After receiving the email telling you that you’ve got yourself an interview with a job that you applied for, the next step is the dreaded question of “what will I wear?”. Even if you couldn’t care less about fashion, it’s true when they say first impressions matter and it’s important to spend time putting thought into your interview outfit. Here are some tips to help you out:

Research the company

Choosing an outfit to wear to your job interview really depends on the job that you are going for - if you have applied for a more artistic based job then you have more freedom to express your personality whereas if it is more along the lines of an office based job, you might want to consider a typical interview outfit such as a simple black dress or a suit – this would also be appropriate for a part time job interview in a restaurant or shop. This is a key first step in preparing your interview outfit as different companies have different dress codes and expectations and it is therefore vital to research the company you have applied to.

Be comfortable

Interviews can be scary and intimidating, especially if it’s for a job you are really hoping for, so anxiety is usually a prominent feeling associated with interviews. Therefore, the last thing you want to be stressing over is how uncomfortable you are so whilst it is important to dress smart, ensure to choose an outfit that you feel confident and comfortable in. At the end of the day, with comfort comes confidence, and confidence is key in interviews!

Experiment

While there is nothing wrong with a plain black dress – everyone will be wearing one and sometimes, it’s good to stand out from the crowd. I’m not talking go crazy with patterns and colours, but experiment with a bit of colour such as burgundy or turquoise – this way you will still remain formal but with a bit more personality to help your future boss remember you. Matching suit jackets and trousers/skirts are another standard interview outfit but again, try edging away from safe colours such black, navy or grey and try some colour – or if you’re feeling brave, opt for a patterned suit.

Shoes, shoes, shoes!

Shoes are an easy part of the outfit to forget but they are just as important as they rest, if not more. Whilst heels are a smart and professional option for footwear, they are not always practical. Perhaps a better alternative to heels are simple ballet flats or loafers – easy to walk in whilst still remaining formal and stylish. However, if you are keen to wear heels making sure you can walk in them is paramount – you definitely do not want to be that girl who is struggling to walk in her shoes.

Accessorise

Accessorising can either make or break an outfit and the key to adding extra personality to your outfit is not going overboard. You don’t need to wear a massive statement necklace to make an impression but instead go for a colourful bag to add something extra to your outfit whilst not taking the spotlight away from you. As for make-up, don’t try too hard and keep it natural! Same goes for nail polish, avoid bright colours and chipped nails at all costs - stick to neutral colours on well-manicured nails.

Erin Gaffey is a StudentJob Blogger, and is currently studying Fashion Communication at Heriot-Watt University. Keep up with Erin by following her on her Instagram and Twitter!

If you enjoyed this blog piece, check out this article by Workopolis on what to wear for a job interview...