What Should I Wear to an Interview?

1-2 minutes

You’ve heard the saying ‘You don't get a second chance to make a first impression’ and it’s thought that you have roughly 7 seconds before an interviewer will form an impression on you.  How you dress for an interview will be one of the first things that an interviewer will ‘judge’ you on so it’s important to get it right.

In today's day in age, knowing what to wear to an interview can be particularly challenging as many companies have relaxed their dress code policies from what was traditional work attire a few decades ago. 

Choosing the perfect interview attire is about striking a balance; you wouldn’t want to look out of place but you also wouldn’t want to run the risk of the interviewer thinking you didn’t make an effort. 

Taking a look on the company's website or social media accounts should be able to give you an idea of the work attire worn by the people who already work there. 

If in doubt, dressing smartly will show the interviewer that you are keen to impress them and it will speak volumes about your overall work ethic and professionalism. 

It would be wise to plan, wash and iron your outfit in advance to save you rushing around on the morning of the interview. 


What to wear in an interview

  • Smart shirt, blouse or sweater.
  • Tailored trousers or Chinos.
  • Smart dress.
  • Pencil skirt.  
  • Tie.
  • Washed and ironed clothes. 
  • Well groomed hair, nails, beard or moustache. 
  • A coordinated and well fitted outfit.
  • Wear something comfortable.


What not to wear in an interview

  • Short skirts or shorts.
  • Denim.
  • Scruffy trainers or flip flops. 
  • Gym wear. 
  • Novelty ties.
  • Excessive makeup or jewellery. 
  • Extremely high heels. 
  • Revealing clothes.  
  • Sunglasses on your head.
  • Have your undergarments on show. 
  • Heavy perfume or cologne. 
  • Smell of smoke. 


Who is Spencer Clarke Group? 

Since 2017, we've been changing the face of recruitment. From our employees, to the way we do business, to the culture within our office, we're determined to make a difference and create a positive impact on everyone around us.

Recruitment to us isn't just about matching candidates and clients; we’re passionate about finding candidates the perfect job which has the ability to boost their salary and standard of living, better their work life balance and improve their mental health. 

Similarly, we understand the impact which an experienced and skilled employee can make to a business and we love seeing clients thrive through the hard work of candidates which we have placed with them. 

We operate in two sectors:

Private Sector

Public Sector 

In eleven specialisms:

Accountancy & Finance

Education & SEND

Construction, Trades & Labour

Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing

Housing

Corporate Functions & Business Support

HR & Workforce Development

IT & Digital

Property & Asset Management  

Planning, Development & Regeneration 

Highways, Infrastructure & Engineering

If you’re searching for a new role, why not visit our job page to take a look at the latest opportunities? Alternatively, upload your CV and one of our experienced consultants will contact you when a relevant opportunity becomes available. 

If you’re struggling to fill a role, why don’t you give us a call on 01772 954200 to see how we can help? One of our consultants will be happy to listen to the challenges which you are facing and advise on the best possible solution for you.

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