Make sure you don’t make these interview fashion blunders.

How can you dress properly for a job interview while remaining genuine to yourself? Can you express yourself in a unique and innovative way while yet making a positive first impression?

The first thing a recruiter or interviewer notices when you enter the room is your clothes and overall “appearance.” Don’t let their first impression of you be the final nail in your employment coffin. You’ve amazed them with your résumé and credentials, so don’t let their first impression of you be the final nail in your work coffin. According to a 2017 survey, 75% of recruiters believe job applicants dress too casually. Don’t just go with the flow; be one of the 25% that is dressed to impress!

We encourage that you dress professionally for business. Blazers, suits, skirts, dress pants, and dress blouses/shirts are all suitable choices for a job interview, but what should you avoid? Continue reading to find out what you should and should not wear to an interview.

Don’t put on a sloppy outfit.

To each of us, casual clothing signifies something different. For a job interview, yoga pants, pyjamas, wrinkled clothing, jeans, shirts, hoodies, and t-shirts are all inappropriate.

Wearing these items can give the impression that you are uninterested, uncaring, or just unprofessional, and by dressing too casually, you may easily swing the decision regarding whether or not you will be employed in the wrong direction.

Wearing clothes that is too tight or ripped is not a good idea.
When going to a job interview, dressing for the club should not be your motivation. Avoid clothing that is too tight, too exposing, or has holes in it. Anything that exposes underwear, cleavage, too much flesh, or midriffs is considered inappropriate.

While ripped and tight clothing can make a favourable impression and be fashionable, it is not appropriate for a job interview.

Don’t be ostentatious.

Wearing flamboyant or extremely colourful apparel to an interview is a no-no; simple hues are the most trustworthy for conveying professionalism. For a job interview, black, brown, grey, and white are all appropriate colours.

However, if you’re hiring for a creative company, are an artist, or the work requires everyday dress statements, there is an exemption. If you’re interviewing at a fashion magazine, for example, you’ll want to make sure you’re up to date and making a good first impression.

Do not prepare for a job interview without first investigating the firm.

You want to gain a sense of the company’s culture during your study so you don’t show up for your interview dressed poorly. Consider the situation where you have dressed beautifully in a suit but the rest of the workforce is dressed casually and the organisation has a strict no-suit policy. This isn’t always the case, but you won’t know until you do your homework.

Feeling out of place at an interview can make you nervous and cause the hiring manager to doubt whether you’d be a good fit. You may avoid these scenarios by doing your homework ahead of time. If you can’t locate anything that says one way or the other, phone the recruiting office and ask if business casual is OK. The answer will assist you in deciding what to wear.

Don’t go overboard with the accessories.

Keep your accessories minimal: no huge jewellery, no facial piercings, and keep your makeup plain.

During an interview, you don’t want your cosmetics, perfume, or jewellery to distract you. If you have a watch or a smartwatch with an alarm, ensure sure it’s turned off before entering. You want to be remembered for your personality and expertise, not for frantically trying to hush things while answering questions.

Keep perfumes and colognes to a minimum when it comes to fragrance (or eliminate altogether). Interviews may take place in tight spaces, making a few spritzes of your trademark smell overbearing. You never know who you’ll be talking with, and you never know if they have allergies. In an in-person interview, if in doubt, go for decent hygiene but a light fragrance.

Don’t forget about your footwear.

For any job interview, flip flops are a no-no. Sandals should be avoided unless they are open-toed high heels or dress sandals. Instead, choose reasonable shoes that complement your outfit – nothing too flamboyant or outlandish. There should be no very high heels, colourful or old sneakers, or distracting shoes.

Wearing new shoes to a job interview is also a no-no! Recruiters will notice if you are hobbling or uncomfortable if you have blisters.

Wearing a hat is not recommended.

Avoid wearing earbuds or earphones, caps, beanies, or hoods during an interview. None of these things is acceptable, and they can be both distracting and off-putting. You don’t want the recruiter to assume you’re uninterested or not paying attention to what they’re saying. They can also be distracting and lead you to fidget.