Hey friends!
Today we are talking about a pretty stressful subject when it comes to college students, (queue Jaws theme song) INTERVIEWS! Now, I assume if you’re reading this article that means you are already extremely stressed out and have no idea what to wear. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Pretend I am your fairy godmother and I’m going to find the perfect dress for the ball.
Not all interviews are going to be the same or even somewhat similar. Seriously, I just found out that in an interview for Top Golf you have to do a dance party with other coworkers. So we are going to split up our suggestions into different categories to best fit what you need!
The Strict Company Interview
If you are interviewing with a company that is primarily people twice your age that you can’t relate to whatsoever, this is most likely where you will fall. This company values tradition and does not appreciate flashy colors and fashion statements. Alright so what do you wear?
For this interview, you have to wear a two-piece suit with a neutral toned blouse or button up underneath it. Trust me, you will be laughed out the door if you don’t have a suit on. As long as your suit is either black, grey, or navy you should be good to go! Also make sure your clothes are clean, it seems silly to say but please make sure you and your clothes are well groomed.
As far as shoes and accessories go, again traditional is the best route. I would recommend some basic business shoes (a classic pair of nice shiny flats is my personal favorite) but you could wear some heels if they are modest enough (not more than 2 inches). Also, try to leave home any jewelry that is distracting so if you have multiple bracelets, sets of earrings, or even a watch should probably be left at home. It is also important that you cover up any tattoos, piercings, and make sure your hair and makeup is in a more traditional style (pink probably isn’t your best look for this job).
The Millennial Interview
If the company you are meeting with seems like it is out of a movie; everyone is under 40, wears jeans and a t-shirt, and seems like they never get enough sleep, it’s safe to say you can dress a bit more casual. Now, it’s still important to show the best side of you. So, I suggest still keeping the blazer, however maybe losing the suit pants and going for something a bit trendier or casual. A great idea would be a fun patterned blazer, a collared shirt, and then some black pants to go with it.
Especially if you are going more casual than the traditional interview outfit, make sure it is done tastefully. You need to smell nice, be presentable, and make sure all of your clothes are ironed and look great. If you are going nontraditional with the outfit, your hair and makeup should be more traditional to balance it out and show that you care about appearance.
In this interview, I wouldn’t care as much about hiding tattoos, still go traditional with the shoes though.
As far as jewelry make sure you are keeping it as minimal as possible for the first interview, and if you have piercings that you aren’t sure you would be accepted, just ask! I wouldn’t wear it to the first interview however, ask during the interview to see if that would be okay on a day to day basis.
The Creative Interview
This job is definitely your dream job, everyone is motivated and constantly working on exciting new projects. In the office people are always dressed up in the most stylish outfits. For this job, I recommend wearing professional pants (of any color) and pairing it with an appropriate yet nontraditional blouse. In most creative jobs they are looking to hire people that stand out and have new and fun ideas. Show this is a huge part of your personality through your clothing. There is a line however, make sure it is professional and tasteful but play with the material and color of your blouse and pants.
I would recommend common business shoes, just with a pop of color that goes with your outfit. As far as jewelry keep it minimal again for the first interview. This is the only interview I would recommend wearing a little bit of fun eyeshadow, just make sure the rest of you (hair, jewelry, makeup) is subdued and not over the top.
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