With the interview season well underway, it is important to know what to wear. Given that your appearance can make or break a job interview, it is essential that you dress appropriately and confidently for your next big day.
This article will provide 10 best interview attire for women who want to shine!
Show Your Personality With a Print Cardigan
At a job interview it is easy to be plain and boring but you have the chance to show your fun side while maintaining a professional look. One way to do this, without overdoing it, is by wearing a print cardigan.
Depending on the kind of environment where you will be working after the interview – whether formal or not – a cardigan can be worn with a professional blouse, or it can be paired with jeans for more casual environments.
When selecting a patterned cardigan, keep the rest of your outfit simple to avoid looking like you overshot on your interview attire.
Can’t Go Wrong With a navy blue blazer
I can’t speak for all women, but I think that navy blue blazers are a must-have in any professional woman’s wardrobe.
They are versatile and despite their simplicity, they give off the effect of being business-casual chic without sacrificing a sense of professionalism. Whether you wear one with trousers and pearls or with a skirt, it will help you feel confident and professional before the interview.
My only word of advice when wearing skirts for an interview is to wear a knee-length skirt with closed shoes.
In a professional situation, you may want to wear slacks, dress pants, khaki pants or even dark wash jeans. The navy blue blazer can be paired with any of these and many more for a versatile yet still chic look. For a less formal interview setting (casual), the navy blue blazer is also perfect when worn with a dark wash denim or with trousers.
For those who are going for a less formal interview, navy blue may feel too formal. Consider choosing an edgier blazer in a color or interesting print.
Get a Khaki Blazer
Just because you are a woman doesn’t mean that you cannot borrow inspiration from the other gender. One way to do this is by getting a khaki blazer.
There are many ways you can wear a khaki blazer, but the most common ones include pairing it with navy blue bottoms and a matching skirt for an interview.
You can also go for dark wash jeans if you’re going for a more casual look. Feeling more formal? Pair the blazer with some eye-catching detail on your shirt, such as a lace detail or statement necklace.
Add a Black Dress Pants With a Sweater
Women’s black dress pants can be one of the most versatile pieces of clothing in your wardrobe. These will come in handy during a job interview and other occasions.
The best clothing to wear for interviews is a suit. It’s simple and straightforward while being a professional choice. However, it can be difficult to find a well-fitting suit that also has the right materials and color to make it look good. That is why black slacks are great option because the material looks reliable and well made, goes with nearly any color, and can be paired with any shirt.
Button-Down Shirts are a good option for an interview
Women often think that button down shirts are boring. Button-down shirts are usually only white and blue. But you can change their colors and fabrics to be different. Button-down shirts should be modest so you should remember this when making changes to the shirt.
You need to wear a button-down shirt that does not show your cleavage. It also needs to cover your bra at all times. Unless you are wearing it untucked, it should be tucked in.
Keep comfort in mind when selecting your clothes for the day
Don’t pick something too tight if there’s a chance it will make sitting uncomfortable, and avoid pieces which could get caught on door handles during transit – again, this is key for both comfort and professionalism.
Keep in mind the weather
Wearing something too heavy or light will not do your interview any favors if it’s an outdoor event, so pack a change of clothes just in case!
Try to match clothing items with shoes that are comfortable but still represent you well
Think more conservative than flashy here as well. Wear similar colors throughout your outfit, especially when choosing accessories such as belts and jewelry; while these can be fun ways to express yourself on other occasions, they should play a minimal role during interviews.
For women wondering what color blouse/shirt would go best with their suit jacket or dress pants (or skirt!), black goes hand-in-hand with many different colors and is a safe bet for interview attire.
What Shoes Should I Wear?
It’s important not to overlook your choice of shoes for an interview. While it might seem like the interviewer won’t be looking at you feet, that is far from reality. Walking into a job interview in heels that are too high or unwieldy can actually cast doubt on your appearance and demeanor before you’ve even had time to speak up about yourself.
Sure, high heels are nice, but they make it more difficult to stand confidently and present a professional image.
It is best to choose closed, dark or neutral colored shoes in an interview setting. While open-toed, brightly colored shoes may also look good on you, they do not project a professional image well. Besides low-to-medium heeled shoes, flats are another option for interviewing purposes.
Make sure your hair, makeup, nails are done to perfection!
Women who do their own makeup should be mindful of the powder vs liquid debate powders look more natural while liquids can offer better coverage in some cases, but it’s best not to go overboard with either one.
Refrain from wearing too much fragrance as well; you want people interviewing you to remember what you said during the meeting rather than how great or awful you smelled throughout 🙂
Expert Tip: Getting ready for an upcoming interview isn’t just about getting dressed up nice and looking professional on paper (though that does have its place); it also means preparing yourself mentally and emotionally beforehand so that when it comes time to shake hands and answer tough questions, you’re not just asking yourself “How did I forget how to speak?”
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I prepare for a job interview?
– Prepare your answers to common questions like “tell me about yourself,” “what are your strengths and weaknesses?” or “where do you see yourself in five years”
– Tailor these responses to what’s written on the company website to show that you’re well informed
– Practice answering difficult questions so they don’t catch you off guard during the actual interview
– Be confident! That will come across even if it isn’t always true. Interviewers can tell when people aren’t being genuine, which leaves them feeling uninterested and less likely to hire candidates who lack confidence.
What should I wear for an interview?
You want to look polished but not exaggerated. For women, a suit with a skirt or pants underneath is the way to go.
What about shoes?
Wear closed toe and heeled shoes that are comfortable enough for you to walk in comfortably on your feet while being long enough so you don’t trip over them when walking up stairs at an office or factory setting.
What about jewelry?
Wear one or two pieces of small, delicate jewelry. Avoid wearing accessories that are too distracting to the interviewer.
Q: What should I wear to an interview?
A: Business attire is typically recommended for interviews. Suits, skirts and blouses are a good choice.
You want to present yourself as professional but not overly formal or too casual. Comfort is also important so feel free to change into your interview outfit during the day if necessary!
Q: Should my skirt be knee-length or below the knees?
A: Knee length would generally be more appropriate than shorter lengths because it’s more conservative and less revealing.
However, this isn’t always true – some people might prefer shorter hemlines for their personal style preference (and may find they get better results since employers don’t like surprises).
The best rule of thumb is to dress professionally but in a way that reflects your personal style.
Q: What should I wear if my employer allows jeans?
A: If the company culture is one where employees are allowed to come into work wearing denim then you have the option of dressing just as casually when interviewing with them!
Keep in mind however, that some interviewers might be more formal or conservative and so it won’t always work to wear your blue jeans.
Q: What if I have tattoos?
A: If you’re interviewing for a company that has an identifiable dress code, then make sure yours is in compliance with theirs.
For example, if they require professional attire and the interviewer can see your tattoo when you shake their hand, they may get the impression that you don’t take care of yourself as well as other employees do – even though this isn’t true.
In some cases employers will ask about tattoos at interviews but not all companies are interested in them (or judgemental).
Q: What should I wear to an interview for a creative position?
A: The type of clothing worn might be more casual or less formal depending on what kind of company it is.
You want to dress professionally without coming off too conservative or overdressed. If interviewing for a graphic design job then something neat like “business-casual” or “business-chic” might work and if you’re interviewing for a magazine then jeans and flats would be appropriate.
It’s different with every company so research their dress code to find out what will make the best impression!
Q: What should I wear if the job is in a country with different temperature than my home?
A: It’s important to dress appropriately for the climate and culture of where you’re interviewing. If it’s summer then shorts may be your best bet but they might not fly during cold winter months! Check out what locals are wearing in the country you’re interviewing in and copy their style.
Q: What should I wear if the company doesn’t have a dress code?
A: This is where it’s helpful to do some research on what type of company you’re interviewing with. If they don’t appear to be strict about attire then you can err on the side of more formal or conservative clothing (depending on your personal style).
For example, if you’re interviewing for a graphic design company that focuses more on creativity then wearing jeans and flats might be appropriate whereas in other cases it may not.
It’s also helpful to look at what the CEO wears when going to work or as you drive by the office building where they are located (if possible) – that will give you some insight on what might be appropriate.
Q: What if I’m interviewing for a position where I’ll need to wear uniforms?
A: Depending on the company, there may not be any room for interpretation of dress code – this is especially true with government jobs or positions in restaurants and hotels. Check with your HR department or the person who scheduled your interview to see what types of uniforms are required.
Q: What should I wear if my employer allows jeans?
A: If the company culture is one where employees are allowed to come into work wearing denim then you have the option of dressing just as casually when interviewing with them!
Keep in mind however, that some interviewers might be more formal or conservative and so it won’t always work to wear your blue jeans.
Q: What is the best interview attire for women?
A: There are no hard and fast rules! Women can wear anything to an interview that makes them feel confident and comfortable.
It’s your first impression, so make it count by dressing in a way that reflects who you really are – as long as what you’re wearing meets the requirements for the job.
Q: What should I wear to an interview if it’s raining outside?
A: Check your local weather and dress accordingly! If you’re going to be in a dry, climate-controlled building then anything goes but if you’ll need to go outdoors or are meeting with someone in their office then be sure to wear something that can withstand the elements.
Q: What should I wear if it’s raining outside and my company wants me to dress conservatively?
A: Some interviewers might want you to come in wearing a suit or other formal clothing – which would then make sense for an outfit that could be taken on-and-off easily if you need to go outside for any reason.
If it’s summer then wearing khakis or a pencil skirt with flats would work well and if it’s winter, try looking at what women wear on the streets in your destination country – that will be more practical than trying to find a suit that can withstand rain!
Q: What should I wear if the interview is at a hotel?
A: If you’re interviewing for an entry level position then wearing business casual or smart-casual clothing would be appropriate. For example, slacks with a shirt and blazer when meeting in person or something like dress pants, heels and nice top over email.
Q: What should I wear if the interview is at a casual restaurant?
A: It’s best to dress just as casually when interviewing with them! If you don’t want to be overdressed, then opt for something like khakis and a nice top.
If they are more formal or conservative in the type of clothing worn, then err on the side of that.
Q: What should I wear if the interview is at a casual restaurant and my company wants me to dress conservatively?
A: If they want you to come into work in suit then it will be best to find an outfit that can withstand rain. This might mean opting for something like khakis or pants, blouse and flats.
If you’ll need to go outdoors or are meeting with someone in their office then be sure to wear something that can withstand the elements.
Q: What should I wear if I’m interviewing for a restaurant position?
A: If it’s an entry level job and they allow jeans, then dress just as casually when interviewing with them!
