Picking out the perfect outfit to wear to an interview, whether that is one for a job or one for an internship, can be quite difficult. There is so much advice out there but they seem to contradict each other.
The last thing you want to be stressed about before an interview is what you are wearing.
It seems like the rules of interview fashion are constantly changing. Well, if you are finding it quite overwhelming trying to decide what to wear, fear no more. We have put together a guide highlighting what you should and should not wear to an internship interview.
Here are a few outfit ideas you could wear to your internship interview. We have broken them down into different categories, as we are aware that different internships have different clothing attire requirements.
Table of Contents
Classic Professional Outfits
If the internship you are interviewing for requires you to wear formal attire, then you can’t go wrong with a classic business professional outfit. Both women and men can wear a tailored white button-down shirt.
For women, pair the white button-down shirt with a knee-length skirt and a blazer. Wear some heels that are no taller than 3 inches to complete the outfit. You should have a sleek and professional look.
Men can wear a white button-down shirt with some tailored dress pants and a matching blazer. Wear some leather dress shoes with a belt that matches them. For a sleek look, opt for darker colors like navy.
If the internship is slightly more casual but you need to look professional, then wear the outfit without a blazer.
Casual Interview Outfits
If the internship you are interviewing for has a casual work environment, then you need to make sure that your outfit reflects this. If you wear a business formal suit to a casual internship interview, it might make you look out of place and a bad fit for their company.
You might know that the employees wear jeans but this doesn’t mean that you should wear jeans to the interview. Instead, you want to look slightly more professional to an interview.
Women can wear knee-length skirts with a sweater for a casual internship interview. With these interviews, you can experiment with what you are wearing. This means you can wear a muted print on your pants. In some cases, skinny pants might be appropriate.
For men, wearing a button-down shirt without a tie might be acceptable for a casual internship interview. Wearing chinos with a button-down shirt and a sleek tie is also a good choice. Men can wear loafers instead of leather dress shoes for a casual interview.
Both men and women can introduce sweaters to their internship interview outfits to make it more casual.
Modern Internship Outfits
A lot of internships allow you to make more modern choices with your clothing. If you are confident that the internship you are interviewing allows employees to wear modern attire, then you could put together a modern outfit.
For women, this might mean wearing a dress with a cardigan. For a modern look, you could add some printed clothing items to your look. Although, make sure these aren’t bold prints. Women can experiment with different styles of dress pants, whether that means wide leg or slim ones.
The same applies to men. Men can try slim-fit tailored trousers for a more modern look. They could also add a sweater over their shirts.
The key to modern outfits is to make sure you still look professional. If you are unsure, then it is best to stick with an outfit you know looks professional.
Tips For Looking Your Best At An Internship Interview
There are a few things that you can do in order to make sure you have the right outfit for your interview.
Research
The first step to making sure you are wearing the right outfit for your internship interview is to research the company. Try to see if there is a dress code for that company. Check their website for any pictures of employees working to see what they are wearing.
You might find that if you are interviewing for an internship at a tech company that they wear jeans. However, you shouldn’t turn up to your interview in jeans. Instead, match their casualness by wearing chinos, a dress, or a skirt with a sweater.
You still want to remain professional but you want your outfit to reflect the image of the company you are interviewing for.
Be Simple
If you are unsure about that image of the company you are doing an internship interview with, then it is best to stick to a simple outfit. Wear colors that are muted and neutral. Keep your accessories simple and small.
Keep your makeup looking natural. When you are not sure what they want you to wear, it is best if your outfit stays in the background. The aim is for you to look professional and sleek.
Be Tidy
When you go for an internship interview it is important to look well-groomed. This means shaving and showering before your interview. Make sure you brush your teeth. Keep your hair in a neat hairstyle.
Make sure your nails are clean. If you forget to do one of these tasks it can make you look unprofessional, no matter what you are wearing.
What Not To Do
There are a few things you should avoid doing when it comes to getting ready for your internship interview.
- Avoid perfume and cologne – It is best to avoid strong-smelling perfumes and colognes as this can distract the interviewer, especially if they do not like the scent.
- Tattoos and piercings – Don’t pick an outfit that makes your tattoos visible to others and avoid wearing any piercing to your interview.
- Wearing revealing clothing – It is unprofessional to wear a revealing outfit or items of clothing to an interview. This will leave a bad first impression on the interviewer.
- Avoid ill-fitting clothing – It is best to wear clothing that fits you nicely, this means nothing that is too tight or too baggy.
- Avoid sneakers or sports shoes – Wearing sneakers to an internship interview is not appropriate as it can look unprofessional.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to selecting your outfit for your internship interview the most important thing you should do is wear something that reflects the atmosphere and image of the company you are applying to.
If you are ever in doubt of what to wear, it is better to be dressed up than dressed down. So, in that case, choosing a business professional outfit is what you should do. As long as you look sleek, professional, and well-groomed you shouldn’t bump into any problems with your outfit.
Hopefully, we have helped you feel confident about the outfit you are selecting for your interview.
