What is the correct attire for a Zoom interview?

Knowing what to wear to an interview can be a difficult process at the best of times, but in this ‘new normal’ of Zoom interviews, it can be downright confusing. According to Psyche, the fashion retailer, 80 per cent of candidates believe Zoom interviews are the perfect excuse to dress smart at the top and slouchy on the bottom, because who’s going to see your legs anyway, right?

While it may be tempting to forgo the smart trousers and opt for tracksuits and slippers, this mindset may have a detrimental effect on clinching that role.

Well-dressed is a state of mind

An outfit is more than just clothes, it showcases who we are, what our personality is like and, most importantly, can affect how we feel. While your interviewers might not be able to see your freshly polished shoes and tailored trousers, you’ll know you’re wearing them. By making the effort to get fully dressed in something empowering, you are sending signals to yourself which say, ‘I’m ready for this, I’m making the effort and I can conquer the world if I want to.’

Avoid any unnecessary embarrassment

You never know when you might need to stand up to grab something, and the last thing you need is to be caught short in your pyjama bottoms. Despite being in the comfort of your own home, you’re still on the phone to a potential employer – you want to make the right first impression.

So, wearing trousers is certainly a must during any virtual interview but what else should you consider?

Avoid loud prints

Neutral tones and patterns are your friend for online interviews. Avoid your favourite leopard print dress or bold, floral shirt this time around, it’ll cause less distraction and the interviewer will 100 per cent have their attention on you.

Consider the vacancy you’re being interviewed for

While I would always suggest candidates should err on the smarter side when it comes to virtual wear, with more businesses still working from home and approaching work with a much more casual lens, certain ‘laid-back’ outfits would be acceptable for a lot of companies in this ‘new normal’.

 If you’re unsure of exactly the type of company you’re interviewing for and their expectations, spend some time getting under the skin of its culture. Look at their website to get a feel for the organisation – what images are there and what are the team wearing? This should give you a pretty good indication of how to dress for your interview. 

Give some thought to your environment

Set up a clear space in the most professional looking environment possible in your home – avoid sitting on your bed wherever possible. Set yourself up facing a window, so you get the best lighting on your face and think about what is visible in the background.

While 67 per cent of us report to be less anxious about an interview when it’s conducted over Zoom, there’s certainly a lot more to think about to make that best first impression and land that dream job.

Check out more advice from us on what to wear for Zoom interviews in Psyche's recent blog.