5 Things to Consider for Your Appearance in an Interview

Appearance is crucial in an interview. Yes, even Zoom interviews. Our appearance is one of the first things an interviewer will notice, closely followed by a handshake and eye contact. If you’re like me in college, people may have told you to “dress professionally” for an interview – but what does that actually mean? 

There are many uncontrollable circumstances in an interview (the interview, the location, the questions, etc.), we should control what we can. 

Here are 5 things to consider the next time you prepare for an upcoming interview. 

Re-consider the black suit. 

This goes for both men and women. Unless it’s a LBD or tuxedo, black usually can be too harsh for someone’s skin tone, look frumpy if the piece doesn’t fit well, or , worst of all, blends right in with everyone else wearing a black suit. 

When I was a college student, I went to a career fair and decided to wear a red, black, and cream houndstooth jacket. I stood out among my peers that wore similar, ill-fitting suits. Another time I wore red pants with a navy jacket. The interview went successfully and the interviewer remembered me as “the girl in the red pants.” 

Slightly changing up the tone and color of an interview outfit can go a long way. You don’t have to wear red pants, but you can wear beautiful tonal browns, navy, cream, jewel tones, or other neutrals that elevate your appearance. 

Unkept hair is unacceptable. 

This seems intuitive, but it happens more than you might think. I have personally interviewed young professionals whose hair is so messed up it looks like they just rolled out of bed. This is especially important to remember for remote interviews.  

Men: Even if you normally wear a casual, “messy” look, it’s worth adding some product to keep your hair looking clean and professional. Just be careful not to use too much product so it doesn’t look like you just jumped in a pool!

Women: If you get nervous and start playing with your hair, do not wear your hair down during an interview. This will cause distraction for both parties. Rather, keep your hair looking polished in a clean ponytail or bun. Wearing your hair naturally can be beautiful, just be mindful of nervous ticks when wearing it down. 

Wear something that stands out. 

Approach with caution. I don’t mean put on a sequin dress or obnoxious tie. But find sophisticated, professional pieces that can really enhance your look and help you stand out among the other candidates. This could mean a cool pair of glasses, an intricate watch, patterned heels, or a two-toned sheath dress.  

Know the general work environment of the company you’re interviewing for. 

When one of my friends was interviewing for a new job, she researched the company she was interviewing with and discovered they had a casual work environment (employees were allowed to wear jeans to work). This knowledge influenced my friend’s decision on what to wear to the interview. Rather than wearing a very business professional dress and jacket, she chose to wear a slightly more casual shirt and skirt with heels. It made everyone feel more relaxed in the interview and she ultimately got the job. 

Note: As an interviewee, you should never be the least dressed in the room. If you can’t determine what the work environment is, or are unsure of how to dress in the interview, always defer to dressing business professional. 

At the end of the day, the interviewer is assessing how you will appear to colleagues or represent the brand to external audiences. If you are prepared, your interview should go well. Don’t let one of the few things you can control go by the wayside. Your appearance matters, and dedicating time to find the right pieces for your interview is worth it.