How to dress for an interview for a woman and a man: what suits the employer in winter and summer?

Collect information about the company

When your resume has been responded to and invited for an interview, go to the company’s website and find out more about it.
According to statistics, more than 80% of job seekers carefully consider their outfit for an interview. But this does not mean at all that their appearance will be appropriate within the chosen company.

In order not to make a mistake with clothes, look on the company website for photographs of employees and pictures from events. Pay attention to how they are dressed. Still, the appearance of bank employees will distinguish them from art gallery employees.

This will help form an understanding of what will be expected of you, whether there is a dress code and how strict it is.

Recommendations for women

Many models of clothing of various textures, colors, and styles have been created for women. And such a wide range makes choosing difficult.

Let's talk about how a woman should dress for an interview. It is recommended to follow a number of rules.

Clothes length

If you want to get a job at a prestigious company, then don't even think about wearing a miniskirt or short dress to an interview.

A vulgar appearance will definitely not help you on your way to getting your dream position. And even if you are accepted, bad rumors will circulate among your colleagues.

IMPORTANT! The best option: skirts and dresses to the knee. They look beautiful and appropriate within a business style, enhance status and are ideal for a business meeting.

Color selection

You should not combine several bright colors at the same time. The image should contain 2-3 colors.

ADVICE! It is desirable that they be calm and natural, not irritating to the eyes.

At the same time, it is important to feel comfortable. If you love bright colors, don't force yourself into tight limits. Limit yourself to one bright accent color, and let the rest be calm.

Shoes

Particular attention should be paid to shoes. This is an important element of the image that employers always pay attention to:

shoes should look good, be clean and tidy;
As part of a business style, it is better to give preference to shoes or boots with medium heels.

ATTENTION! It is worth giving up shoes with high heels, these will look out of place and will give the impression that you are a frivolous and frivolous person.

The same goes for sneakers. Although these shoes are very practical and comfortable, and the combination of a skirt and sports shoes is at the peak of popularity, such a decision is unlikely to please the employer.

Most of them are quite conservative and prefer the classics.

Accessories

Accessories will help your look sparkle with new colors. At the same time, they should look restrained.

ADVICE! You can complement the look with the following accessories: a neat ring, a discreet chain, a brooch or a thin strap.

Should be excluded:

massive jewelry;
bright, catchy jewelry;
shiny belts;
piercing

Hairstyle

For an interview, it is recommended to have a beautiful, discreet hairstyle. A high ponytail would look appropriate within an office style.

No carelessness in hairstyle. Buns and tousled braids are options for everyday life.

Makeup and manicure

Nails should look neat and well-groomed. There should be no dirt underneath them. Also, an abundance of hangnails will not make the best impression.

BY THE WAY! The employer will certainly pay attention to your hands. Ideally, cover the nail plate with a clear or nude polish.

As for manicure, wine lipstick, black eyeliner around the eyes, contouring - all this is not appropriate for going to an interview.

At the same time, completely giving up cosmetics will make many women feel insecure. Therefore, the ideal compromise is natural makeup in soothing colors.

Choosing an image depending on the time of year

The season plays a big role when you choose what to wear to an interview. What's the best way to dress for the weather outside? We bring to your attention tips from stylists.

Winter

To make it easier for you to choose an image and dress correctly, follow the recommendations.

Wear plain warm tights without a pattern in dark colors. Choose clothes that suit the time of year. No short sleeves.
A warm midi dress in neutral colors is ideal for an interview. A model with short sleeves is also acceptable if you wear a blouse or turtleneck underneath. A wool trouser suit will look elegant and sophisticated.
Don't refuse to wear a headdress for fear of ruining your hairstyle. You risk freezing, which will not make you look better at the interview.

In winter, you can complement the look with gloves and a scarf. By the way, you might find this article about what to wear to the office in winter useful.

Summer

Even in the summer, it is customary to wear flesh-colored tights for interviews. It is advisable to choose matte tights. Young girls who may not know this feature of business etiquette should pay special attention to this rule.

IMPORTANT! Classic pumps will go perfectly with your summer look. Open-toed shoes and sneakers are not allowed.

Here are some more tips:

It would be appropriate to go to an interview in a business dress that fits your figure or a “shirt” style (with covered shoulders and back).
A light, laconic blouse with short sleeves and a cotton skirt are also suitable.
Let's say a business suit in light colors. But watch the density of the fabric. It is important that it does not show through.

We gave similar advice in an article on the topic: what to wear to the office in the summer.

Off-season

The perfect time to play with a variety of shades. You can dress in standard colors or choose more interesting options, examples:

emerald;
plum;
Marsala;
chocolate.

If you prefer a bright shade, then you should abandon elements of clothing with a complex cut and accent accessories.

IMPORTANT! A knee-length business dress in combination with a jacket, belted with a belt, will look stylish.

Shoes must have medium heels. On cool days, a turtleneck made of high-quality fabric will replace a blouse.

Dress code is a pass to the world of high-paying work

Do not underestimate appearance; clothes contribute to the formation of the first impression of a person, which is the most lasting. It will have a significant impact on the choice of employer in the future. Therefore, in order to get a job with a high salary, it is not enough to be a good specialist, you need to dress correctly.

There are several general tips on what to wear to an interview. It all depends on the organization, company, and the specifics of their activities:

In a company focused on creative work, a woman can wear simple things, but create a non-standard color composition from them. For example, wear a white blouse with a simple pattern, a dark, straight skirt and bright shoes. In this case, the color of the shoes should not be from a palette of warm tones. It is advisable to take with you a bag decorated with a non-standard, but not very catchy design. This concept will highlight the candidate’s creativity. A woman over 40 can shift the emphasis to the lower part - wear a long skirt, which will create a contrast with the formal top. A young girl can afford to dress in underground style, but it should be discreet.
Companies that do not involve working with people do not require a strict dress code. In this case, you can dress in your usual style, which will allow you to feel comfortable in the heat and cold. This could be a combination of a cardigan skirt or jacket. It would also be a good idea to wear a dress. It must be chosen based on the characteristics of the figure, so that problem areas are hidden and strengths are moderately emphasized. In autumn, you can use the classic scheme: a light blouse, a pencil skirt and a beige trench coat.
An interview for a management position in a large company or bank requires strict business classics:

Blouse.
A shirt of a discreet color.
Business suit. By the way, we talked about how to choose a business suit for a woman in the corresponding article.
Black pencil skirt.
Glasses with simple lenses in neat frames.
Handbag.

You may be interested in: Who are the self-employed citizens here - come out of the “shadow” and pay taxes!

It wouldn’t hurt to dilute such dryness with accessories, wear jewelry, a scarf. If the area of activity of the employing company does not fall under any of the listed areas, you must dress in a strict classic style. A black business trouser suit, a white blouse, and dark mid-heeled shoes are an option for all occasions.

Recommendations for men

Now let’s find out what representatives of the stronger sex should wear to an interview. To successfully create an image for an interview, follow the recommendations of stylists:

Costume . It is advisable to give preference to the classics and choose a two-piece suit. Optimal colors are dark blue or dark gray.
Shirt . Should fit well. Styles with short sleeves are excluded. Give preference to neutral tones.
Socks . Don't experiment with colors or choose socks with prints. It is best to wear a new pair in black.
Tie . A plain cotton item in red or blue tones is ideal.
Belt . It is best that the color of the belt matches the color of the shoes. Among the materials, it is worth giving preference to leather. Classic model with standard buckle.
Accessories . A piercing would look extremely inappropriate in a business attire. You can leave your wedding ring on your hands; other rings are not recommended.
Briefcase . It will allow you to look more status and serious in the eyes of the employer. Put a notepad and pen there.

Tips for women

Applicants should not particularly focus on external attractiveness or emphasize sexuality. Image makers claim that a skirt length to the middle or just below the knee is most optimal for creating a business image.

A suit with a skirt is superior to a trouser suit . Women wearing a skirt are perceived as more competent and balanced. A blazer looks good for an interview.

Tights should only be flesh-colored. Desirable in any season, excluding extreme above-zero temperatures. A blouse, blouse, shirt with long sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, pastel or white will look good.

Accessories include a string of beads or a small pendant, a chain, earrings, a watch, a wedding ring, and a neat handbag. Decorations should not be too bright, large or numerous. Several rings, bracelets, sunglasses, headbands, and hair bands are not acceptable.

How to dress for a summer interview as a woman photo:

If you are applying for a creative job

Creative work leaves you without a strict dress code. As mentioned above, it is important to ask how other company employees dress, so as not to be the “black sheep”.

So what should you wear to the interview in this case? Tips are given below.

First of all, you are judged by your appearance:

Recruiters may not have much time to learn about your qualifications in detail.
But a boring and “standard” appearance can prevent you from seeing creativity in you.
Play with textures, show that you have taste. However, it is important not to overdo it.

If everyone in the team wears loose sweatshirts and jeans, and you prefer a smart look, this will also not work in your favor.

ADVICE! You need to take the business style as a basis, but modernize it a little, play with interesting accessories, and play with colors.

Short skirts and transparent fabrics are still prohibited. Typically, specialists from this field try to create “their own” style, so their images rarely look like a uniform.

Interview in winter: how best to dress

Every woman strives to look the most attractive and respectable when applying for a job. Difficulties usually arise when the first meeting with a potential employer occurs during the cold season. There is a need to maintain an attractive appearance without making a large number of mistakes, so as not to spoil the first impression and avoid awkwardness.

The key to success in any business is thorough preparation, so it is advisable to know in advance the dress code of the company where the interview is being held, which will immediately solve half the problems. It is important to note that you should not rely on the appearance of the company’s young and active employees, or on pictures from the main website - it is unlikely that the rest of the work team and management go to work in the same style.

In winter, it can be difficult to choose the appropriate outfit for an interview. A woman has to combine comfortable and warm clothes, and at the same time try to be beautiful. It would be inappropriate to come to an interview in a natural fur coat or a warm down jacket, so as not to look too provocative or funny. The main condition when choosing outerwear is that it must simultaneously have a presentable and modest appearance, which is quite difficult to achieve.

Often a problem arises with a headdress, but you should not completely abandon it. Of course, he can ruin the hairstyle, but it will be much worse to appear in the office of a potential boss with a red face from the cold, since the decision was made not to even wear a hood. A beautiful and warm scarf will be a good and comfortable alternative to a hat. A high-quality down product will not spoil your hair and will keep you warm. It is worth noting that the fair sex looks more feminine in a headscarf.

As a last resort, you can always order a taxi and come to the office by car, which by the way will protect you from the risk of getting dirty in public transport. In winter, it is worth using a taxi, even if on ordinary days a woman prefers not to travel by this type of transport.

During an interview, the main goal is to try to create with your image the impression of a serious person who understands the meaning of the word “appropriateness.” But many women, on the contrary, try to attract the attention of a potential employer or even shock him in some way. To do this, they create complex hairstyles on their heads and apply too intense makeup. It is best to limit styling if the hair is short or medium length, or collect long hair in a neat bun, fixing it with hairspray.

Clothes must be appropriate for the season - be warm, so that the boss does not get the impression that a naive and childish girl is sitting in front of him who is trying to attract male attention. Any normal director, even if he is a ladies' man, always selects staff based on professional qualities, not appearance. It is recommended to avoid short sleeves and skirts, thin tights and other attributes of clothing for walking in the warm season. It is worth noting that tights should not only be warm, but also without elaborate patterns or other frivolities. The main condition is that shoes and tights must be compatible, for example, boots and tights of the same color - black, or brown and beige. Properly selected clothing and accessories are especially important if you are applying for a position that involves communicating with clients.

The ideal option for any interview will always be a classic style; most companies consider classics to be always appropriate, even when hiring a creative person, for example, a designer. An interview always takes place in a business setting between serious-minded people, so the appearance must be selected in accordance with the situation.

A black suit or dress complemented by a light-colored blouse will not cause any complaints, as it fully corresponds to a business environment and is appropriate in the cold season. Of course, you can choose an outfit of a different shade, but you should avoid too bright colors and especially patterns. The same applies to makeup - bright war paint is not appropriate in the office and the layer of foundation and powder is too thick. It is best to limit yourself to neatly lined eyes, a light layer of foundation, and lipstick of a natural shade, so that the makeup creates the impression of lightness on the face.

At an interview, a medium-sized bag is appropriate, which will be slightly larger than the summer and spring version. In addition to documents and a resume, you must include a cosmetic bag, a brush for clothes and shoes, cream and a comb. Before entering the office, you should fix your hair, clothes, wipe your shoes with a sponge, etc. You can come to the office a little earlier and prepare for a meeting with the director in the ladies' room. In the interview room, you will have to take off your outerwear, so an image based on accessories such as a hat, gloves or coat will not work. Therefore, it is better to dress in such a way that it retains all its advantages after getting rid of outerwear.

Important Rules

So, we have decided what those who have a real chance of success wear to an interview. Now it's time to outline the unwritten rules of the business world.

Before the interview, get your hands and nails in order.
An equally important task is to tidy up your hair. They must be clean and well laid out.
Make sure you smell nice.
ADVICE! It’s important not to overdo it here, as many people don’t like it when their interlocutor smells too much of perfume.
It is important that you feel comfortable in your clothes. There is no need to wear things that you are not confident in.
You should not wear all the most expensive things to show off your best side.
Before the interview, take a shower and have breakfast so that hunger does not interfere with brain function.

What is prohibited from wearing?

Even with high qualifications, a person can spoil his impression of himself because of an unsuccessfully chosen outfit for an interview.

Among the things that are prohibited from wearing to an interview are:

jewelry and massive costume jewelry;
blouses with revealing cutouts. In this way, you will put the employer in an awkward position: instead of your resume, he will look at your cleavage;
too creative things. In an unusual outfit you can give the impression of a frivolous person;
bandage dresses;
contrasting underwear that is visible through clothing;
very short skirts;
sportswear;
wrinkled clothes.