Kaycee Rippey 
September 27, 2021
Newsletter ArticleBy Kaycee Rippey, Agriculture Future of America (AFA)
With a rise in remote positions and virtual interviews, many are scratching their heads wondering what appropriate dress looks like through a screen. It’s expected for individuals to dress in business professional for in-person interviews, but what does that look like in the virtual space? While held in a very different environment, virtual interviews have a lot in common with in-person interviews, including dress code.
Jill Brown, Director of Corporate Relations at Northwest Missouri State University, shares insights on dressing for success while interviewing virtually.
Complete the look, top to bottom
Just like any interview, you want to put your best foot forward from the start. An immediate way to impress a hiring manager is by dressing for success. But what does that mean? Brown’s first piece of advice is wearing something you feel confident in. It’s important that you look put together from top to bottom as well.
“Although interviewers likely can’t see you from the waist down, wearing pants and shoes can make your look feel complete,” says Brown. “Some interviewers even ask candidates to stand up to see if they went through the extra effort of changing out of pajama pants, or worse, to see if they even have pants on at all.”
Brown notes you should also know and understand the industry you are going into, and how the industry dress code impacts your wardrobe. Someone going into a job interview at a bank will look much different than someone interviewing for a job in construction.
Suit up
While rules for interview attire tend to apply to both men and women, Brown has tailored advice to help both dress their best. Brown encourages men to do what she calls suiting up. This means dressing a step up from the job you are applying for. For example, if you are interviewing for a job in landscaping, dress for a job as the foreman.
“A landscaper likely won’t wear a suit, but dressing one step above the job you are interested in exudes confidence and shows you have initiative,” says Brown. “This is also a great way for employers to gauge your interest level.”
Own your personality
Brown encourages women to own their personality. While incorporating personality into an outfit can make a big impact, it is also imperative to know the industry. For example, a law firm might not appreciate a neon pink blazer as much as a simple black one. Consider the status quo surrounding the industry you are working toward and try to stick to it. There are plenty of ways to incorporate your personality in other ways, such as accessories. However, if you do want to make a bold statement, Brown says that can work in your favor.
“If you are bold and that’s the style you will wear every day, then certainly wear bold colors so the employer knows what to expect from the start,” says Brown. “The biggest piece of advice I have for women is to wear colors that suit them and steer clear of graphics and crazy patterns. With so little to look at on a virtual call, you don’t want your outfit to be a distraction.”
Be yourself
Your look goes beyond your outfit, though. Makeup, hair and tattoos are important parts of dressing for success.
“Wear your hair and makeup as you normally do,” says Brown. “I advise against trying a new hairstyle or makeup trend the day of the interview. If you wear your hair up daily, then wear your hair up. If you don’t usually wear much makeup, don’t add more for the interview. You want to look, feel and present yourself as if it were a normal day.”
A daring makeup look or an unnatural hair color may be appropriate for some jobs, but you do not want it to be too distracting or take away from the skills and expertise you are conveying through an interview.
In regard to tattoos, some companies are comfortable with tattoos showing, while others may ask employees to cover them. Brown notes that you can show tattoos if they are important to you; however, tattoos with profanity or crudeness will usually put you at the bottom of the candidate list as it gives the employer a sense of unprofessionalism.
Dress with purpose
A good outfit can make you feel like the CEO of a company even, if you are interviewing for an entry-level job. Dressing for success means putting on clothes with purpose. Understanding your desired career field and knowing the dress expectations can make the interview process less stressful.
It is never a bad idea to suit up and put your best foot forward. The best way to make a positive impression in a virtual interview is by preparing and wearing a cohesive outfit, and greeting your interviewer with a smile. With these tips in mind, anyone can make a big impact through a screen.
