What to wear to a job interview

Interviewing for a new position can be an exciting step in your career. But whether you’re moving into a more senior role or applying for your first job, you may be unsure of what to wear to a job interview. And your interview attire may differ based on the industry and company culture.

You’ll typically want to look polished and professional while feeling confident in your appearance. This guide will help you make an informed decision about how to dress for a job interview.

What you’ll learn:

• Interviewees can research the company’s culture and dress code by checking with human resources and the workplace’s online presence to help decide what to wear to an interview.

• A general rule of thumb is to dress a step up from employees’ everyday attire.

• Whether you opt for business casual or professional attire, it’s good to ensure your appearance is neat, tidy and industry appropriate.

Here are three tips to help you dress your best—and appropriately—for your job interview:

Knowing what to wear to a job interview usually starts with researching the company’s everyday business attire. That way, you don’t overdress or underdress. You can learn more about the company culture by:

• Contacting the company. You can go straight to the human resources department, the recruiter or the hiring manager for guidance, and ask questions like “What do people normally wear when interviewing at your company?” or “What is the company dress code for employees?” 

• Visiting the website. Browsing the website before your interview can typically provide information about the company’s culture, how formal or informal it is, and may even show photos of current employees. It’s also a chance to learn more about the company so you can compose questions to ask during your interview.

• Checking social media. Many companies today have a social media presence that showcases business accomplishments, events and company culture. A company’s social media may show you how people dress and act in the workplace.

Traditionally, the attire for a job interview is business professional. But you may be wondering, what does a particular business deem professional? Here’s a look at what you might want to wear to your interview based on the type of workplace.

• Professional or formal work environments: In a professional setting, a button-up shirt and tie or dress pants and a blouse might work nicely. If employees regularly wear business casual clothing, then you may want to opt for more professional attire—like a matching suit with dress shoes.

• Labor-intensive work environments: If you have an interview in a labor-intensive industry, such as a manufacturing plant or an outdoor construction site, it might be appropriate to wear pants and a button-up shirt or polo rather than a suit. Footwear also plays a role in the labor industry. Consider wearing nonslip shoes, work boots or other safety-rated shoes to show your readiness.

• Casual environments: Employees who work from home or in more casual settings, such as start-ups, typically wear a wider range of attire on the job. But in interviews with these types of companies, it’s recommended to dress more business casual than super casual.

Regardless of the company or industry, there are a few common guidelines for what to wear to a job interview, such as:

• Dress to impress: A good rule of thumb is to dress a level above the typical dress code for the business. For example, if employees typically wear casual clothing like jeans or sundresses, consider taking it up a notch by dressing in business casual for the interview. 

• Keep it neat and clean: Ensure your outfit is neat and tidy. Take time to ensure your clothes have no visible rips or tears and are lint-, wrinkle- and stain-free. 

• Choose comfort and confidence: Feeling comfortable and confident in your appearance can help you stay focused on the interview questions.

Regardless of the work environment, make it a goal to look polished and professional for your interview. Here are more ideas for specific clothing to wear, broken down for both men and women.

Here’s how men can dress for a job interview in different work environments: 

• Professional or formal: You might choose a full suit for a professional work setting, such as a law firm or financial office. Choose dark, classic colors, such as navy or black, with a light-colored shirt, conservative tie and polished dress shoes. 

• Business casual: Most modern workplaces require business casual attire, which typically consists of well-fitting pieces such as tailored slacks, button-down shirts or polos in solid colors, and nice, clean loafers or sneakers.

• Casual: Put the T-shirts and hoodies away—you should look polished for your interview, even if it’s a casual environment. Choose comfortable khakis and collared shirts in neutral colors and clean, not-too-worn shoes.

A general tip is to keep it simple: Avoid wearing loud patterns, accessories like hats or sunglasses, or ultra-casual attire like hooded sweatshirts. Also, make sure you’re well groomed ahead of the interview—get your hair trimmed, tidy up any facial hair and ensure your fingernails are clean.

Women can also choose different attire based on work environments: 

• Professional or formal: Choose a more formal outfit for a professional or conservative office setting, such as a solid-color dress or a pantsuit, or a blazer and pencil skirt with a crisp collared blouse or silk shell. For footwear, choose closed-toe heels or flats.

• Business casual: You can take the same suit you’d wear for a more professional workplace but separate the suit pieces for a slightly less formal look. Pair suit pants with a blouse or soft sweater. Or go for a skirt topped with a casual jacket or cardigan. 

• Casual: If the environment is casual or involves manual labor, you can dress in clean separates, like dark pants and a collared shirt or sweater. Choose casual pieces you can dress up slightly.

Avoid heavy perfume and choose accessories and jewelry thoughtfully. The focus of the interview should be on your skills and competencies—not a distracting necklace or scent.

Whatever level of business attire you decide to wear, you can typically cover your bases with the following suggestions:

• Clothing with no lint, stains or wrinkles

• Dress pants with a jacket or sweater

• Button-up collared shirt or blouse

• Subtle jewelry or accessories

• Industry-appropriate footwear—avoid options like flip-flops and worn-out sneakers

Wearing the right outfit for your interview might play a role in landing the job. If you start by understanding a company’s culture, industry and dress code on an average workday, you can better choose what to wear to the interview.

Once you’re confident in your attire, it might be time to focus on other important aspects of your interview, like these tips for negotiating salary.