How should I dress to an interview?

Becuase of prior work experience in the professional dress retail sector, I continue to assist with Dress for Success seminars in the area. Working with local organizations and addressing career classes in high schools, this seems to be a very common question for young people. My advice is always the same: err on the side of conservative. The higher the position, or older you are, the attire usually changes to a dress suit. While in high school, most of your interviews may lend to the business casual attire that has already been suggested, but do your research as to what the environment of the workplace is and if a full suit is required even now, then either wear a basic colored suit or a blue blazer/dark pants combination. Shirt should always be a basic blue or white and a subtle patterned or plain tie. (For young women, simple skirt or pants/blouse or sweater or dress. Nothing overly short!) No loud jewelry or watches, hair should be simple and not styled in a distractive fashion, and dress shoes, or for young male teens, sometimes a simple brown boat shoe might work in the right enviroment and with khakis. And yes! Everything is ironed and clean! For young girls, no spiked heels. Maybe a simple pump or flats. TV may show people showing up in outlandish outfits, but in the real world, that doesn't work.
The idea is that you want to make a quick, positive impression. You never want your clothes to become the focal point and be a distraction to the interviewee. You want them to remember what you talk about, your experience, not have the lasting impression be the loud tie you wore or the fact there was too much product in your hair!!
As you get into college interviews in some schools, you will find this also important and depending on the school you may also need to research what is expected. One of my sons had to wear full suit attire for his music school interview.
Remember: simple, basic and subtle is best. And good luck!

Several great suggestions already. I'd also add that you can often get a glimpse of how the company presents itself by looking at the photos they put of their employees on their public website (if available). That might give you a hint. It won't be as reliable as asking the recruiter / hiring team. If they say something like "business casual", that usually means that men ought to wear a conservative button-down shirt, relatively conservative slacks, a leather belt, and black or brown leather dress shoes. If it's "business formal", that means a suit and tie. It's generally reasonable to dress slightly more formally than the people you plan to meet, just to make sure you don't come off as sloppy. Don't forget to clean your interview outfit ahead of time, and keep it relatively wrinkle-free!

Your best bet is to go business casual. This means wearing slacks, belt and a button down shirt - tucked in. You might also want to ask the recruiter what the dress attire is like at the office.

I agree with Cynthia above on the standard being business casual. Best practice though, would be to reach out to your Recruiter or contact and ask them for the dress attire because it differs by company/role- i.e. a tech start-up may be dress casual, but applying for a role in a banking or finance - it may be better suited for a blazer as well and a your Recruiter would know best.

Dress to impress! You will want to find something professional that you feel confident in. Do not wait till the last minute to find an outfit, start preparing as soon as you get the call for the interview. Make sure youre confortable and look your best. If you are on a tight budget go to clearance sections or a thrift store. Try on everything before you buy it so youll know for sure if it fits right. First impression is everything, but doesnt have to cost a lot as long as you look professional, confident and comfortable.

Dress nice such as a business suit or dress with a nice jacket and dress shoes. Don't dress like you are going out to a club or going to a party . You don't want people thinking " OMG! Are you really going to a job interview like that?

Dress professionally no matter what your interview is for. It is important to also be comfortable so don't wear the 6in heels if you can't walk in them or the pants that come in a little too tight around the waist. An interview presents enough stress don't add to it by wearing something completely uncomfortable.

You always dress for success. You don't have to wear a suit but a nice tie and button up shirt with dress slacks. For ladies pant suits are nice. Do not come to an interview like you are going to a club. Always be professional. Dress for the job you want to have, not just the one you have now

When preparing for an interview, always remember to wear something that is professional. Depending on the type of position, business casual coule be okay. Look towards a suit, or a long sleeve shirt with long pants. ALWAYS wear closed toe shoes. If you choose to wear a shirt, make sure it's a decent length(perferrably to the knees). And always have on panty hose. Makes for a more professional look.
For the ladies, wear a top that covers your chest. And for those ladies who wear makeup, go for the natural look. Never want to show up wearing too much. That isn't professional at all! For ladies and gentlemen, if you happen to have tattoos. Make sure you ALWAYS cover them up. Make sure your well groomed,hair,clothes,nails,perfume/cologne ect...

Great question, when going on an interview you always, always, always want to make a good impression that means yes your clothing needs to be clean and pressed(iron). Wearing wrinkle clothing says "if I don't care enough about the way I look, I don't care whether you hire me or not." Males, the business suit (black, navy or grey), white shirt and tie and SHOES NO SNEAKERS or WORK-BOOTS. Ladies business suit, black, navy or grey black or navy shoes and yes pantyhose. Ladies no purses. You want to carry either a portifiolo or a brief case, put your credentials in the brief case. Keep accessories at a minimum, a watch, modest earrings. I hope this helps.

I have never dressed anything but business-professional in an interview, but it all depends on the culture of the company you're working for. Most companies would like to see you in business professional but knowing the culture of the company is a great way to show you've done your research. I wouldn't wear any loud colors to the point that it is distracting to the interviewer but something subtly different from everyone else can make you stand out from the crowd. All-in-all, it's really about how you present yourself in how you answer the questions-professionally. Your attitude should reflect itself in your outfit because it is the first thing anyone sees from you, and you want that to be a positive that sticks.

When preparing for an interview you want to dress the part of the position that you want. You dont want to be to dressy if its a casual dressed company, and you dont want to under dress if its a business attire company. Make sure you research the company and see what the dress code is. Go off of that with a little extra you added to it. Make sure that whatever you decide to wear that you be confident.
Best of luck to you.

For an interview you would want to make sure your pressed to impress. make sure your wrinkle free
and clean cut/brushed.
apperiance shouldnt be the most important thing in the world but in the business industry it is.
the more put togther you look the more put together you'll feel and your confidence will show!
light makeup for gals, fresh face for guys. what ever you wear, dont forget a smile!

I would opt for a business suit,with a crisp white or neutral colored shirt and polished shoes. A dress may be suitable as well ,as long as it is length appropriate .

When dressing for an interview you always want to dress as a professional. This lets interviewer know you are taking the opportunity seriously and "putting your best foot forward". Any interview can be a life changing event so you always want to give it that respect to be dressed preped and ready for the occasion.

You have to dress for the job you want, even if it is simple. Some people have different financial situations but looking clean is big. Looking up some of the companys information is also very good, get a feild of what they like and how their upper management dresses.

Dress to impress. First impressions are always the best. Carry extra resumes if have some work experience. Be confident and proud.

Always dress in a professional manner knowing that the first impression is everything. Make sure that your perfume or cologne isn't too strong. Walk in with confidence! Good luck!

Be sure to test your interview apparel out in advance. You never want to walk into an interview in a new outfit not realizing that it wrinkles almost instantly or that it fits differently after a short period of time.

Try to stay away from bold accessories like a flashy belt-buckle or earrings. You want your interviewer to be focused on what you are saying rather than what you are wearing.

Good luck!

Hello Alexander,
I love your question and wish that more candidates would think about their appearance before heading to their interview. You only get one chance to make a first impression so your appearance is important in putting your best self forward. Do some research on the company beforehand to find out what their culture is like and gear your attire accordingly, if you are unsure it is always best to err on the side of caution and choose business professional or business causal depending on the position you are interviewing for, personally, I would prefer to see someone overdressed vs. underdressed, it shows me you put some thought into it and you are serious about the job. Do a google search for Professional Business Attire if you need to get some ideas, there are plenty of pictures and articles that I’m sure you will find helpful.
Good luck in your job search.

If you are going into nursing, DO NOT wear scrubs to the interview. Even though this will be your uniform, you need to show them your professional put together side, not what you wear to work every day. Tina is also right about the shoes. A nursing assistant was recently denied a job at our facility because she wore a mini skirt, high pumps and a shirt with a decent amount of cleavage showing. You don't want you to look like you're going into a nightclub, whichever career path you are interviewing for. Cover up any visible tattoos and remove any earrings you have (especially facial ones).

Hello Alexander,
My opinion is you should always dress for the position you want! Even if you have to make your way up to the top its always best to strive to be the best!

.When dressing for an interview you always want to dress business casual. Keep in mind they use to be certain colors you were suppose to wear for both men and women when going to an interview. (Blue and Gray) You don’t have to follow that rule but always good to know. If you can afford it get yourself 2 suits just for interviews purposes so you can switch around. Please make sure all clothes are iron out, not a lot of jewelry, arrive 15mins before you interview and be sure not to warm cologne or perfume. You never know who maybe be allergic to it. Most importantly no tattoos or nose earrings. Good Luck with your interview and I hope I was able to give you some points.

I would suggest a business suit at all times. Men a three piece suit very classy solid or small pin stripe color. Dress shoes of course. Clean or neatly shaven. Ladies Dress suit or with slacks. closed toe shoes reasonable heal. Light to litle make up remember job interview not the club. Last if your going to wear a perfume very light same with the men.