Overall | Suit | Shirt | Tie | Pants | Shoes | Accessories | Grooming
Overall
Your appearance is important because it is the interviewer’s first impression of you.
- Be professional, neat, clean, and well-groomed
- Being overdressed is better than being underdressed
- Clothes should be clean and wrinkle-free
- Test-drive your outfit to ensure you are comfortable walking, sitting, standing
- Research the industry and company as some companies are more conservative
Suit
| Item | Advice | Example |
|---|
Style | - A single breasted suit is more appropriate than a double breasted suit
- Two or three button jacket with the bottom button unbuttoned
| "Understanding Common Suit Features" |
Color/Pattern | - Solid dark colors such as gray, navy or black are the best options for an interview
- Plaid, pinstripe or patterned suits are not interview appropriate
| "Understanding Common Suit Features" (bottom)
|
Fit | - Custom tailored suits are ideal, but in some cases hard to obtain last minute
- The back should lay flat and not pull or bunch
- Shoulder pads should line up with the edges your shoulders
- Sleeves are comfortable, not too tight or loose
- Cuffs should rest an half an inch above the wrist allowing a bit of your long sleeved dress shirt to show
| "How a Suit Should Fit" |
Shirt
| Item | Advice | Example |
|---|
Fit | - Long sleeved, collared shirts are a must
- Collar should fit your neck without being too tight or too loose
| "How a Shirt Should Fit" |
Color/Pattern
| - A solid, neutral color is best
- Solid white is the most common and safest choice
| "Understanding the Dress Shirt" |
Material | - A cotton material will allow you to breathe
| |
How to wear | | |
Tie
| Item | Advice | Example |
|---|
Style/Knot
| - Conservative is the way to go
- Keep the knot simple
| "Learn How to Tie a Tie" |
Color/Pattern | - A simple color or pattern to compliment the suit and shirt
- The tie should be a darker shade than the shirt
| "How to match shirt and tie patterns" |
Width/Length | - Width should not be too wide or skinny
- Length should not be too long or short
- The bottom tip of the tie should reach the belt/waistline
| "Necktie Length" |
Pants
| Item | Advice | Example |
|---|
Style
| - Pants are to be worn on the top of the hips
- Pleated or non-pleated, non-pleated is preferred
| "The Pleated vs. Plain-front debate" |
Color/Pattern | - Match the pants with the jacket
- A suit (jacket/pants) should be bought as a set whenever possible
| |
| Length/Fit | - The "break" of your pants is the crease that forms at the bottom of your pants when it reaches your shoes
- There should be some break but not too much
| "Take a Break" "How Pants Should Fit" |
Shoes
| Item | Advice | Example |
|---|
Color
| - Shoe color should coordinate with the suit
- Black or brown shoes are the most common
| "Matching Dress Shoes with Suits" |
Style | - Shoes should be clean and polished
| |
Socks | - Always wear dark dress socks
- Socks should match the general color of the shoe (ex. brown shoes = brown socks)
- Do not wear white socks with brown or black shoes
| |
Accessories
| Item | Advice | Example |
|---|
| Amount | - Accessories should be at a minimum
| |
Belt | - A belt to keep your pants at your hips
- Coordinate the color with your shoes
| "Top 10 Interview Dressing Tips For Men" #8 |
Watch | - Wear a watch if you have one
- Only wear a watch if you feel comfortable wearing it
- Make sure the style matches the outfit (not too casual like an athletic watch or something too fancy and distracting)
| "Top 10 Interview Dressing Tips For Men" #6 |
Portfolio | - A portfolio (leather or otherwise) is a must
- Bring extra copies of your resume in this portfolio
| |
Grooming