What not to wear to a job interview in 2019: 13 career-killing clothes and styles
- The days of absolutely having to wear a suit or dress to a job interview are over, but that doesn’t mean anything goes
- Yoga pants, wrinkled shirts or ripped denim, for example, shouldn’t be in your interview wardrobe even for the most casual workplaces
Your interview outfit should be professional and well put together. It won’t necessarily be the most stylish outfit you’ll ever wear, but it should communicate confidence and a good work ethic.
The days of absolutely having to wear a suit or dress to a job interview are over, says Marc Cenedella, CEO of Ladders, a US-based careers site for six-figure jobs. Cenedella suggests reaching out to your recruiter, company contact or the HR team to get a sense for what people at the company typically wear to work.
“You can always be direct and ask, ‘Will I feel out of place in formal business attire?’” Cenedella says. “If they answer ‘not at all’, you know it’s expected.”
Regardless of the typical level of dress in the office, some decorum during the interview is still necessary. Yoga pants, wrinkled shirts or ripped denim shouldn’t be in your interview wardrobe even for the most casual workplaces.
Here are 13 things you definitely shouldn’t wear to a job interview:
1: Anything that’s wrinkled or wrinkle-prone
Ironing your interview clothes the night before is non-negotiable.
“Make sure it’s clean, unwrinkled and that you feel that it presents you in the best possible light,” says Betsy Aimee, a digital content producer who writes on workplace fashion and entrepreneurship.
“People make an assumption about you before you sit down in the seat and start talking.”
2: Something that doesn’t quite fit you or is stained
That dress that’s just a little too tight? Those shoes that have salt stains? You want to wear your best, most-polished clothing to the interview so you can feel confident from the get-go.
Don’t start off on the wrong foot with clothing that doesn’t feel comfortable or look presentable.
In fact, rolling up to the office in a suit or skirt suit when everyone else is wearing jeans could hurt you in the interview process. It shows you’re not a cultural fit for the company.
“Some of the most common mistakes people make when dressing for an interview are following old and outdated advice or not taking the time to do their research and ask questions about the company culture ahead of time,” Cenedella says.
3: Anything that’s too trendy
Unless you’re interviewing for a job in the fashion industry, you’re probably going to want to keep your outfit on the conservative side.
Opt for neutral or earth tones, simple make-up and jewellery, and quiet patterns, the experts advise.
4: Jeans and a T-shirt
Even if you’re interviewing with Mark Zuckerberg, you shouldn’t wear jeans and a T-shirt.
Granted, if you know the whole office is ultra-casual, you shouldn’t show up in a suit. But you also shouldn’t be quite as low-key as the rest of them.
“You go in the middle,” Aimee says. “You’re not as casual as everyone else is, but you’re also not too formal.”
If you know everyone is in flip-flops, opt for baseline casual: dark denim and a nice blouse or shirt.
5: Yoga pants or other gym clothes
6: Outlandish make-up or jewellery
Pachter suggests a light touch with your hair, nails and make-up. It’s not the time to rock your purple lipstick and super-long acrylics.
She adds that men might consider a nice watch and simple cufflinks.
7: Loud patterns or crazy colours
The experts suggest leaning toward quiet colours: navy, black, grey or brown work well.
8: Sandals and slides are a major no
Even if it’s a casual office, you will want to go a notch or two above what everyone else is wearing, Aimee says.
Opt for fancy sneakers, loafers or flats if you think dress shoes aren’t right for the company.
9: A crazy tie or a black tie
Navy, red, grey or a pattern of these shades are safer options, the experts say. Black ties should only be worn for black-tie events.
10: Visible underwear
Neither gender should show underwear, but they should wear underwear.
Now is not the time for your coolest sneakers or your D-ring cloth belt. Even if it’s a super casual office, men should stick to a leather belt or more upscale sneakers. Don’t look like you could go for a jog.
11: Your flashiest nose piercing
Again, err towards the conservative. While many companies these days allow piercings of all kinds, stick to as few as possible during the interview if you’re not sure of the policy.
12: Ripped or light-wash jeans
Jeans are common in casual offices, but usually black jeans are the most acceptable. Don’t go with the most casual wash and cut for the job interview, or you’ll appear unprofessional.
13: Something that doesn’t make you feel awesome, confident and ready for anything
If you feel stifled by having to wear a suit for a job interview, it might be a sign that the company’s environment isn’t a fit for you.
“Let your personality shine through,” Aimee says. “If you’re interviewing for a job and you feel the attire is off-putting to you, that’s a signifier that the job is not a good cultural fit for you.”
