What to wear to a job interview

Interviewing for a new position can be an exciting step in your career. But whether moving into a more senior role or transitioning to a new field, you may be unsure of what to wear to a job interview. As remote work increases in popularity, virtual interviews are changing expectations as well—which means there’s a lot to consider for those looking to get a job.

Your interview appearance could help you show off your soft skills and even land the role. This guide will help you assess a company’s culture and make an informed decision about how to dress for a job interview.

Key takeaways

• Interviewees can research the company’s culture and dress code by checking with human resources and the workplace’s online presence to help decide what to wear to an interview.
• A general rule of thumb is to dress a step up from employees’ everyday attire.
• Whether you opt for business casual or professional, it’s good to ensure your appearance is neat, tidy and industry appropriate.

Knowing what to wear to a job interview usually starts with researching the company’s everyday business attire. That way, you don’t overdress or underdress. Here are a few ways to learn more about the company culture.

To know a company’s dress code, it may be worth going straight to the source—the company’s human resources department. HR can usually answer questions like “What do people normally wear when interviewing at your company?” or “What is the day-to-day dress code for employees?” You could also ask the recruiter or hiring manager for guidance. Showing initiative might even set you apart from other candidates.

A company’s website will typically have information about their culture and may even show photos of current employees. If the website content reads formally, you could assume employees might also dress formally. If it reads more casually, you might be able to dress accordingly. Browsing the website is also a chance to learn more about the company and consider some questions to ask during your interview.

Many companies today have a social media presence that showcases business accomplishments, events and company culture. A company’s social media may show you how people dress and act in the workplace.

Traditionally, the attire for a job interview is business professional. But you may be wondering, what does a particular business deem professional?

For example, a tech startup might consider dark jeans and a polo professional attire, while a financial or law company might prefer a full suit. Here’s a look at what you might want to wear to your interview based on the type of workplace.

A good rule of thumb is to dress a level above the typical dress code for a business. For example, if employees typically wear casual clothing like jeans or sundresses, consider taking it up a notch by dressing in business casual for the interview. In this scenario, a button-up shirt and tie or dress pants and a blouse might work nicely.

If employees regularly wear business casual clothing, then you may want to go with a more business professional outfit—like a matching suit with dress shoes.

If you have an interview in the labor industry, like with a manufacturing plant or an outdoor construction site, a suit may not be the best option. Instead, it might be appropriate to wear pants and a button-up shirt or polo.

Labor-intensive businesses have a heightened awareness of safety—especially when it comes to footwear. If you’re interviewing at a workplace with a lot of slip hazards, you could wear nonslip shoes to show your readiness. If you’re interviewing with a business in the outdoor or construction industry, it might be wise to wear work boots or other safety-rated shoes.

In today’s work environment, it’s not uncommon to interview virtually. Whether you’ll be working from home or heading to the office or factory floor five days a week, many companies are conducting interviews on video call platforms.

When you’re deciding what to wear to a virtual interview, consider the same advice as above. Ensure your appearance is neat and tidy and that your clothes are lint and wrinkle free. While in the virtual interview, try to present yourself well by sitting up straight at a reasonable distance from the camera and in the center of the frame.

Now that you understand the ways a work environment influences how you might dress for an interview, here are more ideas on specific clothing to wear.

In addition to the suggestions below, consider avoiding heavy perfume and choosing accessories and jewelry thoughtfully. The focus of the interview should be on your skills and competencies—not a distracting necklace or scent.

The standard for men’s attire for a professional interview used to be a suit. But in today’s workplaces, men often dress down from a full suit—although places like law firms might be exceptions. It’s a safe bet to wear nice slacks, a button-up shirt and a tie. You can tuck in your shirt and match your shoes to your belt to keep your appearance tidy.

The days of women being required to wear a skirt or dress in the workplace are mostly gone. Appropriate interview attire for a woman may be slacks and a blouse or nice sweater. If it’s the right season, a dress may be acceptable too.

Whatever level of business attire you decide to wear, you can typically cover your bases with the following suggestions:

• Lint-, stain- and wrinkle-free clothing
• Dress pants with matching jacket, if appropriate
• Button-up shirt or blouse
• Subtle jewelry or accessories
• Industry-appropriate footwear

Wearing the right outfit for your interview might play a role in landing the job. If you start by understanding a company’s culture and dress code on an average workday, you can better choose what to wear to the interview.

Once you’re feeling confident in your attire, it might be time to get ready for other important aspects of your interview. Check out how to write a resume and tips for negotiating salary.