What to Wear to the Interview

So, you have nailed the application and the preliminary phone interview – congratulations! Now it is time for your first face-to-face meeting. Getting to this stage is an accomplishment in itself, but it’s also when the nerves really start to kick in – how will you answer the questions? How can you show the hiring managers you are the right fit? And… what do you wear?!

Now, we will not tell you what to wear from head to toe – that choice is up to you. But we do know that planning your outfit the day of the interview is a recipe for disaster – so we will lay out some preparation tips for you to consider in the lead-up. 

While your outfit is certainly not the most crucial part of preparing for your interview – having it planned and laid out will help elevate some of the anxiety you may face on the day, leaving you more time to get into the right mindset and prepare. 

So, let's dive in. 

Business attire isn’t always the answer

Google search what to wear to an interview, and you might find responses like, wear red to symbolise power. Which – if you ask us – is not the most beneficial response. 

While a suit and tie or well-pressed pantsuit will always take the spotlight when it comes to interviewing attire – they are not the only choice, and sometimes they can even be the wrong one.

For example, showing up to a sales assistant interview with Cotton On in a pantsuit will have you feeling out of place and uncomfortable. While this might be the right choice for a corporate role, the hiring managers will be searching for people who can professionally express their style at work – after all, if you are successful, your future role will be selling clothes. 

This leads us to our next point…

Dress for the company

Dressing for the company and industry you are applying for is a given – but there are a few ways you can go the extra mile.

Interviewing with a hip tech company or young start-up? While jeans might be A-okay once you have landed the gig, they probably are not the right choice for your first impression. Instead, opt to bring your corporate wear down a notch with a fun statement blazer and fitted pants. 

If you are shooting for a more traditional industry – think banking, insurance, or finance – opt for your formal attire, this means a suit and tie, pantsuit, or skirt and blouse.

Consider what type of company you are interviewing with and see if you can work it into your attire. Maybe you are applying for a marketing role at a ladies shoe brand? Well then, it is time to pick out your favourite pair and make them the statement piece of your outfit – they might even become a casual talking point.

Make sure you are tidy

Take the time to properly iron your pants and shirt the morning of the interview, and then take a few minutes to give yourself a quick look over just before it starts. 

Remember, what you wear is not nearly as important as ensuring your hair is tidy and that there are no toothpaste remnants on your shirt – so make sure you check those teeth, groom those stray beard hairs, and tuck your shirt in before heading in.

Bring a bag

 We laid out a few tips on preparing for an interview here – one of these included bringing a copy of your resume on the day. Now, you do not want to pull this out of your bag all wrinkled – so make sure you have placed it into a slip and popped it in a professional bag big enough.

While it may feel stressful planning your interview outfit – it's important to remember your clothing is not nearly the most important thing about you, and that your skill set, personality, and career history will shine through (just make sure you brush your teeth) in an interview – after all, that is what the hiring committee is really looking for.