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Interview prep

What to wear to an interview

Dress one step above what people in that job wear every day, in clean, pressed clothes that fit. At a casual workplace that can be dark pants and a neat shirt or blouse. For business casual, navy or black dress pants with a cardigan or jacket. For a formal office, a dark suit. Lay it all out the night before.

A woman in her early 30s at an open closet in the evening, holding up a navy blazer, with a white blouse and dark trousers laid out on the bed

How do you find out the dress code?

  1. 1

    Ask the person who scheduled you

    It's a normal question: “How do people on the team usually dress?” Coursera's guide suggests asking your interview contact by phone or email.

  2. 2

    Look at the company's photos

    Indeed and Coursera both suggest the company's website and social media, to see what people wear at work.

  3. 3

    Then go one step up

    UMass Dartmouth's career center says to plan on one step above the typical work attire for the role. If the team wears jeans and T-shirts, Coursera's example of one step up is non-denim pants and a tucked-in shirt.

  4. 4

    Still not sure? Clean and professional

    That's Indeed's advice when you can't tell. Even at a casual company, it says looking a little more professional than required can help.

What should you wear, by dress code?

  1. Casual workplace

    Dark jeans or pants, and a blouse, button-down or polo, or a knee-length skirt or dress. Add a cardigan if you like, and clean closed-toe shoes.

  2. Business casual

    Black or navy dress pants, or a knee-length dress or pencil skirt, with a button-down or blouse and a cardigan or jacket. Flats, heels, oxfords or loafers. Indeed suggests dressing up a little more if the role is client-facing.

  3. Business formal

    A dark suit, or a tailored dress or skirt with a matching jacket, closed-toe shoes and simple jewelry. UMass Dartmouth lists navy, gray, charcoal, taupe, pewter and black as suit colors for formal industries.

  4. Creative roles

    More room for color and personality. Coursera says bolder colors and distinctive styling can work in creative and fashion roles, as long as the look stays neat and fits well.

  5. Video interviews

    The same standard as in person, head to toe, says Coursera. Solid colors or subtle patterns and simple accessories work best on camera.

    How one-way video interviews work →

What should you not wear to an interview?

  1. Gym, beach or weekend clothes

    Coursera's list: graphic T-shirts, hoodies, athletic wear, ripped jeans, shorts, and flip-flops or casual sandals.

  2. Anything that doesn't fit

    UMass Dartmouth notes that clothes that are too large can look messy, and clothes that are too snug look ill-fitting.

  3. Pet hair, holes, stains or wrinkles

    Indeed says these can pull the interviewer's attention away from your credentials. Press or steam your clothes the day before.

  4. Strong cologne or perfume

    A strong scent can distract the interviewer, and some people are allergic, Indeed notes. Go light or skip it.

  5. Loud prints and neon

    Coursera and UMass Dartmouth both prefer solid colors or subtle patterns. Navy, black, gray, white, beige and other muted shades are safe choices.

Tattoos and piercings. The advice differs. Indeed says many employers accept visible tattoos and suggests checking what's normal in your industry. UMass Dartmouth's career center tells students to cover them. If the dress code check didn't settle it, look at the team in the company's own photos.

What should you do the night before?

  1. 1

    Lay out the whole outfit

    Indeed suggests laying out or hanging up the outfit the night before, so you can check that everything goes together.

  2. 2

    Press it and check it

    Iron or steam anything wrinkled, and look for pet hair, holes and stains.

  3. 3

    Check the weather

    Pick clothes for the season and the forecast. Indeed's example: skip sandals if it's raining.

  4. 4

    Plan the trip

    Know how long it takes to get there and leave extra time for traffic. CareerOneStop suggests arriving 10 to 15 minutes early.

What to bring to an interview: a checklist →

Interview tomorrow? The rest of tonight's plan →

Dressed for it? Now practice what you'll say

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Next: step 7 of 7, Offer and pay How to negotiate salary → What to say on the offer call, a counteroffer email, and what to ask for when base pay won't move.

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