Use your company and industry research to determine what might be most appropriate for the interview. You are still proving yourself, so be thoughtful and show you are taking the opportunity seriously. The following general guide applies to many fields and organizations, but it is appropriate for your attire to reflect your personality, culture, religion, and/or gender identity.
Business Formal
Business Formal is the standard dress code for a job or internship and indicates the following:
- Dark-colored suit with coordinated jacket and pant/skirt
- White or light color and subtle patterned dress shirt, blouse or top
- Dark polished closed-toed shoes with no more than 1-2 inch heels
Business Casual
Often too casual for an interview, following a Business Casual dress code may be appropriate for some settings or interview activities and indicates the following:
- Sports jacket or cardigan with coordinated slacks or skirt
- White or light color and subtle patterned dress shirt, blouse or top
- Polished, closed-toed shoes with heels under 2 inches
Other elements to minimize distractions include:
- Conservative, minimal accessories
- Small to medium size handbag
- Subtle makeup
- Well-kept hair
- Well-groomed appearance
Elements typically not appropriate for an interview include:
- Denim with holes or rips
- Athletic clothing
- Tight or revealing clothing
- Logos and provocative statements or images
- Colognes, perfumes, and body sprays
Resources:
Need free or low-cost professional or business casual attire? Check out:
- The UNL Career Closet: go.unl.edu/careercloset
- Lavender Closet: go.unl.edu/lavendercloset