How to Dress for a Job Interview (Women)
During a job interview, how you look often makes the first impression. Dressing for success is the best way to show a possible future employer that you are both confident and qualified. Choosing what to wear to your job interview is an important part of getting ready for it. You want to show your potential employer that you are a professional, but you also want to impress them. In this article, we talk about what women should and shouldn’t wear to an interview. How to Dress for a Job Interview (Women)
What to wear to a job interview
Do some research on how your future coworkers dress before you pick out an outfit for your interview. This will help you dress to fit in. Look at the company’s website to find out more about how to dress for your possible new job. If you’re not sure what to wear to an interview, ask the Human Resources Manager about the company’s dress code.
When planning what to wear to an interview, keep these things in mind:
Dress like everyone else.
If the company has a dress code for formal events, wear one of your most conservative outfits. Think about wearing a suit with pants or a skirt, and choose a darker colour like black or navy. Combine it with a dressy blouse and few extras. You could also wear a dress that makes a statement in a jewel tone or a dark colour like black or grey. If you choose a dress that makes a statement, make sure it has sleeves or add a blazer for more coverage.
Dress like a pro.
Plan to dress professionally but less formally for a business casual office. Try a button-down shirt, a blouse, or a sweater with pressed pants or a skirt. You can add a cardigan or blazer for extra warmth. If you like wearing one piece, try a simple knee-length dress with stockings. Try not to wear jeans or T-shirts because they look too casual.
Opt for neutral colours
Whether you’re going somewhere formal or business casual, always choose neutral colours. Black, grey, navy blue, white, and khaki are professional-looking colours that don’t draw attention away. Try using bold colours in small amounts to make something look good or show how creative you are. Try putting together a neutral outfit with a shirt with a pattern, a bold pair of shoes, or a brightly coloured accessory, for example.
Choose shoes that go with your outfit.
Dress code-compliant shoes should always be the last thing you wear to an interview. Choose low heels or leather flats for a formal or business casual setting. Choose stylish flats or trendy sneakers for a casual work setting. No matter the dress code, make sure your shoes are clean and in good shape.
Choose a handbag or briefcase that looks good.
Carefully choose a purse that looks professional and is sleek. Choose a darker-colored handbag, like black or brown, and if it’s made of leather, make sure it matches your shoes or other leather accessories. If you want to bring copies of your resume, portfolio, or other documents to the interview, make sure they fit nicely inside. If you have important papers, you might want to bring a briefcase instead of a handbag.
What you shouldn’t wear to an interview
Regardless of the industry you work in, try to steer clear of the following while selecting your interview attire:
Garments that don’t fit
Don’t wear clothes that are either too tight or too loose. Look at your outfit in the mirror before your interview to see if the hemline is too short or the V-neck is too low. To make sure your clothes look professional, you might want to add more layers or get them tailored.
Heavy perfume or make-up
Don’t use too much makeup or perfume. Try to keep smells to a minimum, since they can easily overwhelm interviewers or make them sick. In the same way, choose neutral makeup that looks good on you. During your interview, you should try to be yourself and act like a professional. Try not to wear bright, bold lip and eye colours or foundation that is thick and layered.
There are too many extras.
When you dress for your interview, don’t wear a lot of extra stuff. Instead of adding a lot of jewellery and other accessories, try to find one piece that stands out and can be the main focus. Then make sure any other accessories are simple and understated.
Clothing that is dirty and creased
If your clothes are wrinkled, torn, or stained, you might look unprofessional and sloppy. Before you go to your interview, take a close look at what you’re wearing so you don’t give off the wrong impression. Before you meet with the hiring team, fix any loose threads, wrinkles, or stains or change your clothes.
Why you should dress right for an interview
How you dress for an interview is one of the many things that show how good of a candidate you are. When you dress right, you give the hiring team a chance to be impressed and see that you know how to look professional. It shows that you’ve done research on the company and know what its standards are. It also lets you show that you’ll fit in with your future coworkers.
