Interview Tip: Dress For The Role

In a recent coaching session, my client, a mid-level manager who was being considered for a VP level position in his company, asked me what he should wear for the interview. “Do I wear a sport coat and a nice shirt? Or just a nice shirt?”?

“What do you typically wear in your current role?” I asked.

“Polo shirts and long sleeved tee shirts,” he replied.

“And what do the people on the executive team typically wear?” I continued.

“Sport coats and nice shirts,” he said.

“So, what do you think you should wear for the interview?” I asked

He grinned.

“A sport coat and a nice shirt,” he said.

“Bingo!” I replied.? “You want to dress for the role you’re aiming for.”

Dress At Least As Well As Your Audience

Whether you’re engaging in a job interview or stepping up to deliver a talk in front of an audience, dressing as well as—if not better than—your audience of one or many is critical.? It conveys a sense of respect for the audience and for the occasion itself; and it helps the people interviewing you more easily “see you” in the role you’re leaning towards.

Perhaps most important is the way the “right” choice of clothes can help you feel about yourself.? As every actor understands, the clothes you wear dictate how you sit, stand, and carry yourself.? This is why the late, great acting guru, Stella Adler, demanded that students come to her classes dressed as nicely as possible, befitting their status as professional actors who she called “citizens of the world.”? That meant no jeans, or ratty, unkept clothing that disrespected the “Sacred Stage” and could encourage slouching or lackluster energy.

The fact is, you comport yourself (and think about yourself) quite differently in a good quality, well-fitting outfit than you do in a pair of sweats and a tee shirt. That’s why, when it comes to dressing for an interview, it’s important that you level up by dressing for the role you want, not the role you might already have (unless the role you have, or have recently left, is commensurate with the role you’re going after).?

The Details Matter!

And while you're at it, pay attention to the details:? Make sure there are no stains, rips or dangly bits (threads, loose buttons, frayed edges, drooping bra straps), and that you can breathe, move, and sit with ease in your outfit; take special care with your hair and makeup; polish your shoes (and yes, wear shoes when interviewing virtually, even if your interviewers can’t see your feet—it makes a difference in how you feel!)

But What If The Company Culture Is Really Casual?

Even if the company you’re hoping to work for has a casual work culture where athletic wear is the norm, choose to dress one step up from that in your interview.? This is how political candidates think and act when they tour the country, speaking to diverse groups (which is their version of “interviewing”). When speaking to a group of union workers in manufacturing who might typically wear jeans or coveralls, the candidate might wear a pair of nice, casual slacks and a good quality shirt with the sleeves rolled up (eschewing a sport coat or flashy jewelry).? ?When speaking to a group of executives, they might wear a suit and tie or a well-fitting dress with fashionable high heels, in alignment with what their audience might be wearing.? The clothes they choose to wear not only help their audience relate to them, but help their audience see them in the role they are reaching for. ?

So, for your next interview or important pitch or presentation, ask yourself “What do I need to wear to help myself feel and look like million bucks, and convey my respect for the audience and the moment at hand?” ?I assure you, you’ll never go wrong by choosing to dress for the role, leveling up to clothing and accessories that help both you and your audience see you in the role you’re aiming for.

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