Got a job interview for your dream job and you don’t know how to dress? Is wearing a suit old-fashioned? Is my skirt too short? Wearing sneakers is okay? Does my tattoos suck? So many legitimate questions that you will surely ask yourself as the D-Day approaches. Even if it is legally prohibited, in fact the dress always makes the monk and the first impression it really counts. Better to have the right dress codes to put the recruiter in his pocket and optimize his chances of getting the job. We give you advice so as not to make a mistake on D-Day.
To avoid the stress of fashion mistake during the job interview but also during integration into the company: it is essential to know how to dress for your interview. For this it is preferable to know the clothing customs of the company in question but also to know the different clothing styles that can be adopted during the interview and then when integrating into the company.
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The perfect outfit for your job interview
The perfect interview outfit for a woman can vary from one industry or profession to another. If in doubt, if you do not know the codes of the sector of activity for which you are applying, above all do not try to be original. The rule according to which “Each sector has its own look and its codes” remains true. Also you can try to keep up with fashion trends and to know what’s fashionable nowadays.
How to dress for an interview in the banking / insurance / finance industry?
To apply in investment banking, insurance or finance, you will never do task with a skirt or pants suit or with the dress / small jacket combo. Go cross-legged if you really feel comfortable with it. Otherwise, go for a dress.
How to dress for an interview in the construction / construction / real estate sector?
Above all, you shouldn’t appear too dressed up. The shortcuts are unfortunately very quick. So if you show up with an ultra feminine outfit, jewelry and strong makeup for a field position, you will be out of step with the image of the profession. Play sober with pants, kitten heels and a jacket.
How to dress for an interview in the service sector?
Let go, but stay groomed. Without turning to sportswear, come as you are. For example in slim pants with a pretty blouse. For more balance, add a jacket. A dress in a beautiful material, neither tight nor provocative, covering the shoulders can also do the trick.
How to dress for an interview in the public service?
Sobriety is essential. Here again, we play it sober. Avoid flowery or colorful dresses. In the public sector, a super classic solid dress will do just fine. Exit also ultra flashy makeup and too red varnish. No bling bling under the gold of the Republic.
How to dress for an interview in the IT / telecoms / web / communication sector?
To dress well for a job interview, in the IT / telecoms / web / communication sector, it is important not to confuse cool and scruffy. You can also give free rein to more fantasy with more colors and prints, for example for a summer dress. Side length, above or below the knee. The important thing is, once seated, not to constantly pull on her dress for fear of revealing her privacy. You can also dare the modern pantsuit.
And for a creative job, what dress to wear when you are a woman?
For a creative job, nothing prevents you from getting out of the nails with more flashy colors. Wearing impeccable sneakers is also possible. Be careful, even if the sector of activity is more “cool”, it is important to take care of your image. Leave the jeans in the closet, they convey an overly casual image.
How to dress for an interview
Obviously it’s the CV that counts but, anyway, you don’t dress in any way when you apply for the job of your dreams. There are certain codes to follow. To make your life easier and take the stress out of you, here are all the fashion tips on how to choose the right outfit for the day and some examples on how to dress for a job interview in three steps.
Free style
Today, who does not know the famous slogan “come as you are? “. The dress style “Free” or “Casual” perfectly represents this motto: this dress custom is generally part of a global approach of the company where its actors are encouraged to focus on the missions rather than on the work environment.
Rarely widespread in “traditional” or “historic” companies, this freedom of choice of dress code will be found mainly within the world of IT and IT in general, the associative sectors or the arts sectors. and spectacle.
Casual style
Even if “Casual” could be translated in French as “casual” or “relax”, it is very different from the “free” or “casual” style seen previously. Indeed in the middle of the company, the style “Casual” indicates especially a dress code more relaxed compared to the more traditional suit / tie. It is also common for companies to adopt a more flexible dress code on Fridays: this day is moreover commonly called ” casual friday ” or ” friday wear.
Strict style
Even today, there are still many clichés about the clothing styles adopted within companies. In business, banking, insurance, we tend to imagine that all employees wear suits, put on ties and wear immaculately polished shoes.
The traditional costume is still very widespread in many companies, so we can only advise you to be well informed when making an appointment for your job interview on the dress code to adopt, and if it is appropriate custom to attend the interview in costume. Finding out about what to wear will never be frowned upon by a recruiter: on the contrary, it denotes an excellent sense of anticipation, curiosity and the ability to adapt to the business environment.
Missteps to avoid
Even if from your research, the dress code of the company you are applying for seems rather casual, that’s no reason to come on D-Day in ripped jeans and a hoodie. You have to stay professional!
In any case, whatever the sector for which you are applying, for women, avoid wearing a mini-skirt or a plunging neckline, too much makeup, chipped varnish or too conspicuous jewelry. For both sexes, to avoid making a bad impression, do not wear clothes that are wrinkled, see-through, stained or have holes, hoodies, joggers, shorts or shirts with printed patterns. Do not abuse the perfume and opt for materials that do not accentuate the effect of perspiration. As for the shoes, forget the high heels or the new shoes if you are not comfortable, the sneakers and of course, the slides! Finally, as with the rest of your outfit, your shoes must of course be perfectly clean.
Tips for how to dress to a job interview
At last! After countless cover letters and CVs sent out, you finally landed a job interview. You are well prepared and well rested. In short: ready to make a good first impression. But… what are you going to wear? Are not two-piece suits and suits completely outdated? And what will we think of your sneakers?
Do your homework
Check beforehand if the job posting or company website mentions a dress code. And adapt your outfit for the interview accordingly.
No clothing instructions in sight? Try to identify the image that the company intends to convey: is the level of language used on the site rather formal and professional? Is the presentation sober? In this case, the dress code will be formal. Is the language, on the other hand, lighter? Do photos of a corporate party that got out of hand brighten up the Facebook page? The corporate culture is certainly more relaxed.
The position to which you are applying is also important: prefer a formal dress for management functions or those where contacts with customers are frequent. If this is an in-house office function, you can afford to dress a little more relaxed. The same goes for a worker function. Besides, they will usually wear a uniform.
Choose your style
The three most common dress code categories are:
●business formal (banks, insurance, consultancy, legal sector, executive and management functions, etc.): this is the most formal dress code. For these gentlemen: a black, dark gray or dark blue tailored suit with jacket, shirt and tie. For the ladies: dark suit and a neutral blouse.
●business casual (administrative, marketing, communication, sales, HRM, IT, technical functions): formal clothing with a relaxed touch. An example: a polo shirt or shirt (with or without a tie) and dress pants for men. For women: a dress, a pantsuit, pants or a skirt, a blouse and a sober sweater.
●(smart) casual (education, healthcare sector, hospitality industry, creative professions): an everyday style of clothing, but neat. Basically, you can wear whatever you want. A nice t-shirt and sneakers: why not? But don’t go too far: other than for a job interview for a bartender job at the beach, shorts, flip flops, and Hawaiian shirts won’t belong anywhere.
Use common sense
Above all, pay attention to a well-groomed appearance. After all, you want recruiters to remember you as a candidate with multiple resources, not as a funny looking (too) exuberant coconut!
What about tattoos, piercings and other religious clothing in all of this?
When it comes to tattoos, especially, Randstad’s survey reveals that they are better tolerated than 10 years ago (2007). Some 64 percent of workers surveyed say their company does not see them as a problem. This figure was still only 49 percent in 2007. Companies, on the other hand, seem less favorable to piercings, even if they are, once again, more tolerant than 10 years ago: 54% against 43 in 2007 A tightening is to be noted in terms of religious clothing: 34 percent against 36 in 2007.