Interview Attire Guidelines

How should we dress for the interview? Dressing appropriately for an interview is crucial to making a positive first impression. Here are some general guidelines on how to dress for an interview: #research the Company Dress Code: Before the interview, research the company's dress code. Different industries and companies may have varying expectations for attire. #Choose Professional Attire: For most interviews, it's safest to wear professional business attire. This typically includes a suit (or a coordinated blazer and dress pants/skirt) for both men and women. #Colors and Patterns: Stick to neutral colors like black, gray, navy, or brown. Avoid flashy or overly bright colors. Subtle patterns, like pinstripes or small checks, are generally acceptable. #Conservative Clothing: Aim for conservative and modest clothing. Avoid clothing that is too tight, too short, or too revealing. #Grooming Matters: Pay attention to personal grooming. Ensure your clothes are clean, pressed, and in good condition. Maintain good personal hygiene. #Footwear: Choose closed-toe shoes that are clean and polished. For men, dress shoes are appropriate, and for women, conservative heels or flats work well. #Minimal Accessories: Keep accessories to a minimum. A watch, simple jewelry, and a professional-looking bag are usually sufficient. #Avoid Strong Fragrances: Skip strong perfumes or colognes, as some people may be sensitive to strong scents. #Consider the Industry: Adjust your attire based on the industry. For example, a creative field might allow for more individual expression, while a corporate setting may require a more formal approach. #Bring Necessary Items: Bring a clean, professional-looking portfolio or folder to carry your resume, a notepad, and any other relevant documents. Remember, the key is to present yourself as polished, professional, and respectful of the company's culture. If in doubt, it's always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed for an interview.

Figuring out the appropriate attire for an interview with a hiring manager involves understanding the company culture and the role you’re applying for. Here are the steps to ensure you’re dressed appropriately: ✅Research the Company Culture: Visit the company’s website and look for photos or videos of employees. Companies often showcase their workplace attire in promotional materials. Check the company’s social media pages, especially LinkedIn, for posts featuring staff or events. ✅Review the Industry Norms: Different industries have varying standards for interview attire. For example, finance and law often require formal business attire, while tech or creative industries may lean toward business casual. ✅Ask for Guidance: If you’re unsure, politely ask the recruiter or HR contact for advice. You could say, “I want to make sure I dress appropriately for the company culture—can you provide any guidance on attire?” ✅Default to Business Professional: If you’re uncertain, dressing in formal business attire (a suit and tie for men; a tailored suit or dress for women) is usually a safe bet. It’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. ✅Pay Attention to Job Level: Leadership roles often require more formal attire, while entry- to mid-level positions may allow for slightly relaxed dress codes, depending on the industry. ✅Look for Clues During the Hiring Process: If you’ve had earlier interactions (like a phone screen or a tour), recall how employees were dressed. Dressing appropriately demonstrates professionalism and shows the hiring manager you’ve done your homework on the company. If you’re in doubt, err on the side of formal attire. #interviewing #attire #dresscode #companyculture

Question I get often for interviews, especially the first one, which is most likely over video: "Dude, what do I wear?" Here's a quick thumb guide on how you can infer what to do: - Stalk their LinkedIn. Look at employee profile pics. Are they wearing suits? Hoodies? Branded polos? That’s your baseline. - Dig through company pics. Check their “About Us” page, Instagram, or press releases. See what leadership wears in public. -Look at people with your job title. On LinkedIn, same role + same company = your dress code cheat sheet. - Decode the job posting. “Fast-paced” and “innovative” usually means casual or smart casual. “Professional” or “corporate” means you gotta break out the jacket. --- Then know that different industries have different rules: -Finance, law, consulting: Suit up. Period. There's a reason the show is called "Suits" - Tech, creative: Smart casual. Button-down, blouse, blazer — no tie unless it’s clearly their norm. - Manufacturing, logistics, skilled trades: Polo or collared shirt. Look sharp but practical. Show up in a suit and you risk looking like a corporate stiff who cannot relate to the workforce and culture. - Startups: Casual, but level up one notch from what they normally wear. Everyone in a t-shirt? Wear a polo. Everyone in a polo? Wear a button-up. --- Golden rule: It’s easy to take off a blazer mid-call. It’s impossible to add one without looking like you just got dressed. (True story- this happened to me in a meeting with a group of investors. I showed up in a suit with no tie and everyone was in a polo. Definitely felt out of place. In the first 10-15 min, I took off the jacket and rolled back my sleeves, and was more at ease with everyone.) Aim one step more formal than you think you need. First impressions count. Make yours look like you showed up to win. --- If you are interviewing people, what do you expect them to wear?

🎥 Dressing for Success in a Video Interview 👔👩💼 Job seekers, this one is for you! Your appearance in a video interview speaks before you do. Dressing professionally shows you appreciate the opportunity and helps boost your confidence on screen. Here’s how to make a strong visual impression: ✅ 1. Dress Like It’s In-Person Even from home, go for business casual or —whatever “fits the role.” Example: If you are interviewing for an accounting role, don’t show up to meet the CFO in an old T-shirt. Know your audience. • Men: Collared shirt, polo, blazer optional • Women: Blouse, top, dress, with or without blazer or cardigan ✅ 2. Keep It Neutral & Camera-Friendly Stick with solid blues, grays, whites, or earth tones. Avoid: • Busy patterns • Bright white or neon • Distracting prints ✅ 3. Grooming & Accessories Matter • Neat hair & fresh grooming • Minimal accessories • No hats or sunglasses ✅ 4. Yes—Wear Pants You never know when you’ll need to stand. Plus, dressing fully keeps you mentally in “interview mode.” I once had a candidate who needed to get up and let the dog out. That was fine, but if he/she had pajamas on, it would have been shown in the video. ✅ 5. Test the Tech Setup ✅ Check if you can connect and your video is working. Keep your background clean, use a filter if you need to. (No one wants to see your unmade bed in the background) Yes! This happens! 👀 First impressions do count—even virtually. Dress with intention, and you'll show up as your most professional and prepared self. #JobSearchTips #InterviewTips #RemoteWork #VideoInterview #Hiring #PlanITROI #ChangingLivesWithAffordableTechnology #Teams #Zoom