by Trevor Gelder, Corporate Director
Talent Acquisition and Deployment
The easiest way to figure out how to dress is to ask about the standard office attire when you are contacted for an interview. Keep in mind, too, that the term “business casual” can mean different things at different offices. At some companies is may mean no jeans or flip flops but everything else is OK. To other companies it could mean that you don’t have to wear a tie with your dress slacks and dress shirt. Play it safe and ask questions while setting up the interview.
I suggest dressing just a step above the norm for the office. If people typically wear slacks and a dress shirt, then add a tie for your interview. You want to look sharp and also make sure nothing you are wearing stands out so much that it shifts the interviewers’ attention away from you being a fit for the position. In short, be conservative. Women should avoid short skirts and extremely high heels, as an interview isn’t the time to be trendy. While you may rock out the piercings and sleeve tattoos on the weekends, don’t let them define you during the interview. Opt for long sleeves and definitely keep the sneakers in the closet. You want the interviewers to be able to see the value you can bring to the company, not the value of your clothes or personal style.