Every time you’re looking for a new academic or career opportunity, it seems like there’s yet another qualification you have to strive for to have a fair shot. With all that to worry about, the last thing you need to be stressing over is what to wear to an interview.
So, you can take one more variable out of the equation; we’re going to go over a few rules you can follow to help you pick out the perfect interview outfit. If there’s one thing we know, it’s what to wear, and we want to help you put your best foot forward for an interview.
Keep reading to find out just what to wear to an interview for your best shot at making the best impression.
What To Wear to an Interview
Tops
The main concerns with your top are going to be fit, style, and coverage. You don’t have to wear a turtleneck, but make sure your top fits well without being too tight and covers your shoulders and stomach.
You can’t go wrong with a classic long-sleeve button-down, but if that’s not your style, you should still make sure that you opt for at least a wide strap and an appropriate length.
If you have a top with a collar and cuffs, make sure you fasten those appropriately. An elegant bow at the collar isn’t out of the question as long as you keep everything else pretty simple.
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Bottoms
When it comes to pants and skirts, straight leg and pencil cuts are the most reliable. That said, a nice A-line skirt can be fabulous. What you really have to worry about apart from that is length. You shouldn’t try any capris here, and make sure your skirt is knee-length or longer.
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Dresses
Our advice for dresses will essentially be a combination of that for tops and skirts. Make sure your shoulders are covered, and the skirt reaches at least to your knee.
Apart from that, make sure it has some structure, nothing too flowy. We love shift dresses, mainly as they work for almost any professional setting.
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Jackets
Your jacket is going to be what ties your looks together, so choose this one carefully. We recommend something with a classic silhouette like a blazer or trench coat.
If you’ve chosen a long sleeve top, you can also get away with a blazer-style dress without sleeves over it. If not, a blazer will be your lifesaver if your only clean top doesn’t provide enough coverage.
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Shoes
You might think that going to an interview requires that you wear heels. Luckily for your ankles, this isn’t true, but you should still be mindful of your footwear choice.
Make sure your toes are covered, and if you do wear heels, they shouldn’t be over three inches high.
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Accessories, Hair, and Makeup
As for hair, just make sure it’s clean, neat, and kept out of your face. That doesn’t mean you have to wear your hair up, but it might be wise to go with a headband to avoid strays falling in front of your eyes.
If the rest of your outfit is pretty subtle, consider tying your hair with a patterned scarf to add a little bit of interest.
Accessories and makeup follow some of the same rules as your clothing. Whatever you do, stay on the side of minimalism when choosing your accessories. A small pair of studs with a ring or necklace will be just fine; no need to put everything on at once.
With makeup, we also recommend sticking to one bold item like a brightly colored lip if you want to but keep the rest neutral.
Bottom Line
Interviews are an essential part of everyone’s life at some point, but that doesn’t mean you have to get inevitably stressed out about what you’re going to wear.
All you need to do is find the right balance of personal and professional in your outfit, and you should be just fine!
