What to Wear for an Online Interview - Experts Suggestions for Professional Attire

Expert tips on what to wear for an online interview to make a professional impression. From color choices to suitable styles, find the perfect outfit to boost your confidence and ace your interview!

what to wear for an online interview

Understanding the Importance of Dressing for Online Interviews

In the era of digitalization, interviews have also shifted quite a bit towards virtualization. The virtual interview has become an efficient medium for both the employer and the candidate. However, the basics and the first question you ask yourself remain the same: What to wear for an online interview?

Your attire creates an instant first impression the moment you join a virtual interview, making it a crucial element of your presentation. So, it is very crucial to understand what you are wearing while attending the interview.


Table Of Contents:

What to Wear for an Online Interview

Industry-Specific Dress Code for Online Interviews

Essential Outfit Details for Virtual Interviews

Complete Your Look with the Accessories

Setting the Scene: The Importance of Background and Lighting

Common Dressing Mistakes to Avoid

Last-Minute Outfit Checks Before Your Online Interview

Frequently Asked Questions


What to Wear for an Online Interview 

There is no specific dress that you should wear during an online interview. The dress code varies according to the type of industry and your job role. Your outfit reflects your personality, hence always keep it minimal.

For your convenience, here are some dress codes that are most preferred for the interview:


Dress Code for Online Interview:

  • Business Formal
  • Business Casual
  • Smart Casual
  • Casual

Below we have mentioned different dresses to consider for various types of industries. See what fits for you.


Industry-Specific Dress Code for Online Interviews

The dress code depends on the type of industry you are attending the interview for. Some companies tend to have specific outfits for their employees while some offer flexibility.

Dress Code for Tech Industry: Smart Casual vs. Business Casual

Companies related to technology and engineering give flexibility from smart casual to business casual. Depending upon your job role, you can experiment with these outfits.

Fear not, we will break it down further so that you can find your match.

Business Casual:

The outfits in this category are a bit more structured, suitable for traditional tech roles like Project Manager, Team Lead, Marketing Department, or companies that lean more formal. It involves:

Men's Business Casual Dress: 

Dress pants or chinos with a collared shirt or polo, and a blazer. Loafers or leather shoes.

Men's Business Casual Dress

Women's Business Casual Dress: 

A blouse with dress pants or a knee-length skirt, paired with a blazer. Closed-toe flats or pumps.

Women's Business Casual Dress

Note: While casual attire is more acceptable, aim to balance comfort with professionalism, ensuring your outfit reflects a readiness to meet expectations.

Dress Code for Creative Fields: Unique While Staying Professional

While attending an interview in the creative industry, you can be experimental; however, you must stay professional because it is an interview indeed.

Creative fields, like advertising, media, or design, allow for self-expression. The dress code coming inside this category is to demonstrate your creativity through your attire without losing a sense of professionalism.

So, what dress fits you?

Men's Outfits for Creative Interview: 

Tailored jeans or stylish trousers paired with a unique shirt, such as one with a subtle pattern or vibrant color. Blazers or cardigans can add a unique touch.

Men's Outfits for Creative Interview

Women's Outfit for Creative Interview: 

Dresses with interesting prints, stylish blouses with skirts or tailored pants, and accessories. A casual blazer or a statement necklace can sweeten the look.

Women's Outfit for Creative Interview

Note: The goal is to reflect the creative discipline while showing that you take the interview seriously. Avoid overly casual items like graphic tees or ripped jeans.

Dress Code for Corporate Interview: Formal Attire Expectations

Corporate roles in finance, law, consulting, and similar fields expect candidates to present a polished, professional appearance, which signals seriousness and reliability.

Men's Outfit for Corporate Interview: 

A dark suit with a tie, paired with a light-colored dress shirt (white or light blue). Leather dress shoes, a matching belt, and minimal accessories like a classic watch.

Men's Outfit for Corporate Interview

Women's Outfit for Corporate Interview: 

A tailored blazer with matching trousers or a pencil skirt, paired with a formal blouse in neutral shades. Closed-toe pumps and simple jewelry like stud earrings or a thin bracelet.

Women's Outfit for Corporate Interview

Note: Ensure the clothes are wrinkle-free, and the fit is impeccable. In these fields, it's better to be slightly overdressed than to appear too casual.


Essential Outfit Details for Virtual Interviews

Choosing the Right Top: Colors and Styles That Work on Camera

Your upper body garments deserve special attention as they occupy 75% of the video frame. Research by the Color Psychology Institute shows that certain colors perform better on camera.

A Specific color conveys a specific message and impression to the interviewer. Solid and Neutral Colors like Black, White, Gray, Navy Blue, or Brown, look great on camera and provide a clean, professional appearance. These neutral outfits avoid the risk of clashing with your background or being too harsh on the screen.

Avoid bright colors like yellow, red, purple, and sharp blue. These colors appear too intense and may create a distraction during the interview. Also, neon shades, noisy patterns, or prints appear disturbing or busy on the camera. It is always a good idea to avoid these.

The Importance of Fit: Avoiding Distracting Clothing

Choosing the perfect outfit for your online interview is a real bother. While you try to fit in the job requirements, you must also watch if your dress fits too.

Your outfit should be comfortable—not too tight, which can appear uncomfortable, and not too loose, which keeps shifting and requires constant adjustment.

Moreover, you must ensure your clothes are ironed and wrinkle-free.

Choose an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and confident.


Complete Your Look with the Accessories

Wearing accessories enhances your look but make sure they are not heavy and shiny as it create a distraction on the camera. 

Feel free to wear minimal and subtle pieces like a nice simple classic watch, small hoops, or earrings, a small pendant, or glasses with a stylish professional frame that can add a polished look.


Setting the Scene: The Importance of Background and Lighting

Make sure you check your background and the surroundings before accepting that interview call. Before the call, take time and open your camera then see for yourself, and clear this checklist:

  • Is the camera quality good enough?
  • Is the light good? 
  • Are there any irrelevant objects seen inside the frame?
  • Is the background clean and simple?

YES to all of these questions makes sure your surrounding is cooperative and the scene is perfect for your online interview.


Common Dressing Mistakes to Avoid

Candidates preparing for their virtual interview must understand the balance between comfort and professionalism. While having very little to choose from, there are still some common mistakes that need to be avoided.

You might be required to gather resources away from your desk and when you stand up, you're seen in pajamas. What mark does that leave on the interviewer? Make sure you dress identically to what you'd wear if attending an in-person interview.

Distractive patterned outfits, heavy makeup, and jewelry are red flags. Moreover, be certain not to wear a sporty outfit. These put a bad impression on an interviewer and reflect your negligence and disrespect for the interview.


Outfits That Can Be Distracting or Unprofessional

Understanding the Risks of Casual Attire

While attending an online interview, it is crucial to understand how certain outfits can be distracting and unprofessional.

Casual attire, such as sweatpants, or graphic tees, is comfortable but can mirror your professional image. While being somewhere okay can become tempting for the interviewer. 

Risks of Casual Attire

It is always the best way to get attached to the business casuals if you're not sure what to wear in an online interview. 


Last-Minute Outfit Checks Before Your Online Interview

The online interview is scheduled for tomorrow and you are going through your checklist. Here's what to check one day before your interview:

  • The outfit is professional and minimal. It aligns with your job role and industry standards.
  • The dress is ironed and clean. No wrinkles or dark patches on the dress.
  • The outfit is not super shiny and bright that it distracts the interviewer more towards your dress rather than your face.

Practicing Your Look: How to Test Your Appearance on Camera

Before you appear in your interview, test your appearance first. Stand in front of the mirror to check if there is anything wrong with the outfit. When the outfit is good, sit at the place where you will be attending the interview.

Now, open your camera and see if your face is clear and at least your lower chest fits in the frame. This is the easiest way to scan for any faults before the interview.

You know everything is perfect after you follow our guide to wearing an outfit for an online interview.

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Frequently asked questions

Professional blouse or shirt, blazer for formal interviews, simple jewelry, natural makeup

Collared shirt, blazer or suit jacket for formal roles, clean-shaven or well-groomed facial hair, simple tie for corporate positions

No, even in casual industries, opt for at least a collared shirt or professional blouse to make the best impression.

Yes, a well-fitted blazer or suit jacket is recommended as it instantly improves your professional appearance.

Yes, a well-fitted blazer or suit jacket is recommended as it instantly improves your professional appearance.

No, unless specifically told it's acceptable, stick to dress pants or a skirt to maintain a professional appearance.

Maintain good posture, ensure your camera is at eye level, have proper lighting on your face, and make eye contact with the camera while speaking.