It’s Not Your Mother’s Interview: Smart, Modern Wardrobe Tips to Help you Get that New Job 

For three years during my career, I had the pleasure of helping women define and refine their wardrobe and personal style. And every now and then, they still reach out for help or new tips and advice.

Just a few weeks ago, I received a call from a former client who has found herself back in the job market after her company downsized – and her last interview had been in 1998. Needless to say, she was feeling at a complete loss on the latest interview wardrobe etiquette. She’s not alone; the truth is that many women may find themselves in her shoes as corporate America’s dress standards ebb and flow.

In the nineties, casual business attire took hold of the workplace, dethroning formal business wear. By that time, according to the Society for Resource Management, 95 percent of U.S. companies had instituted a business casual day policy.  By 2002, business casual or “smart” attire was the most common form of dress in the American workplace.Today, four out of ten people dress casually for work, and those who still follow the formal and smart code of business attire have a lot more options to choose from than a black or blue suit.

An example: this year, Marie Claire’s Office Style Trends offered up exciting takes on the corporate wardrobe with unique prints, cigarette trousers, bold color-blocking, pencil skirts, and statement-making tops, dresses, accessories and shoes.  So the new workplace is ripe for individuality and creativity, and your interview wardrobe should be a sign of the times. Why? Because our attire impacts our psyche, and, as experts note, putting your best foot forward matters in a high-pressure situation: the more confident you feel, the more confident you will be.   That is, after all, what you want in an important interview!

Here then are a few tips for picking the perfect interview ensemble:

Know your Audience and Their Goal
The best place to start when planning an outfit for an interview is a clear understanding of the company’s culture and expectations for the role. This sets the stage for your attire.  So ask yourself:

• • • Is the company contemporary or is it more traditional?
    • What is the role and what attributes are the company seeking in a candidate?
    • Are they looking for someone with a like mind to fit in with leadership, or are they looking for a maverick to come in and shake things up?

Example: if the interview is for a VP role at a traditional law firm with a formal dress code, a modern power suit, structured and tailored is an appropriate choice. If it is for a VP role at an unconventional creative agency, a patterned shift dress with a fun scarf is a better option. Your aim is this: when shaking hands with the candidate, the interviewer’s first thought should be “She is exactly what we are looking for.”

Your outfit should speak directly to the expectations and needs of the company, which should be aligned with yours. It should also reflect your individuality and personality regardless of the parameters (see below!):

Put your Favorite Color to Work
No matter if the prospective company maintains a formal, smart or casual dress code, color is an opportunity for even the most traditional businesswoman to safely inject her personality and be memorable:

• • • Combine a blazer or wrap in your favorite tone with a black dress.
    • Drape a colorful scarf over your ensemble or throw in a bold, statement necklace with a crisp oxford button-down and tailored pants.

The interviewer will remember your wise words, and after seeing a slew of candidates, having a visual reminder of their favorite candidate will help set you apart.

Think Outside the Box — It’s Okay to Mix and Match
The days of a mandatory matching of a navy or black jacket and skirt are long gone. In fact, unless your suit is well-tailored, you may be doing yourself a disservice by wearing it to an interview. In doing so, you simply become “one of many,” and blend blandly into the crowd,  which of course is not the aim!

So if you have a blouse or blazer that fits you perfectly, pull it out and test it with a patterned or colored pencil skirt (see tip #2). Or, try it with a well-fitted dress or pants. This will not only help you achieve a look that makes you feel good and is appropriate for the company, it will also help save money. A great suit can cost a significant amount of money — not necessarily an investment to make when money could be tight.

Comfort is Key
Try on your entire ensemble two days before your interview, then follow these tips:

• • • Sit down at a table and wear the shoes up and down the hallway or in the driveway.
    • If anything is pinching, if anything is bulging or your feet start swelling, the outfit is not the right choice.
    • Do not feel pressured to wear heels if walking in them doesn’t come naturally; a fall is much worse than being a few inches shorter.
    • If exposing your legs makes you self-conscious, find a pair of pants that boost your confidence level, giving you the coverage and style you want.

At the end of the day, if the outfit is not comfortable, you won’t be either – and that can keep any well-prepared candidate from shining. So instead, use these pointers and a good review of your wardrobe to be wow-worthy in any interview situation.