Those of us who can remember the global financial crisis of 2008 will recall how, for a time, the jobs market was tougher than we’d ever experienced. Simply getting an interview was something for which you’d bide your time over weeks and months, applying for roles that were ever increasingly less and less relevant to your experience. Over the last decade, things have improved. And then the pandemic of 2020 happened. Jobs are still out there, but there’s already a feeling of 2008 about this new decade. While we can’t make jobs out of thin air, we can make sure we dress the part when opportunities do arise.
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Suited and Booted
In some industries, you won’t be expected to wear a dry-cleaned suit and a pair of well-polished shoes on a daily basis. In these roles, you will likely instead be required to wear smart-casual clothing like a cute blazer. This can lead people to believe that they can turn up wearing casual clothes for the interview, as a sort of show of appreciation for the dress code. However, tread lightly. Turning up for an interview in clothes that don’t look presentable can give the appearance that you are not interested in the role, and that you are only there on the off chance that you might get the job but you’re not bothered either way. This probably isn’t the impression you wish to make.
Should you therefore wear a suit and shoes? Not necessarily. As mentioned, it depends on the industry. Why not begin your potential future career at the firm with which you have the interview by sending a polite email requesting information on dress code policy and whether there are any expectations other than to wear a suit and shoes – in brief, offer to wear full business attire, and wait for a response that could indicate otherwise.
The ‘Standard’ Option
If you are unsure about what to wear for your job interview, and if you do not receive a response to your email asking for clarification, there is a standard approach that can tick most boxes and generally won’t let you down – dress how you would expect waiting staff in a restaurant to be dressed (minus the apron!).
A shirt or blouse mixed with trousers or a skirt is a stripped-down form of the full-on tailored blazer and necktie that you would otherwise wear if you thought it was required for the role, and it won’t look too much if a smart-casual look were expected of you. This look says “I’ve just come from a meeting with a client” and will suit you fine in most situations.
We hope this has helped you decide what to wear for a job interview!
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