For the past two and half years, I have interviewed hundreds of people through Zoom, Skype, WeChat, Line, Teams, and various other applications. Although some do not prefer having an interview through video, it’ll be the most common way for businesses to meet with a candidate from here on out. Video interviews are more convenient, less time-consuming, and help show whether a candidate is somewhat tech-savvy. Most traditional interviewing methods have carried over from the brick-and-mortar office to the video chat room. With that being said, there has been an exception.
Many candidates I interview no longer dress professionally. Is this a deal breaker, or do I automatically disqualify them from the position when they appear without dressing professionally? Absolutely not. Everyone has different economic and cultural backgrounds, which may affect what they wear to an interview. That being said, on most occasions dressing professionally may only improve your chances of being hired, not weaken them.
Dress for success
I have interviewed people in T-shirts, hats, tank tops, with no shirt on, and in various locations like outside on a bike or at a club. (It is safe to say the guy without the shirt did not receive an offer.) Although I never bring it up, it makes me wonder why these candidates chose to wear what they did. Deon Sanders once said, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good”. Dressing professionally for an interview, whether online or in person, will reflect your professionalism as a future employee. First impressions matter, and the image you first present will carry throughout the hiring process.
Everyone wants to hire professional candidates, no matter their level of experience. An easy way to do this is to wear professional attire to the interview, whether online or offline. Are you worried about the price of expensive clothing? Don’t be. The large majority of hiring managers will not know the quality or price tag of your outfit. (Nor should they care) Wearing professional attire is not about cost but about whether you took the initiative in doing so. By dressing more professionally, I guarantee you will have a better chance of securing that new position.