A panicked job seeker called me, and Michael told me that the employer had just called and arranged an in-person job interview. He was aghast: “I haven’t had an in-person job interview in six years. For the online interview, I was just worried about wearing a nice shirt. But what do you wear these days? It’s a great job at a consulting firm, and I don’t have anything in my wardrobe that’s too casual. Do I need to buy a suit?”

During an interview preparation session, Nicole brought up the same topic. “As a manager, I need to present myself as a leader. But what should I wear? I don’t want the interviewer to take one look at me and say, ‘No, she’s wrong for this job’ based on how I present myself. So, in today’s world, what’s appropriate to wear?”

First impressions are hard to change. Before you say hello, the employer’s mind evaluates your clothing, cleanliness, style and formulates an opinion, because what you wear sends strong signals. The impression must be positive, otherwise it may ruin your chance of getting a job.

Don’t give a bad presentation

When you know you look good, you’ll feel good, and it will help you do your best. After years of working at home, how to dress for work has become a close second. Many people have ditched their “simple” work clothes, and now the closet is full of sweatpants and sneakers. In 2025, casual reigns.

But the interview is different. It’s important to make a positive impression in those first few minutes when you greet your employer. The interviewer will examine you from head to toe. They often make their immediate hiring decision based on whether or not you’re a good fit represents Their company. The answer must be yes.

As a career consultant, my research has included several recent discussions with hiring managers and senior leaders to gather their recommendations on what they think you should wear. These are the instructions to follow.

Company culture analysis:

Research company culture to understand what directors, managers, and leadership wear to work. Do they dress up when giving a presentation or sitting in front of a client? It’s important to know. When the creative department has people wearing t-shirts, a manager looking for a role at a healthcare company won’t wear those t-shirts. Looking at a company’s website provides clues about what people there wear to work. Networking is the best way to learn first-hand what the standard is, and then move up one notch.

No cell phone. Leaving your phone in the car so it’s not in your hands or bulging out of your pocket is a wise choice. You need to shake hands and not fiddle with the phone. If you bring it with you, make sure it is turned off and out of sight. Never answer a phone call or text message when you are with your employer.

What should men wear to an interview?

It’s the year 2025. If a man goes to the store to buy a suit, it’s a long search. So few stores sell them anymore. So, what do you wear? Is a suit necessary? Jobs in corporate finance, consulting, law or senior leadership typically require more formal professional attire, while those working in other roles or industries may find business casual acceptable.

Business casual for men

• Collared shirt: This is the global standard. At the very least, wear a nice long-sleeved polo shirt. Choose a solid color shirt so that the focus stays on your face and not on the striped or loudly colored shirt. Light blue or white are good options, pressed without any wrinkles.
• dress pants: Select a dark color – dark blue, black, or grey. For some roles, chino may be acceptable. Make sure it’s pressed and fits you well. Nothing loose or dirty looking. No jeans.
• Association: This has become optional depending on the role. If you don’t wear a tie while driving, skip it. If you want to dress up a little more, adding a tie may impress your interviewer. Make sure the tie is solid, conservative in style, or classic, and nothing too loud or bold.
• shoes: People notice the shoes you wear. So no sneakers. Dress shoes, or at least smart casual shoes, are clean and indestructible.
• Grooming: Hair should be cut short, and any facial hair should be well groomed. Clean, manicured nails without cologne are a better option.

Professional business for men

• suit. Color is navy or charcoal grey, with a white or light blue shirt. The suit should be a contemporary style fit, not one that has been in your closet for many years. For some roles, a suit and tie are appropriate attire. For other situations, a suit jacket, without a tie, with an open-collared dress shirt, also works well.
• Shoes, tie and accessories. Polished formal shoes with matching socks. The belt should be a color that matches the pants. The tie should be solid or have a delicate pattern. A watch is acceptable, as is a wedding ring, and don’t wear anything else.

What should a woman wear to a job interview?

Business casual for women

• dress: A conservative dress, with a muted color, without bright or wild colors. Accents are fine, but avoid flashy or dramatic patterns. The addition of the jacket is a nice touch. Nothing with spaghetti straps. Skip any summer, party-like, or beach wear.
• pocket: Another good option, but keep it professional looking, and not too short – knee length or just above the knee. Wear clothes of a plain color or a simple, elegant, low-key design.
• pants: Formal pants always go well with solid options in black, navy blue, grey, khaki or beige. Avoid wearing jeans.
• Top/blouse: A professional image means nothing low-key, spaghetti straps, sheer or anything sexy. Choose a modern but conservative blouse or shirt, in a nice color or soft pattern that will look flattering on you.
• Shoes and wallet: Dress shoes or smart casual shoes in excellent condition, not dirty. No sandals, high heels, or sneakers. A wallet is often a fashion statement. Carry one that is modern and elegant but avoid bright or wild colors and skip the embellishments.
• Supplements: Apple watches are very popular and acceptable to wear while giving an interview. Make sure the phone and any alarms are turned off. It’s fine to wear simple jewelry, such as a pretty necklace, bracelet, and elegant earrings, if it’s not too big and not overly distracting.
• makeup: You want to enhance your features and look good and polished but not overly so. Think about the right workplace. Avoid heavy foundation or dramatic eye makeup. Choose light-colored lipstick and refrain from using bright red.
• Fragrance: The fragrance should be very light or none at all.
• Nails: If you are wearing nail polish, make sure it is fresh and free of any chips. I suggest avoiding nail polishes and designs with crazy colors.
• hair: Clean and designed to look polished and professional. If you color your hair, make sure no root growth is visible. Hair around your face should be sprayed to stay in place so it doesn’t fall into your eyes.

Fashion/beauty industry: These companies have completely different expectations where your personal style becomes part of your professional qualifications. Interviewers will notice everything from head to toe. Trendy, the height of fashion, is the look of today.

Professional business for women

• suit. A well-tailored suit in a contemporary, non-vintage style should be a perfect fit. Select conservative colors, such as navy blue, charcoal grey, black or beige. Medium blue is a perfect choice too.
• Top/blouse: Elegant button-down shirt in a light neutral colour. A sleeveless blouse with a modest neckline is appropriate, but nothing sheer or sexy.
• dress: The perfect look could be a classic solid color dress and statement jewelry. For most offices, pair the dress with a modern, form-fitting blazer.
• Shoes and wallet: Formal shoes should be medium heels or flats, in black, navy blue, dark brown, beige/white, and blend well with the outfit. No sandals, high heels, or casual shoes. Other women notice the bag you carry, so it must be stylish.
• Supplements: Simple jewelry, especially earrings, and a complementary watch are fine, but not the Apple Watch.
• makeup: Almost everyone looks better with a little makeup. Your goal is to improve your appearance and look polished, healthy and natural. No heavy foundation or dramatic eye makeup. Soft colored lipstick looks beautiful, but refrain from using bright red. The fragrance should be very light or none at all.
• Nails: Crazy colored nail polish, split colors, and decorations like flowers or shiny things are distracting. Take a more reserved approach to this meeting.
• hair: Sleek, clean and designed to look polished and professional. If you dye your hair, make sure no roots are visible. Keep the hair around your face styled so it stays in place so it doesn’t fall into your eyes.

Looking good builds confidence.

Now that you know what to wear, you can be sure that you will look your best. When you feel good, you tend to be more confident. Greet the interviewer with a big smile on your face, a firm handshake, and look directly into their eyes when you say hello. Then you’re off to the races with the best possible start.