What to Wear to an Interview for an Engineering Job
Posted April 30th, 2020
How you dress for an engineering interview impacts whether or not you get the job. It’s part of your first impression, so it needs to be on point.
But figuring out how to dress can be a challenge. Often, there isn’t a clear-cut dress code for interviews, and many recommendations are fairly vague. As a result, you commonly have to make your own decisions about your attire.
However, there are certain norms that can help guide you as you select your outfit. If you want to make sure you wear something appropriate for your engineering job interview, here are some best practices.
Research the Company Dress Code
At times, you can learn quite a bit about a company’s dress code, even if you aren’t an employee. Career sites might have reviews that feature details about attire requirements or expectations, so they are worth exploring.
Additionally, any images of employees at work contain clues. By perusing the company’s website and social media pages, you might be able to see pictures or videos of employees working. If so, you can examine their attire to learn about the standards.
You also have the option of asking the hiring manager about the dress code directly. However, if you haven’t already developed a rapport, this can be an intimidating prospect. If that’s the case, all isn’t lost. You’ll just need to use the process below.
Default to Smart Casual
In many cases, engineers aren’t going to work in traditional professional business attire environments. Formal suits just don’t tend to be the standard, so you don’t necessarily have to go that far for an interview.
Instead, opt for an elevated smart casual. It’s a balance between traditional business attire and business casual, making it appropriate in all but the most formal environments. It can even be reasonable for an interview at a casual workplace, as it isn’t overdone.
One of the universal examples of smart casual that works for both men and women is slacks or dress pants, a button-down shirt or collared shirt, and a coordinating blazer or sport coat. Pair that with dress shoes and a matching belt, and make sure any other accessories are somewhat subdued.
As far as colors, it’s usually wise to keep it mainly neutral. Navy blue, forest green, charcoal gray, chocolate brown, camel, and khaki can all be great foundation colors for the pants and jacket. When it comes to the shirt, make sure the color fits but doesn’t get lost. You can go a bit lighter or brighter than the foundation pieces, as long as it isn’t over the top. And don’t be afraid of using a pattern, like a nice gingham check.
The goal is to college sharp, but also stylish. However, you want to avoid the more casual side of smart casual, at least for interviews. While smart casual can include dressy denim jeans, now isn’t the time for that. Some hiring managers might see that as too informal, so it’s better to use the example above to make sure you’re on target.
Bayside Will Help You Nail Your Interview!
If you’d like to learn more about how to nail an engineering job interview, the team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us today and see how our interviewing expertise can benefit you.
