What to Wear for Every Type of Interview
So you’ve landed the interview for your dream role (congrats!), groomed your résumé into pristine condition, and practiced answers to potential questions the interviewer might throw your way. Next, you'll have to pick out what to wear. It’s a tall order considering you need a look that strikes all the right notes for the job and company you’re interviewing at. You want to look as polished and prepped as you truly are and wear makes you feel like your absolute best self (because at the end of the day, confidence is your secret weapon).
Yet not all interview outfits are that simple. Knowing the role at hand and the culture of the company you're interviewing at is critical to putting together an appropriate look. To take a whole lot of stress out of your interview prep, we’ve put together outfits for every type of interview you, our readers, might encounter. From the buttoned-up finance job to the elusive fashion interview, below you’ll find what to wear to each to help you land the job (and look great doing it).
The Creative Interview
When applying for a creative role, let your personality and love for aesthetics shine through your look. Sticking with conservative cuts is always a safe bet while playing with color and pattern. We love an asymmetrically hemmed dress with a funky pair of earrings.
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The Law or Finance Interview
Law offices, banks, and the like are known to occupy the stricter side of the dress-code scale. For this type of interview, you need a look that is polished and smart. After all, the saying “dress for the job you want” is one that we couldn’t agree with more. Opt for a tailored black suit, polished heels (that you can still walk in), and a structured handbag.
The Fashion Interview
When interviewing for a position at a fashion company, you’ll want to show off your personal style and knowledge of the industry. Leave your overly trendy pieces at home and go for an off-beat combination of suiting separates that show your taste level.
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The Marketing Interview
For a marketing or sales job interview, opt for casual separates in crisp colorways. This will show your professionalism and ability to think creatively. Finish off the look with a fun pair of heels.
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The Tech or Startup Interview
Startup companies are known for their laid-back company culture, so a full suit might be too formal. A pair of tailored jeans can be swapped for trousers here (opt for a dark-wash pair) as long as the rest of the look is polished.
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Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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