Internship Interview Attire 101

By Kristen Peuvion on January 8, 2015

This article is brought to you by Dream Careers, the largest global internship program for college students offering all-inclusive programs in 11 cities worldwide. To learn more about Dream Careers, please visit us at SummerInternships.com.

Now that second semester is upon us, it is time to start thinking about summer plans, which usually entails a summer internship.

Summer internships are a crucial part of college and will do wonders for your career after college, and whether you like it or not, now is the time to start planning and interviewing for your desired position.

image via http://www.ama.asn.au

But the interview process can be really intimidating for even the most experienced interviewer. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into an interview. You have to think about questions you want to ask them, prepare yourself for any questions they’ll have about you and not to mention, what you’re going to wear!

What you wear to an interview is almost as important as what you say. Interviewing is all about presenting the best, most desirable you, which whether you like fashion or not, includes your clothing. While there is some wiggle room in what you wear depending on the position you’re interviewing for, there are some steadfast guidelines to stick to no matter what.

Your interview look should above all be professional, flattering and true to your style. If that’s not clear enough though, here are some fail-proof outfit ideas that will work for any interview!

For the guys

Unfortunately for guys, there’s not a ton of different things you can wear for an interview. Unless told otherwise, you’re going to have to wear a suit. It’s professional and flattering, but how exactly do you stand out or show your personal style in a suit?

image via career.opcd.wfu.edu

Well, there may be strict guidelines about wearing a suit, but when it comes to color of the suit, your shirt and tie and accessories, you actually have a lot of freedom to make your look whatever you want it to be.

First and foremost, though, make sure you have a well-fitting suit. You can instantly tell when a suit doesn’t fit you right so it’s important to get yours tailored specifically for you. A suit is something you will wear over and over and over again, so it’s worth investing in.

For interview purposes, the best colors are navy, black and gray. Avoid khaki because it could potentially come off as too casual.

image via pinterest.com

Once you have a suit, you can have some fun with the shirt and tie. A lot of times guys go with solid color shirts and ties in a black, red, blue or gray color scheme, which is classic, but also not very exciting or original.

Some less tried and true options include a navy gingham shirt with a gray tie.

image via pinterest.com

Or try going for a pattern on both the shirt and tie. The key to this look is by only choosing one bold pattern and making the other pattern more subtle. You don’t want your look to be overwhelming.

image via pinterest.com

Another idea is to try a color scheme that isn’t so classic. Try something like purple or green instead of blue or red.

image via pinterest.com

The bottom line is once you have a suit, all you need to do is find a shirt and tie that fits your personal style and makes you stand out in a good way. With those tips in mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect interview outfit.

For the girls

Girls have much more freedom when it comes to interview attire, which can make it both harder and easier to find something that works for you. There are so many different things you can wear, which can be overwhelming, but all of those options also makes it easier to find something that is flattering and true to your style.

Take notes from the boys and wear a classic pant suit. The same tips for making this look your own for the guys apply here. Choose a shirt color that you really like, but avoid anything super bright, garish and low-cut. Also accessorize, but avoid statement necklaces and anything that you might fidget with.

image via pinterest.com

Another outfit to try is a pencil skirt and blouse. Depending on how conservative the company you’re interviewing with is, you may or may not need a blazer as well. Do your research and find out whether a blazer is needed or not.

image via pinterest.com

If neither of those outfits seems right for you, a dress is always a good option. When choosing a dress for an interview, you’ll want to make sure the length is, at the very shortest, right above the knee. Any shorter and you’ll give the impression that you don’t take the interview seriously.

Another good idea is to wear a blazer or cardigan over the dress because you generally shouldn’t show your entire arm. It’s also important to choose a classic dress style in a color or pattern that isn’t overwhelming.

image via ohmyfashh.com

Lastly, whatever you decide to wear to your interview, ensure that your shoes match up to the rest of your outfit. Heels should be low to mid height because high heels leave you vulnerable to looking like you’re going to go out with friends afterwards; plus you might not be able to walk in super high heels.

Take note of these interview outfit options and you’ll have one less thing to worry about for your upcoming internship interview. These outfits will have you looking professional and fashion forward and you’ll be one step closer to landing that perfect summer internship!

Looking for a top internship in an exciting city? Enroll in Dream Careers and guarantee yourself an internship and a fun summer in your choice of 11 cities globally. To visit our website, please click here.

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