Dress for Success: A Guide to Dressing for Interviews

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Dress for Success: A Guide to Dressing for Interviews
by Jessie

Employers are looking for dynamic, eager, and intelligent employees. When you are going to an interview, you might think the most important thing to do is make sure you don’t stutter. But when it comes down to it, the most important thing about you may be how you look! A prospective employer will value willingness to learn, so knowing more than everyone else might not be the most important thing. Other times, an employer will understand nervousness and will not judge you based on a few stutters or “uhms.” Sometimes getting a job over another candidate might come down to one thing. You match another prospective employee at every level; your qualifications are equal, you both interviewed very well, and your personalities would both suit the work environment. Only one thing was different—your competition was better dressed. Subconsciously, or consciously, it is likely that the employer will choose the best dressed person, which may not have been you.

Here’s a general guide to looking your best for an interview, broken down into two sections: When a prospective employer has NOT told you it is acceptable to “dress down” for your interview AND When a prospective employer HAS told you is it acceptable to “dress down” for your interview.

When a prospective employer has NOT told you it is acceptable to “dress down” for your interview:

Choose a conservative suit, even if you are not interviewing at a conservative company. Being overdressed is far better than being underdressed. Solid, neutral colors are most popular, but don’t be afraid to be a bit “out there” and choose a fun but solid colored blouse or shirt, if appropriate. For some people this will not be an option, and you should always judge based on your knowledge of the company or organization. If you aren’t sure that fun or funky is the way to go, it’s best to stay safe. Do not go to your interview with wrinkled clothes, or clothes covered in animal hair.

Coordinate your entire outfit. When you don’t match you look sloppy, and looking sloppy gives the impression that you are a sloppy person. An employer cannot afford to hire a sloppy or otherwise uncoordinated person, and someone who appears to be more put together will likely be chosen over you. For women, excessively high heels aren’t a good pick, and for those wearing a skirt, tan or nude stockings are your best option. For men, dark socks and dark, professional shoes are best. If you don’t have appropriate shoes, go out and purchase a pair. This is important. You might wonder, “who is looking at my feet?”, but an obviously poor choice in shoes will stand out, and if you get the position, you may need them anyway. If you have papers or other things to bring to your interview, carry a professional portfolio or briefcase with you.

Limit your jewelry and accessories, including make-up, perfume and cologne. For women this means that a single necklace, plain earrings and a ring is probably enough, along with clean and fresh make-up. Flashy jewelry is too much. For men, a conservative, solid colored tie with a nice, but not extravagant, tie clip, as well as a ring if worn, are acceptable. Too much perfume and cologne can distract a person, so be very careful when applying it. A good method is to spray it into the air, then to walk through the smell, rather than applying it directly to your body. For both men and women, neatly manicured nails are important. Simple things like trimmed nails will be noticed during a handshake.

Hair is also important. While it’s not necessary to get a haircut for an interview, if you haven’t had one in a long time, now might be as good a time as any. Your hair should be styled neatly and professionally. For women this likely means down. For men this means brushed. Even if you don’t use hairspray, you might want to try it just this once.

When a prospective employer HAS told you is it acceptable to “dress down” for your interview:

Looking as if you take pride in your appearance is still important, even if your prospective employer has told you it is OK to “dress down” for your interview. If this is the case, many of the guidelines above should still be met. Coordination, limiting jewelry and accessories, and hair are all still very important. “Dressing down” does not mean dressing sloppily. It may be okay, however, to substitute khaki pants and a long sleeve, collared shirt or nice blouse (still in solid colors) for a suit.

If you are interviewing at a clothing store, dressing in clothes from their store will probably be acceptable, as that is what you will most likely be asked to wear if you are hired. So long as the outfit you choose is on the more professional-end of what they offer, you should be fine. Ripped jeans and t-shirts are still a no-no.



The way you look matters to other people, and it might cost you a job (sooner than that stutter!) if you aren’t careful to dress well. The amount of effort, or lack thereof, which we put into our attire, says a lot about us—looking our best is always important, no matter where we are interviewing. The way we dress tells prospective employers many things about us, including what we think of ourselves (do we value and respect ourselves enough to look our best?), what we think of the company or organization we are interviewing at (do we value and respect their values and expectations?), and what kind of employees we will be (are we prepared to make an effort at our job?). So take pride in your appearance and good luck at your interview!