There are few situations in life when even the most phlegmatic of us start to stress about what to wear. A job interview, whether it's in person or online, is undoubtedly one of those events. Maybe you're applying for your dream job, or better yet, you've been contacted directly by a company that wants you for the position you've been waiting for years. They've read your resume, they know what you can do, now it's just a matter of showing up for them in person for a few minutes.
But your interview doesn't start with the first question, it starts at the door. So why not score a few bonus points with a good first impression? It sounds shallow, but your clothes are the first thing you notice about a person... The days of standard suits that are suitable for any job interview are long gone. On the contrary, coming dressed up can sometimes be worse than being dressed poorly. That's why we've put together a simple guide that will prepare you perfectly for any job interview.
A place where suits are still worn
While it may seem like suits are only worn for weddings and funerals these days, there are still professions where they are considered a must-have. So if you're going to an interview where suits are the order of the day (like banks or law firms), it's best to wear a suit. But stay away from bold stripes and patterns and wear a well-fitting navy or dark gray suit to your interview. Pair it with a plain white or pale blue shirt. If you want to wear a tie, choose one that's not too flashy. And gentlemen, if your interview is taking place online, wear pants, just in case.
A place where suits are only worn occasionally
If your future job only expects you to wear a suit during a presentation or meeting with an important client, you don't need to dress as formally for the interview. If you're worried that you'll look too dressed up in a suit, a smart casual outfit is the way to go. But still, be more on the smart side than casual. What does that mean? Basically, anything that's more formal than jeans. A cotton suit, which is casual cotton pants and a jacket in the same color, works great for this occasion. Pair it with a simple shirt or turtleneck. Smart, but not too casual.
A place where suits aren't worn at all
More and more offices are set up for a completely casual style of dress. Coming to an interview in a suit if your new job will be in such an environment may indicate that you are not completely in tune with their culture. Therefore, creatives, people from advertising and other similar industries should show with your outfit that you can think a little differently when it comes to clothes. Feel free to wear jeans, but match the rest of the outfit with creative elegance. How about adding a white shirt to them and wearing a knitted cardigan instead of a jacket? You will show that you have coordinated in a modern, professional way, and that your boss will not have to be ashamed of you when a client walks through the office every now and then.
A place where they literally wear sweatpants
It's no secret that many IT companies are set on t-shirts, sweatpants and sandals. If you show up to an interview perfectly dressed, you probably won't fit in. However, showing up in a ripped T-shirt from a music festival is probably not ideal either. So don't complicate things in this case, everyone has a simple shirt in their closet. Combine it with dark jeans and put on a simple V-neck sweater on top to look neat. Good luck!
