What to Wear to a College Interview (2023)

FAQs

What should I wear in college interview? ›

Think black slacks or a modest black skirt, with a solid-colored collared shirt, blouse, or sweater. It should be very nice, but not overdone. Jewelry should be nice and professional, not overstated. Perfume or cologne should be understated.

No flip flops or open-toed shoes, no spiky stiletto heels, no sneakers, and no white athletic socks with dark dress shoes. The casual part of business casual means your child should be comfortable in their clothing. There's no need for a tie or three-piece suit.

Can You Wear Jeans to a College Interview? No – with one caveat. Depending on the fit, wash, and condition, a pair of black jeans can work with a business casual look. You'll want to make up for it by making sure you wear a nice shirt or blouse.

At minimum, smart jeans and a long sleeved shirt are acceptable, but if in doubt wear a plain suit (both men and women). Hoodies, beanies and caps are a no-go zone. If you're partial to a hat, indulge in a smart one, but take it off for the meeting. Avoid anything too tight, too loose or ill-fitting.

The way you dress for an interview gives potential employers their first impression of how you present yourself professionally. Even if you look great on paper, if you don't dress appropriately for an interview, you give the impression that you lack respect for yourself and those you are meeting with.

Wear: Black

“As a high-powered color, save it for high-powered interviews,” reports fashion brand Who What Wear. “Because black can come off as powerful and aloof, it's ideal for top jobs and managerial positions, but it's not great if you're applying for something in customer service, retail, or anything entry-level.”

If you have long hair, consider putting it up in a bun or ponytail to keep it out of the way. Long, flowing waves are nice, but be sure that they're styled well enough to hold up during an interview. If you're not sure, a bun or ponytail will look fine. Colored hair shouldn't be a problem for most schools.

Overdressing for an interview is usually less of a concern than underdressing. You are more likely to turn off a hiring manager by dressing in a way that shows insincerity for the opportunity. It is important to consider the standard dress of a potential workplace, though.

Most interviews run approximately 30 minutes to an hour. Students are sometimes told that the sign of a good interview is a long one.

Are black jeans inappropriate for an interview? ›

A safe bet is a very dark wash of denim or a black pair. If you chose to wear denim like this, make sure they have a polished fit. Men can also wear a dark or black pair of jeans with a blazer if they think it's appropriate. Always wear a dressier top if you are wearing jeans for your interview.

On the list of items students should never wear, were swimsuits, furry shoes (slippers), sunglasses, visible bra straps, leggings as pants, thongs (in conjunction with low-rise jeans) and junderwear (also known as jean shorts).

Neutral colors - navy, gray, black, and brown - are the best colors for a job interview. White is also an excellent color for a blouse or button-down shirt. You can certainly add a pop of color to a neutral interview outfit.

Dress pants, pencil skirts, knee-length dresses, blazers, neutral or light-colored blouses, sweaters, cardigans, tights, and suits are all acceptable forms of interview attire. Dress shoes should be closed-toed heels, flats, or short boots.

Answer “what is your greatest weakness” by choosing a skill that is not essential to the job you're applying to and by stressing exactly how you're practically addressing your weakness. Some skills that you can use as weaknesses include impatience, multitasking, self-criticism, and procrastination.

Don't talk about how amazing you are. Instead, talk about how are you going to make the other students amazing. Lean on who you are, your experiences, your skills, and your talents.

A simple formula for answering “Tell me about yourself”

Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and perhaps a big recent accomplishment. Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention previous experience that's relevant to the job and company you're applying for.

Yellow, green, orange and purple

Orange, in particular, is considered the most inappropriate color for an interview and can come across as overly confident and unprofessional.

More Interview Tips for College Admission

Ask questions. Express your interest in the college. Create your own list of questions to ask a college interviewer while you have their attention. Most interviewers are alumni/ae.

Do nails matter in an interview? ›

Avoid chipped or multicolored nails, she says, as well as artwork, gems, glitter and particularly dark or bright colors. Even if your navy manicure looks fabulous, your interviewer should be wondering where you'll fit on the org chart – not where you you get your nails done.

The color of your hair should not really matter to a prospective employer however it really does. It is not that they do not want you to dye your hair, it's that they don't want your hair to be something out of this world working for their companies.

The answer isn't always cut and dry, but jeans are generally never appropriate interview attire, even if you're a student, you're applying for a part-time or hourly wage job, or you're interviewing with a tech company.

Keep it simple with a ponytail

Instead of wearing your hair down, wear a classy bun or ponytail, or twist your hair into a smooth, long braid to keep your hair away from your face. Classy buns, ponytails or a long braid can give a professional look to your style while keeping you comfortable.

If an interviewer perceives your hairstyle as rebellious or unprofessional, it could be held against you. This isn't to say that you won't get the job because you wear your hair in a particular style. But if you don't look put together (i.e., a professional look), your first impression could be ruined.

“I'm a little nervous.” Acknowledging that your nerves are getting the better of you might actually help you shake off your nervousness. Most interviewers have been there, too, at some point in their career and will understand.

They rarely hurt you, and in some cases, they can make up for lackluster GPA and test scores. Interviews not only demonstrate your interest in a college, which can boost your acceptance odds, but you also gain a competitive edge over other applicants who opted not to do an interview.

The interview is rarely the deciding factor in whether the college will accept you, but it can give a representative from the college a chance to get to know you better. And the interview gives you a chance to: Show your interest in the college. Share information about yourself beyond what's listed on your transcript.

Should I wear jeans or leggings to an interview? ›

It depends on the dress code of the company you are interviewing with. If the company has a casual dress code, then jeans are probably acceptable. However, if the company has a more formal dress code, you might want to wear dress pants or a skirt.

Many professional industries have moved towards business/smart casual attire in the workplace, helping to increase employee comfort in the office. During your interview, the employers will want you to feel comfortable, so try choosing an outfit that helps to reflect that business/smart casual look and feel.

No matter the company, you should always refrain from wearing torn clothing, like ripped jeans, even if that is a style. Other clothing choices to avoid include: Denim and jeans should be avoided because it appears unprofessional in most settings. Graphic T-shirts, especially novelty shirts or anything with art.

Remember that comfort should always come first. Load up on jeans, t-shirts, button down shirts, sweatshirts, and outerwear such as utility jackets and denim jackets. Also, don't forget to pair your college outfit with stylish sneakers and backpacks or over-sized handbags, to fit all your daily essentials.

If a woman feels confident and comfortable in leggings, then there is no reason why she should stop wearing them on campus. However, if a woman does not feel comfortable in leggings or feels self-conscious about her body, then she may want to consider wearing something else on campus.

Being well dressed influences your body language and improves the way you carry yourself. As a student, your impression on your teachers and batch mates is important. A sloppy dresser will never be able to make an impression as good as someone who is nicely dressed.

Blue, black, grey, brown and white are the best, while orange is universally considered the worst colour for an interview. Also avoid yellow, green and purple.

Greet your interviewers and tell your name to start the formal introduction. It is always a good idea to prepare for this most expected question beforehand. Do not hesitate to include some informal, personal information, such as your hobbies, or what you do on weekends.

According to 2,099 hiring managers and human resource professionals who participated in a CareerBuilder survey, blue and black are the best colors to wear to a job interview, and orange is the worst.

How should I dress for an interview in 2022? ›

Your job interview attire should fit “just right” for your body and style. Whatever you wear shouldn't be too large or small. Likewise, it shouldn't be tight or baggy. If you're unsure about a color palette, neutral colors like black, beige, blue, gray, and off-whites are always a safe bet.

Bare legs are not allowed, even for long skirts that practically touch the floor. Every organization is different. How would you know what to wear to a job interview before you get there and see how people are dressed?

For most companies, conservative interview attire is a safe option. Choose clean, well-fitting clothing that evokes confidence and professionalism. No matter the company, you should always refrain from wearing torn clothing, like ripped jeans, even if that is a style.

Wear khakis, corduroys, jeans or other dressy pants, a dress or polo shirt with a collar, a belt and socks (not athletic socks). A sweater or sweater vest would be appropriate in cooler weather. No boxer shorts showing and no jewelry other than a watch.

Some clothing should always be avoided when dressing for an interview. This includes hoodies/ sweatshirts, jeans (especially jeans with holes), t-shirts, sweat-pants, sandals, and tennis shoes. Revealing clothing or clothing that is bright or distracting should also be avoided.

Don't dress casually

Casual dress means something different to everyone. Yoga pants, pajamas, wrinkled clothing, jeans, shorts, hoodies, and t-shirts are all too casual for a job interview.