Getting Your Dream Job: 5 Interview Outfit Tips

Dressing up for your interview is one of the essential factors to get the job. Although your resume, way of answering, and skills tell a lot about your ability to perform the tasks, the clothes you wear can say a lot about your confidence, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Besides, even if you have a great resume, when you don’t care about what you look like, there’s a high chance that you’ll get rejected. Imagine if you look like a mess when you have your interview, the interviewers might think that you’re not serious about the job. At the same time, there may be a lot of other applicants who have the same level of knowledge and experience who can also properly present themselves.

So, in this article, we’ll give you some tips about the ideal interview outfit ideas to get your dream job.

1. Know and Understand the Company Culture First

Before getting deeper into the outfit planning process, you should first understand the company culture. In doing so, you should research the company through its website, social media accounts, and even ask your recruiter about the background of company.

Once you have an idea of what they usually wear, their industry (such as corporate, startups, and retail), and other things they implement, you can start curating the pieces that will define your interview outfit.

2. Classic Outfit Ideas for Women

Although self-expression is becoming a popular way to present oneself, some companies are still implementing classic interview fits and office attire. Here are some of the classic outfits you can use as inspiration for your next outfit interview.

Corporate Interviews:

Corporate interviews are often conducted where there are many other applicants, so showing a great first impression is a must. However, you shouldn’t be focusing only on your character, but also on the formality of the setting.

• Neutral-coloured pantsuit or skirt paired with a blouse

• Minimal make-up, jewellery, and other accessories

• Classic women’s boots, closed-toe heels, or flats

Business-Casual:

When it comes to business-casual or creative roles, adding some colour to your outfit is a common thing to do. Since it’s in the middle of formal and casual, you can still have freedom, but there are still limitations in terms of the range you can wear. Since you’re still going to work, here are some common clothing you can wear when applying for a job in a company that implements a business-casual environment:

• Midi dress, and trousers paired with a blouse

• Blazer or cardigan

• Ankle boots, low-heeled sandals, or stylish flats

• Statement jewellery (which doesn’t need to be expensive, yet adds personality)

Casual Workplace

Although it says casual, you should still aim for smart-casual, wherein you don’t look like you’re running errands, but you should still look decent when talking to clients and partners. Here are some of the choices to choose from:

• Dark jeans, trousers, a midi skirt, or a semi-flowy dress

• Women’s boots, heels, sneakers, or flats

• Cardigan, casual blazer, or a stylish jacket

• You can wear any accessories you like, and avoid going overboard

3. Gender-Neutral Outfit Ideas

If you’re aiming for a gender-neutral look, you should also try some of these selections:

• Neutral-coloured trousers (they can be dark grey, navy blue, black, or white)

• Button-down shirt (pick one that suits well with your trousers)

• Polished shoes (ankle women’s boots, loafers for men, or flats)

• Although jewellery and accessories are encouraged, don’t wear too many items

4. Tips for Grooming and Final Touches 

It doesn’t matter if the clothes you wear are not that expensive, but make sure they look decent. Make sure to wash your clothes, iron them, and remove lint. When it comes to your hair, you don’t need to spend hours in the salon. As long as it’s not messy, you’re good to go.

As for the little things, such as the nails and scent, you can have your nails done, but avoid choosing designs that are too much so that it looks like you won’t be able to do anything. For the cologne, you can spray some, but pick a scent that’s subtle and can be appreciated by most people.

5. What Not to Wear

It’s a common thing to know and understand the things you should wear. However, some people don’t mind the things they shouldn’t wear for the interview. So, here are some things you should keep in mind:

• Streetwear (ripped jeans, athletic wear, and too-revealing clothes)

• Dirty shoes and clothes

• Loud patterns and neon colours

• Too many accessories

• Clothes that are too tight or too loose

• Too much make-up (unless you’re applying to a job that requires it)

Final Thoughts

Although there are many rules when it comes to choosing the best outfits to wear for an interview, you should still prioritise comfort when finalising the things to wear. If you’ve chosen the ideal clothes, yet you don’t feel as confident as you used to, don’t hesitate to change.