2021 wasn’t a great year for employers in terms of retention. Somewhere around 47 million people left their jobs.
Some left for standard reasons, such as no options for promotion or a bad fit with the company culture. Many left because their jobs simply didn’t pay enough for what they were asking from employees in a pandemic.
Some of the people who quit low-end jobs skilled up for better jobs. Of course, now, they’re faced with the problem of how to dress for an interview in a different kind of industry.
If that’s you, keep reading for some interview wardrobe and interview fashion tips.
Do Some Research
Before you get too far down the rabbit hole of picking your outfit for the interview, it’s worth taking the time to do a little research. Many companies have official dress codes that you can find online. If the company you’re interviewing with has a dress code, follow it.
If not, see if you can track down a few employees and ask if there is an unofficial dress code that you should follow. For example, if you’re applying for a programming or web development job, there is often an expectation of more casual dress even in interviews.
Keep It Neutral
Whether you’re opting for business professional or business casual, stick with neutral colors. Patterns and bright colors work fine for daily wear, but they can also prove a distraction.
The last thing you want in an interview is for your interviewer to focus on the pattern of your tie instead of the content of your answers. The good news is that neutral colors work regardless of the types of interviews you go on.
Jewelry
Jewelry is a bit hit or miss when it comes to interviews. As a general rule, adopt a less-is-more approach. This is especially true for men.
Try to keep it to one or two pieces of tasteful jewelry beyond a wedding ring, if you have one. For women, this might mean a necklace and a bracelet.
For men, you can probably get away with a bracelet, assuming it’s not too flashy. You might find a Viking arm ring sold here that hits the right note.
Keep It Current
Even business professional fashion evolves over time. For example, tie widths change almost every year, getting narrower or wider. You want a tie that fits with the current trend.
The cuts of suits also evolve over time. Assume anything more than five years old is out of date, at least for interviewing.
How to Dress for an Interview? With Consideration
The problem of how to dress for an interview is actually several problems. The kind of job you want will play a role in appropriate interview attire.
Show up in a suit for a tech startup, and you’ll probably send the wrong message. This is why you need a bit of research.
Fortunately, there are a few pieces of advice that always work. Keep your colors neutral, your jewelry conservative, and your style choices current.
Looking for more career tips? Check out our Business section for more posts.
