Congratulations. You’ve landed the opportunity to interview at that tech savvy, people friendly company you’ve had your eye on for some time. While it is ok to be a little nervous, don’t go getting cold feet just yet. Instead, put your best foot forward in a way that will make you stand out while blending in with corporate ambiance. Of course, that means a nicely pressed suit, well fitting men’s dress shirt, a simple belt, and non-scuffed shoes. You want the job, and we want to make sure you look your best while in pursuit of it. So, without further ado, here is a “How to dress for an interview” guide to help you do just that.
Suit up
If there was ever a time in your life where listening to a fictional TV character’s advice was appropriate, this is it. We know what you’re thinking. The company you applied to has a very relaxed, business casual vibe. No one wears suits and that’s one of the benefits of working there. You may be right, but you also only get one chance to make a first impression. Why not dress to impress? A nice, well fitting suit can do that for you. Keep it neutral, no loud or distracting colors – this includes your tie – but above all else, be confident in your interview attire.
The dress shirt you choose should be complementary to the suit. A white shirt is a no brainer, but don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit. If you’re going with a navy, slim fit suit, a pale pink shirt can absolutely highlight without distracting. The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is the fit. The way you dress for an interview says a lot about who you are, and what you want to say is that you’re a well put together individual. You want your dress shirt to have a bit of breathing room, but not so much that it bunches or spills out when unbuttoning your suit jacket. A good rule of thumb is any more than a 3 inch give when lightly tugged at the torso is too much. The easiest way to make sure you don’t fall victim to this fashion faux pas is by stocking up on custom made-to-measure men’s dress shirts.
To accessorize or not to accessorize?
That is the question. The answer is this: when choosing interview attire, keep the jewelry tasteful. That means ditch the earrings if your ears are pierced, leave the chain at home, and bracelets are a no-no. At most, you can wear a simple watch to highlight the cut of your suit. No gaudy faced time pieces please. You’re heading to a job interview, not a music video shoot. Unless you are interviewing for a music video shoot. In which case, do the opposite of everything mentioned here.
Shoes, socks and belts
The leather of your shoes should match your belt. Of course, they don’t have to be the exact same shade of brown, for example, but get as close as possible. If you choose to wear a watch, then the buckle of your belt should match said watch. Socks, on the other hand, is a tossup. Back when your dad was interviewing the adage was black is the new black. Nowadays, you can absolutely add a splash of color to complement the rest of your interview attire. This should go without saying (again) but no loud or distracting colors. Keep it simple but break the monotony.
If you’re ever in doubt as to appropriate dress for an interview just remember one thing: confidence is key. And the key most universal when choosing interview attire lies within the cut of a well-fitting suit.
