral color. You can wear stripes but shy away from the bolder kinds.
Also keep in mind that different tie knots give off different vibes. A half-Windsor knot or a four-in-hand knot that is not too asymmetrical will be perfect. Learn about these knots and how to tie them here if you are unfamiliar.
Clean Your Clothes and Iron Your Shirt
This should seem obvious but apparently it was not to multiple folks I have interviewed. Don’t forget it to polish up your shoes too. They don’t have to be spit shined but they should be scuff free.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, a job interview is the not the place to show off your personal style innovation and fashion forwardness (but depending on the job, you can probably show this off later after hire). When done properly, you let the interviewer know you’re professional, pragmatic, and respectful, all before you’ve even introduced yourselves. Clothes have that power.
My last piece of advice would be to do your research on what dress code may be required for the career field you’re applying for. Its possible that there isn’t a formal dress code but it won’t hurt to do your due diligence. On one hand, you might find you’re given a bit of leeway to be more colorful with your style if applying for a job in a creative industry like marketing. On the flip side, it is not uncommon for candidates to be rejected from hyper-competitive positions because they strayed too far from the strict standards by wearing the wrong color shoes or otherwise simply not having the “right look.”