A Guide to Being Interview-Ready for the Summertime

The way to prepare for a job interview during the summer season is to first familiarize yourself with some of the best outfits and clothing pieces for an interview. Take a look through your closet; is there anything in there that will be suitable for a job interview or is it time to update your wardrobe? Has it been a long time since your last job interview and you’re not sure what is considered appropriate job interview attire anymore? Not to worry! We’ve come up with a handful of invaluable tips that will help you piece together an impressive job interview outfit.

Dress For The Type of Job You’re Trying to Get

To say you should dress in professional attire is too broad when it comes to what you should wear for a job interview. A better way to style your interview outfit is to consider what type of job the interview is for. Not every job interview is for an office position. Is this a job in the food and service industry? In a manufacturing building? In the rugged outdoors?

If you were applying for a job that requires you to spend lots of time in the wilderness, you likely wouldn’t wear flip flops and a tall maxi dress. With all that said, before you even consider what clothing pieces to put together for an interview outfit, think about the work setting; that can act as a jumping-off point to help you show up in an appropriate, interview-ready outfit. Even better, do a little research on the hiring company, see what sort of dress code they have for their office setting, and dress accordingly.

Dress For The Season

It should go without saying that when you are attending an interview in the summer, your thick winter boots and long, wool dress pants wouldn't be a part of your ensemble. That said, you also wouldn’t go to the other extreme and arrive in comfy casual clothes either. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to put together a job interview outfit in which you can feel confident, comfortable, and professional. If you are applying for a job at a trendy start-up company, prioritize wearing an outfit that is just as fashionable as it is professional.

Study up on office attire at said company. Is it a more professional and conservative establishment or is it hip and casual? Look up the company’s social media pages and see what other employers are wearing. After getting a sense of their clothing style, browse around for chic summertime outfits like a floral midi skirt and a flattering women's short sleeve blouse finished off with a colorful pair of chunky heel sandals. Short-sleeve summer dresses also almost always make for great job interview attire during the summer season.

Dress Up With Your Outfit as a Feature, Not The Main Attraction

An outfit that is too over the top regarding fashion will end up being distracting and take away from what you're there for: to prove how qualified you are for the job. Stick to tasteful pieces and articles of clothing that will serve to amplify your professional disposition and personality rather than overshadow it. You are there to show off your credentials and everything you have to bring to the hiring company. While you are looking through your closet or shopping online, keep these things in mind. You want to stick with an outfit that accurately represents who you are as a person and an outfit that will make you feel your best.

Practice Your Job Interview In The Outfit You Plan to Wear

The last thing anyone wants during a job interview is to feel self-conscious or uncomfortable when they are already feeling a tad nervous. If you end up wearing an article of clothing that is too tight and restrictive or made with material that is itchy and aggravating, it can become distracting to you while you need to put all your attention and energy into acing the interview. Instead, stick to polished, sharp-looking outfits that you know you will be comfortable in.

Before you show up to the interview in the outfit you plan to wear, spend 20 minutes sitting in it and envisioning yourself in the job interview. In a sense, we are telling you to test drive your outfit before committing to wearing it to the job interview. You can get any kinks or unforeseen issues out of the way when you practice your job interview in the outfit beforehand.

Know What to Avoid

Unless you are showing up to a job interview for a position as a personal trainer at the gym, it’s best to leave your athletic leggings at home. Avoid any clothing that is too casual and save it for a day when you’re lounging around the house.

The same can be said for too many accessories; leave the wide-brimmed floppy hat at home or the big, bold sunglasses and instead, accessories with tasteful, minimalist jewelry or a sharp-looking wristwatch.