What to wear to a job interview

People form a first impression within seconds of meeting you, and what you wear is a big part of it. You do not need an expensive outfit, but you do need to look like someone who took the interview seriously. The simple rule is to dress a notch smarter than the everyday dress code of the workplace. Here is how to get it right for any kind of role.

The golden rule: dress one level up

Match your outfit to the job, then lift it slightly. A candidate for a City office should not turn up in the same clothes as someone interviewing for a warehouse, and vice versa. Aim to look like you would fit in on your smartest day, plus a little more effort. When you genuinely do not know the dress code, it is safer to be slightly too smart than too casual.

Office and professional roles

• Men: a suit or smart trousers with a shirt, and clean shoes. A tie if the workplace is formal.
• Women: a suit, smart trousers or a skirt with a blouse, or a smart dress. Nothing too revealing.
• Either: keep colours understated, make sure everything is clean and pressed, and go easy on strong aftershave or perfume.

Retail, hospitality and customer-facing roles

Smart casual is usually right. Think clean, tidy and presentable: smart trousers or a skirt with a plain top or shirt, and clean shoes. These employers are picturing you in front of their customers, so looking neat and approachable matters more than looking corporate.

Warehouse, driving, trades and manual roles

You do not need a suit, and turning up in one can look out of place. Aim for clean, practical and smart casual: tidy trousers or dark jeans without rips, a plain shirt or polo, and sensible shoes. It shows respect for the interview without pretending the job is something it is not. If there is a site tour or a practical test, you may be told to bring safety boots, so check in advance.

Video and phone interviews

Dress as you would for the real thing, at least from the waist up, because looking the part puts you in the right frame of mind and shows respect. Choose a plain top in a solid colour, sit somewhere tidy and well lit, and check the camera and background before you start. Looking smart on screen counts just as much as it does in person.

The details that get noticed

• Clean and tidy beats new and expensive. Iron your clothes and clean your shoes.
• Keep it comfortable, so you are not fidgeting or tugging at an outfit that does not fit.
• Go light on scent, jewellery and anything distracting, so the focus stays on what you say.
• Sort it the night before, so a wardrobe panic does not make you late.

What to avoid

Steer clear of anything creased, stained, ripped or too casual, such as trainers with a suit or a football shirt to an office. Avoid slogans, strong smells and anything you will feel self-conscious in. The goal is simple: look like you made an effort and could start tomorrow. Get the outfit sorted early, and you free yourself to focus on the only thing that really wins the job, which is what you say when you are in the room.