To Suit or Not to Suit? That Is the (Pre-interview) Question

This is a question we get all the time. I still remember having to scrape together a few bucks to buy a suit for my first interviews after college (we won’t talk about where I bought the suit!), but times were different then.

Times Have Changed But Expectations Still Matter

Back in …the year I was interviewing is not important… it was safe to make the assumption to wear a suit. In today’s business casual (at best) environment, however, it’s possible that your interviewer could be wearing a Yoda t-shirt, jeans and flip flops. If that’s the work environment you’re looking for, that could be an indicator of a great place for you to work. The real question is does that mean you should show up to the interview dressed that way too?

How To Choose What to Wear in An Interview

Our advice? Don’t guess, ask! If you are unsure, ask your recruiter or company point of contact what makes sense; they shouldn’t steer you wrong. Then wear what makes you feel like a million dollars and rock it out!

Showing up in your go-to super hero tee because that’s what people wear at the company–only to find yourself face-to-face with a future co-worker that would’ve appreciated the extra effort of a suit or at least a sport coat for the interview is not the “hey, I really care about getting a job with your company and I’m taking this process seriously” first impression you want to make.

Failing to dress to impress is a mistake that we have seen more than a few people make and that ends up costing them the job.

If a suit is going to be over the top for the occasion, defer to dressing one level up from your interview team. Making the mistake of dressing one level down can kill your mojo when you’re spending all of your time during the interview trying to ignore the awkward stares and disappointing glances from the people you’re there to impress.