Is that interview outfit smart or schlumpy? Is it right for the employer's workplace culture and the role? Learn what to wear – and what NOT to wear – to make the best impression…and get hired: 

How we dress says much about who we are and what we want to achieve. In an interview, your clothes communicate your approach to work. Here's how to use your outfit to your advantage – and get one step closer to landing the job.  

Back to Basics 

Every wardrobe starts with the basics – so does every successful interview outfit.  

• Keep it clean: Many people don’t notice clean clothes, but they immediately notice dirty, stained, frayed, or torn clothes. Mind the details to look your best. 
• Keep it sharp: Pressed clothes automatically elevate your look. Invest in wrinkle-free or no-iron fabrics if you’re not interested in ironing your own clothes.  
• Tend your foundation: Start with a bath or shower. Comb or brush your hair, trim any facial hair, and clean your hands and nails thoroughly.
• Try it on: Try several outfits to determine what you feel comfortable in and what colors look good on you.  

Tailor Your Look for Success 

Popular advice says, "dress for the job you want." But what does that look like? Here's how to think about dressing for various interview situations.  

Zoom Interviews 

Zoom interviews combine the challenges of choosing clothes with the challenges of setting up your environment. 

• Choose and wear a full outfit. You'll feel more confident. If you have to stand up during the interview, you won’t reveal that you only dressed from the waist up.  
• Pick an outfit that feels comfortable when you're sitting down. You want to focus on the interview, not on your too-tight waistband or cuffs that keep riding up.  
• Test the outfit on your webcam. Make sure the colors and/or patterns read well on camera before the interview.
• Use Zoom's background settings to reduce distractions behind you during the interview and keep the focus on you.  

Professional Jobs 

Professional roles demand personal responsibility and a willingness to stand out when needed. They also require greater attention to detail.  

• Look the part. Dress like other professionals in the field – whether that means avoiding the traditional suit or embracing it.
• Embrace your power. Choose colors that suit you and one standout accessory. A strong tie or piece of statement jewelry can leave the impression that you’re confident and secure in your professional skills.
• Conservative environments still leave room for personal touches. Choosing more colors or one specific jewelry piece can boost your confidence and complete your look.  

Blue-Collar Jobs 

Strike a balance between "I'm taking this role seriously" and "I can do the dirty work."  

• Skip the jeans and opt for khakis or dress pants. 
• A button-down shirt or polo is always appropriate.  

• Too many accessories, especially if the job involves machinery that makes accessories dangerous to wear. 
• Shirts with graphics or writing.
• Shorts.
• Open-toed shoes.
• Anything with tears, wrinkles, or stains.  

Creative Jobs 

Creatives are hired for their ability to think outside the box – and their interview outfit can reflect this.  

• Choose clothes that give you a sense of both power and comfort. 
• Pay extra attention to color families and relationships. This detail will communicate your sense of detail and aesthetic harmony.  
• Play with silhouettes and fabrics. Oversized blazers, tweeds, boucle, and similar textures blend professionalism and creativity.  

Tech Jobs 

Tech workplace dress codes range from casual to client-facing professional. When dressing for a tech interview, consider: 

• Basic pieces and colors can communicate that you're focused on the work.  
• Elevating your look a bit if you interview for a client-facing role. Dress pants and a button-down shirt may be more appropriate than khakis and a polo.
• Many tech companies find full suits a bit stuffy – but they may be appropriate for top jobs in traditionally conservative fields, like a tech company's legal department.  

When in Doubt… 

Everyone has that go-to outfit that makes them feel fabulous. Build your go-to interview outfit in the same way: 

• Choose items that make you feel confident and comfortable.
• Ask yourself, "If I were the boss, how would I dress to convince people to look up to me?" Use this as the basis for your outfit.
• Look up the company's dress code. If you cannot find one, look up photos of people working at the company or doing the same job elsewhere.
• Ask for advice! Talk to a colleague in the field, a friend who works for the same company, or a staffing recruiter like CornerStone Staffing for advice on how to dress for the job – and land it. Contact us today!