What to wear to an interview

What you wear to a job interview helps to make a great first impression. It should be reflect how professional you are, but be comfortable enough to help you feel and be your best during the interview. Find out more below.

Casual, formal or smart casual?

In general, pick something that looks quite formal. People expect you to be more formal at an interview, so don’t worry that you are coming across as over-dressed. A safe option is smart casual. You don’t need to wear a suit to an interview for a construction job, but you still want to feel comfortable in clothes that suit you and show you are keen to make a good impression.

Aim for tidy, not brand new

If you are buying a new interview outfit, stick within your budget. Interviewers want to be able to picture you as a good fit for the role, but they understand you are coming to a job interview with the aim to earn money, not spend all of it straight away!

You can also double check your current wardrobe to see if you’ve already got clothing that’s suitable for interviews.

Make sure your outfit is clean, and doesn’t have any creases in it. This shows you care about small details and understand what it means to present yourself in a professional way.

Try your interview outfit on in advance so you know it fits and makes you look professional and feel great.

Keep it practical

Check the weather. On hot days you might get sticky and sweaty on public transport, and on cold or wet days you might need an extra coat or umbrella. Whatever the weather, be prepared and keep your cool.

Know what, if any, hairstyles or accessories you want on the day of the interview so you can fix them quickly and easily. The general guide is to keep it simple.

Bringing your whole self to the interview

Inclusive employers understand that you can be professional and still be yourself.

You can attend interviews in an outfit that’s a good fit for the workplace but still celebrates your diversity. That might mean modest attire, dyed hair, body modifications or clothing that reflects your personality and gender - on your terms.

In large organisations, like high street chains, you can visit their public stores or restaurants in advance to see how staff present themselves. Are they wearing modest attire or articles of faith? Do any of them have dyed hair, piercings or tattoos? If so, it’s a good sign that the employer is inclusive and you can feel confident in bringing your whole self to the interview.

Sometimes you might choose to celebrate your diversity but tone it down while job seeking. That could mean temporarily removing some or all piercings, dyeing hair a different colour, and choosing skin art placements that can be revealed or covered as you wish.

Whatever you choose, it’s important to remember that you need to be happy being yourself in your new role. You can come from any background and still be a great fit for the opportunity you are applying for.

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