Written by Dave Cullen
Congratulations, you have sufficiently impressed the recruiter or employer with your CV to warrant them inviting you to a job interview. Impress them in person and you could be one step away from being offered the job. It may be an old cliché to say, “You only get one chance to make a first impression”, but when it comes to interviewing this adage couldn’t be more apropos. What you wear to an interview is therefore extremely important.
Some industries may have different expectations as to what qualifies as an appropriate dress code for candidates. For example, when applying for a job as a factory shop worker, smart business casual may be sufficient. However if you are ever in doubt as what you should wear, a good rule of thumb is always professional business attire. This means avoiding jeans, T-shirts, shorts, tracksuits and other inappropriate clothing. For men, a suit and tie are recommended; women have the option of either a suit or suit skirt.
Dressing for an interview is about exuding an air of confidence and professionalism that lets the interviewer know that you mean business. Below is our quick guide for what to wear to an interview for male and female candidates.
Interview Attire for Men
- Suit with long sleeved shirt, tie and belt
- Ensure your ensemble is coordinated
- Have your suit pressed if needed and iron any creases out of your shirt
- Conservative colors (e.g. black leather shoes, white shirt)
- Sparing application of aftershave, avoid strong aromas, the interviewer could be allergic to your fragrance
- Keep hair length neat and professional
- Facial hair should be trimmed to a neat and tidy look. Clean shaven is recommended
Interview Attire for Women
- Suit or suit skirt with muted conservative colors
- Avoid short skirts
- Keep jewelry to a minimum, this means earrings and rings only, elaborate bracelets and other informal accessories should be avoided.
- Simple and professional-styled hair
- Hosiery should be tan or light
- When it comes to makeup, less is more, the same goes for perfume. Like we said for men’s aftershave, a strong smelling perfume could illicit an allergic reaction from the interviewer
- Ensure nails are neat and manicured
For more career and interview advice, check out some of our other blogs: Top 5 CV mistakes, Top 10 Tips for Interview Success and The Dangers of lying on your CV.
