Casual
Casual dress can be suitable when you’re interviewing for charity work or a casual unpaid internship. For these interviews, it is likely that they won’t expect you to be dressed very formally, and will be more concerned with your personality, including your punctuality. Of course, it’s always good to make a positive first impression, so still give consideration towards what you are wearing.
Women- For women, skirts and smart jeans are appropriate in a casual interview. To ensure you still look presentable, make sure you avoid wearing mini-skirts with bare legs and ripped jeans. You could wear a smart dress with tights and a cardigan or a shirt-jumper combination with a smart pair of trousers or jeans. Opt for a smart ankle boot or a flat pump, but try to avoid trainers.
Men- For men, it can be hard to dress casually without looking too underdressed. Jeans are definitely appropriate, but similar to our advice for women, you should steer clear of ripped jeans. It's advisable to avoid wearing joggers or tracksuit tops, as these will not give off the best impression. A safe option would be a long-sleeved top, as well as jeans, dress shoes and a smart jacket.
Business casual
Some interviews may request business-casual attire on their invitation. This can be because they have this dress code in the office. The dress code may be for an assessment day where you are expected to be there all day and for this reason, recruiters will want you to feel comfortable. If you are unsure what to wear, it’s best to dress too formally rather than too casually to avoid giving off the wrong impression.
Women- With a business-casual dress code, you have a bit more freedom with what to wear than in a professional interview. You could wear pinstripe or patterned dress trousers with a smart shirt tucked in. Or you may prefer to wear a smart shirt underneath a long-sleeved jumper. This look gives off a formal impression.
Men- For men, styling a business-casual dress code slim fitting shirts can look really smart. It's also advisable to invest in a non-iron shirt. One that stays free of creases will mean there’s no need to rush around with the iron the morning before the interview! Also, when you’re travelling by car or public transport to the interview, a normal shirt can become creased. This can be avoided with a non-iron garment.Try to avoid wearing a polo shirt, as this is too casual and still steer clear of wearing jeans.
Professional
For formal interviews, it's important to adopt a professional look. These interviews could be in front of directors of the company so you'll want to make a good impression. First impressions count in interviews and with the high level of competition at this stage, you don’t want to fall at any hurdles.
Women- In a professional situation, women should opt for a suit. If you decide to wear a skirt, wear one with a hemline that is just below the knee to avoid it rising and becoming too revealing. A suit doesn’t have to be boring so do shop around to discover suits that are tailored in different ways and find one that suits your body shape. When it comes to footwear, heels are defintely acceptable but make sure you can walk with confidence in them. If you prefer flatter shoes opt for smart pumps or shoes with a smaller heel.
Men- Men should wear a suit when it comes to a formal interview, too. Wear dark socks to blend in with your outfit. Bringing along a briefcase will look both smart and professional. Brogues are a good choice of footwear as they are stylish and smart without being mundane. Opt for a tailored suit that you feel represents your style and that you feel comfortable in.
What to avoid
The main thing to do is to make sure you feel comfortable in your outfit as this will defintely show in the interview! There are, however a few things that you should avoid:
* Too much perfume or aftershave.
* Too much jewellery or makeup.
Good Luck!
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post
Professional
For formal interviews, it's important to adopt a professional look. These interviews could be in front of directors of the company so you'll want to make a good impression. First impressions count in interviews and with the high level of competition at this stage, you don’t want to fall at any hurdles.
Women- In a professional situation, women should opt for a suit. If you decide to wear a skirt, wear one with a hemline that is just below the knee to avoid it rising and becoming too revealing. A suit doesn’t have to be boring so do shop around to discover suits that are tailored in different ways and find one that suits your body shape. When it comes to footwear, heels are defintely acceptable but make sure you can walk with confidence in them. If you prefer flatter shoes opt for smart pumps or shoes with a smaller heel.
Men- Men should wear a suit when it comes to a formal interview, too. Wear dark socks to blend in with your outfit. Bringing along a briefcase will look both smart and professional. Brogues are a good choice of footwear as they are stylish and smart without being mundane. Opt for a tailored suit that you feel represents your style and that you feel comfortable in.
What to avoid
The main thing to do is to make sure you feel comfortable in your outfit as this will defintely show in the interview! There are, however a few things that you should avoid:
* Too much perfume or aftershave.
* Too much jewellery or makeup.
Good Luck!
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post
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