Wearing the right outfit to an interview or career fair will help you feel comfortable, confident and make a strong lasting first impression. Understanding how to dress properly will help you demonstrate your professionalism and preparedness. Although professional attire is a very personal matter, there are some general guidelines and steps that you can take when deciding what to wear. We also encourage you to watch the Career Center’s Career Fair Outfit of the Day videos for more ideas.
Things to Consider When Choosing Professional Attire
- Dress for success! Dress professionally to make a great first impression. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed in an interview scenario. The Career Center has never heard feedback from employers about students being overdressed but we have heard feedback from employers about students being underdressed and perceived as not taking the opportunity seriously.
- Dress comfortably. Choose clothes that align with the weather and season. Avoid clothes that are too small or large because they may cause distractions if you continually adjust them or feel self-conscious.
- Dress simply. Wear clothes free of pet hair, large logos, holes or stains that may be noticeable to the interviewer. For a more professional look, you can press, steam or iron your clothes to remove any wrinkles. Avoid distracting jewelry and strong fragrances.
Local resources for free/low-cost clothing options:
- Aggie Reuse Store, LGBTQIA+ Resource Center Closet
- “Suit Up for Success” program - free interview clothes
- Local thrift stores like My Sister’s Closet, Goodwill, Boheme
- Lower price retail stores like Target and TJ Maxx
Things to Consider for a Virtual Interview
Your appearance is also important for virtual interviews. In addition to the same tips regarding your outfit, we recommend making sure your virtual setup is intentional as well.
- Find an interview space. Identify somewhere quiet and free of distractions. If using a shared space, ask others to avoid the space during that time. The Career Center has quiet interview space available upon request.
- Check the image quality. Make sure your face is well-lit during the interview. Position the camera at eye level and about arms-length from your face.
- Consider your background. Sometimes items in the background of your video can be distracting. Opt for a plain background, such as a blank wall, or use a neutral virtual background.