Job Interview Clothes Do's and Don'ts

Know what job interview clothes to wear. Whatever environment your job interview is taking place in, a conservative company or a more relaxed workplace, some basic business clothing rules will always apply.

Follow these tried and tested do's and don'ts when selecting your interview attire and be sure of making the right impression.

Avoid sabotaging your chances of interview success by projecting an inappropriate image with the wrong interview clothes.

What are appropriate job interview clothes?

Your hair and make-up - do's and don'ts

• Your hair should be neatly combed and styled. Avoid a style that allows you to
  fiddle with your hair - this makes you appear nervous and unsure.

• Do keep you hair off your face. You don't want to be constantly flicking your hair out of the way during the interview.
• Sunglasses pushed up into your hair is a definite no! It looks messy and unprofessional.
• Do wear understated makeup in natural tones.
• Don't wear too much makeup. Overdone eye shadow, heavy eyeliner and brightly-colored lipstick make you appear frivolous and unprofessional.
• Do ensure your nails are clean and manicured and only wear neutral polish.
• Unless the job is in a very informal environment men should have a traditional haircut and shave before the interview. A clean shave makes the right impression. If you really want to retain your facial hair make sure it is neatly trimmed.

Keep it professional - interview clothing do's and don'ts

• Your hemline should fall just above or on your knee.
• Short and split skirts are difficult to sit comfortably in - you have to continually tug your skirt down during the interview.
• Hiring managers complain about candidates who wear short skirts and sexy clothing to job interviews. It is unprofessional and detracts from the purpose of the interview - which is to assess your job skills.
• Job interview clothes should fit properly and not be too tight.
• Low neck-lines, transparent fabric and bra straps on display should be avoided. Good tips on Your shoes - interview attire do's and don'ts
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Wear closed-toe, medium to low-heeled shoes such as a pair of black pumps.
    
  • You should be able to walk comfortably in your shoes and appear
    confident and at ease.
  • Very high-heeled shoes are unsuitable.
  • Avoid
    brightly colored and trendy shoes - you are not there to make a fashion
    statement.
  
  
  
  
  

  Invest in a pair of smart business-wear shoes. You will get a lot of wear out of a pair of black or dark brown shoes. Make sure your shoes are clean and well shined. Scruffy and scuffed shoes ruin the smartest job interview clothes.

  Carry a smart bag
  

  
  
  
  
  
  • Carry a small briefcase or similar bag in place of a purse to your job interview. This provides an easy way of carrying a tablet or laptop, if you need to take one with you to the interview, as well as all your documents.
  • If you feel you need a purse, a small structured one is preferable to a large floppy bag. Avoid canvas, denim and straw, these look very unprofessional.

  Your accessories - do's and don'ts when dressing for an interview
  

  • Do wear
    understated jewelry. Ostentatious, in-your-face jewelry is a big
    distraction and gives the impression of flashiness.
  • For men a classic
    watch and one simple ring per hand are acceptable. Avoid necklaces and
    bracelets.
  • Big, dangling earrings and jangling bracelets are particularly
    distracting on women candidates as they bounce about as you talk and
    move your hands.
  
  
  • Anklets can make your feet a focal point. You want the interviewer to concentrate on your face and what you have to say.
  
  

  Select your job interview clothes the day before

  
  

  Take time to prepare beforehand and select your interview clothes carefully. Pay attention to detail. All interview clothes should be clean, tidy and neatly pressed. Check for dangling threads, hems starting to come undone, stains etc.
  

  If you are having to travel any distance to your job interview consider
  how wrinkled your clothes may look after a couple of hours traveling.
  Select job interview clothes that do not crease easily.

  
  
  
  
  

  Job interview clothes for men and women
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW DRESS

  
  

  Job Interview Attire for Women

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW DRESS

  
  

  Interview Dress for Men

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW DRESS

  
  

  Job Interview Dress Code
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  How to find out the job interview dress code

  
  

  It is important to dress according to the interview dress code of the company.

  
  

  Your interview attire will also depend on the job you are interviewing for. tight budget.

  
  
  
  
  

  What to wear to a more casual job interview

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW CLOTHES
  

  
  

  Smart Casual Interview Clothes for Women
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW CLOTHES

  
  

  Smart Casual Interview Clothes for Men
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW CLOTHES

  
  

  How to Find Out the Job Interview Dress Code
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  Job interview do's and don'ts - the right interview etiquette

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW TIPS

  
  

  Top 10 Job Interview Tips
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW TIPS

  
  

  The Right Interview Etiquette
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  

  INTERVIEW TIPS

  
  

  Interview Communication Tips
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  

  Find out how to conduct yourself in an interview at interview body language is part of your overall appearance. Make sure you are fully aware of the message you are sending with your non-verbal signals.

  
  

  Interview Attire > Dress Do's and Don'ts
  

  
  

  To Top of Page