You have taken the time to craft your CV and apply for the job and now you have reached the next stage – the interview. But what should you wear to an interview?
After all, while it’s important to research the company and think about common interview questions, what’s also critical is your choice of clothing.
It would be nice to think that we live in a world where people don’t judge based on appearance, but you need to give yourself the best chance by making sure you look as smart as possible.
Even if your interview is virtual, it’s still important to be well presented and dress as if you were heading to a face-to-face meeting. To help, here’s our guide on what to wear to an interview.
Plan ahead of time
It’s important to allow yourself plenty of time to choose your outfit in advance. Firstly, planning your outfit enables you to deal with any wardrobe mishaps. There’s nothing worse than throwing on something the morning of your interview only to find that it doesn’t fit or there’s a button or two missing.
Secondly, outfit preparation lets you relax on the day of your interview. You don’t want to be rushing as your haste is likely to follow through to your interview, and recruiters will be able to sense it. If you plan ahead, you’ll be able to don your outfit at a relaxed pace and go over your interview preparation notes one last time.
Look into the company
When deciding what to wear to an interview this year, it’s important to consider the company in question. Many offices and corporate environments operate in traditional business attire, in which case you should go for a conservative look; think tailoring, suits, shirts, ties, dresses, blazers and leather shoes.
If, for example, the company interviewing you is more creative or a start-up IT company with a casual edge, you can opt for something a little more smart-casual.
Err on the side of caution
If you’re not sure what to wear for your interview this year, and you don’t have time to ask, it’s better to play it safe as it only takes a second to make a lasting impression. If you turn up to your interview slightly overdressed, you’ll be fine; the interviewer will see you’ve made an effort and are keen to create a positive impression. But arrive underdressed and you’ll come across as uncaring and badly prepared, which might well cost you the job itself.
In customer-facing roles such as a banking job your presentation will need to be immaculate because you represent the company – in which case it would be unwise to turn up to an interview underdressed!
Be comfortable in your outfit
Don’t feel you have to wear heels to look the part, but if you do opt for a bit of height, make sure you can walk in your shoes comfortably. You don’t want to be distracted by the fact that you could topple at any moment, nor do you want to genuinely faceplant the lobby floor.
Obviously, if you’re doing your interview over the phone or via video, then your choice of footwear isn’t important. However, comfort also applies to your outfit. Your interviewer will be able to tell if you’re uncomfortable in your clothes. Try on your entire ensemble before to make sure not only that it fits but that you feel confident in it – no squirming or straining or fiddling with buttons or uncomfortable collars!
If you feel a little nervous, the ‘fake it until you make it’ tactic does work. Just as putting on a smile and adjusting your body language can improve your mood, dressing up sharply can help you to feel more confident even if the thought of an interview makes you feel like a nervous wreck.
Tone down the colours, jewellery and makeup
An understated look is always the best approach when it comes to a job interview, so that your appearance doesn’t distract from what you have to say. The last thing you want is to detract from your responses with the clonking of your bracelets on the table.
Where to get help with clothes for job interviews?
Dress for Success Greater London (https://www.dressforsuccessgl.org/)
Run by Maxine and her wonderful team of volunteers, Dress for Success Greater London is part of a global network in 143 cities in 23 countries across the world, Dress for Success has branches in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It aims to empower women in the workplace by empowering them on the inside and the outside. As well as a professional clothing and styling service, it offers interview coaching and ongoing support for clients while they find their feet in the workplace. And it’s all free of charge.
Every client receives guidance from a dressing consultant to find the right outfit for them, and they can even help with accessories! This is followed by a one-to-one coaching session with an expert interview coach. Once a client has bagged a job, they are invited back for a Second Dressing to build a capsule working wardrobe to last until the first pay cheque. All the outfits are completely free of charge.
Dress for Success only takes clients from referrals from partner organisations, JobCentres, mental health charities, women’s refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, care services, youth organisations and Employment 4 All. If you have an interview booked, or have gained employment via E4AJobs and you do not have smart clothing and would like a referral to Dress for Success please complete this link.
Suited & Booted London (https://suitedbootedcentre.org.uk/)
Maria and the wonderful team at Suited & Booted believe wearing a great suit or smart clothing can be an empowering, transformative experience that boosts the self-belief needed to succeed in a job interview. Their service is available to low-income or unemployed men in Greater London, who are offered interview training, guidance and support, as well as a sharp suit. Based in central London, they’re just a stone’s throw from London’s famous Saville Row of tailors.
Smart Works – London, Birmingham, Leeds, Greater Manchester, Reading, Reading, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow (https://www.smartworks.org.uk/)
Smart Works exists for women from all walks of life to help them find a confidence-boosting outfit to wear in a job interview. The charity regularly receives referrals from JobCentres, mental health charities, women’s refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, care service and youth organisations.
Every client receives guidance from a dressing consultant to find the right outfit for them, and they can even help with accessories! This is followed by a one-to-one coaching session with an expert interview coach. Once a client has bagged a job, they are invited back for a Second Dressing to build a capsule working wardrobe to last until the first pay cheque. All the outfits are completely free of charge.
Ihateironing at Brixton Library, London
You’ll find a lot more than books available to loan from Brixton Library in south London. The library has partnered with London-wide dry cleaning company Ihateironing, to offer outfits for people in the local community to borrow for job interviews. The library even has a dedicated changing space to try on outfits, which are then cleaned by Ihateironing on their return, ready to be borrowed by another jobseeker.
Whether you need a blouse, professional shirt, blazer, trousers, jacket or coat, link to request a professional outfit from the team – Link.
Timpson, dry cleaning service (https://www.timpson.co.uk/stores)
If you’ve already got a good interview outfit, or maybe picked one up from a charity shop, but it’s looking a little worse for wear, a professional dry cleaning service could make all the difference. Timpson offers free dry cleaning if you’re unemployed and need an outfit cleaned for an interview. The service is available at all of their 500 stores.
How it works
- Bring your interview outfit to a Timpson store
- Speak to a staff member and let them know you’re going to an interview
- No vouchers or proof of eligibility are required
Why Timpson offers this service
- Timpson wants people to look their best when times are hard
- Timpson believes that people who use the free service will eventually pay for it when they get a job