A guide on how to dress for any job interview, and how to do it on a budget.

By Sadie Grunau

University of Minnesota senior Isabel Schleper is in pursuit of a Design and Communications dual degree and has over ten interviews set up for the coming months. Schleper says that when she is getting ready for a job interview, finding an outfit is one of the biggest stresses.

“Making sure that I am prepared in terms of answers to possible questions along with finding an outfit that shows my desire for the job and commitment to professionality is such a scary task,” Schleper says.

Schleper is not alone. Finding an outfit for the interview that we think will give us our forever 9-5 job is a daunting task. Finding the clothes that makes you feel confident, prepared, intelligent, and professional on a college student budget can feel nearly impossible.

But don’t worry. Experts have some advice on the best wats to dress to impress at job interviews. It’s not a mystery. Just don’t overthink it.

Do your research.

Fletcher Farley, the Marketing Manager at the Berg Group who has interviewed and hired numerous individuals, encourages us all to look into the company and their dress code before the interview.

“Try and poke around their website or social media to see if you can get a feel for what people at that company dress like on a day-to-day basis. If it’s more casual, it’s okay to go with a more business casual look. If it’s a suit and tie organization, you should mirror that. And if you’re not sure, it’s always better to overdress,” Farley says.

Sara Burdick, a senior human resources manager at Grain Millers has interviewed close to 100 people throughout her career. She suggests individuals reach out to the employer or recruiter to inquire about what is appropriate to wear.

“I’d rather have someone walk in feeling comfortable with what they’re wearing than feeling self-conscious about being over/under dressed as a first impression,” Burdick says.

Wear what works for you.

Interviews are stressful enough and being worried about how you look is an added worry that no one needs to endure. At the end of the day, your energy, intelligence, and willingness to learn is what an interviewer is looking for, so make sure that you are dressed in a way that allows your most important and impressive qualities to shine through.

For me personally, I have never been someone who feels very confident in a dress. I much prefer pants and a blazer when it comes to professional settings… and that is OK. The most important part of a job interview is you, not what you are wearing. So, test different outfits and see what allows you to feel the most prepared walking into a room that is nothing but intimidating.

Think about the interview type.

Interviews fall into several categories: formal, some business casual, informal and virtual. Think about your dress specifically for each of these and adjust accordingly.

For formal interviews – Find yourself a classic black dress that you can rely on. Make sure it is longer than your fingertips, or grab a pair of sheer black tights to throw on underneath it.

If dresses aren’t what you normally reach for in your closet, find the perfect pair of black trousers or dress pants. You can get a pair for under five dollars at your local thrift store, and they are a perfect staple to have in your closet, even if you don’t use them for job interviews. Tuck in a solid-colored t-shirt to the pants and you have the perfect outfit for your interview.

A cardigan or blazer are both perfect additions to either of these simple outfits. A light jacket over your base outfit will keep you warm and act as a security blanket of sorts as you walk into your intimidating job interview. 

For shoes, heels or boots are both excellent options. If you aren’t used to walking in high heels, don’t make your job interview the first time you try. Instead, opt for a pair of knee-high black leather boots with any outfit, another item that is easy to find at the thrift store, or on inexpensive websites such as ASOS.

“Business casual” is one of the most overused and unclear statements in the English language. Despite widespread confusion about this statement, a good go-to for a business casual occasion is dress pants, a button down, and a sweater. It is always better to be over dressed than under dressed, so erring on the side of caution in these situations is always the best course of action.

Burdick suggests dark jeans and a nice top for business casual interviews. She says it is critical you dress for the job you are seeking, and suggests a nicer outfit with dress pants if you are seeking a higher-level role.

Informal interviews occur when you’re looking for a service level job. In those situations, jeans and sweater will suffice. Look put together, but make sure that your outfit is reflecting the level of employment you are interviewing for.

For virtual interviews, the bottom part doesn’t matter. Just throw on a simple button-down shirt or blazer and your favorite pajama pants. Prioritize your comfort and make sure you have your fuzzy socks on too.

Believe in yourself

Job interviews are terrifying, and you are judged the second you walk into the room. Wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident in your professional abilities makes all the difference, and this expert advice will help you deal with the pre-interview jitters and wow any potential employer. Your intelligence is your best accessory, so use it to your advantage.