what to wear for a corporate job interview
I agree with the dark suit and jacket. It shows you know how to look professional in a corporate business setting. You can never order dress for a interview. Unless I am told to dress for exercise demostartion, I dress with a suit. In the demostartion, I wear black a synthetic polo, khaki work pants(they stretch some), and workout shoes.
Hello Dorothy Waterman,
I agree with the others that you will want to wear good fitness clothing that would pass in court.
I would not wear more jewelry than a watch and small earrings, no perfumes or makeup, either. Fresh and clean always wears nicely.
I like to wear a short sleeve polo underneath in case I am asked to demonstrate some moves.
Good luck with your interview; let the real you show through with confidence.
Take care,
Natalie
NAPS 2 B Fit
Hi Dorothy,
In my opinion, I’d wear either 1) a conservative dark-colored suit, hose, and low heels OR 2) nice fitness/gym attire, i.e. tennis shoes, long pants, a shirt (no tanks or anything revealing), and a zip-front jacket.
Of course, my first suggestion would be to ask the person you spoke to when you scheduled the interview what he/she recommends you wear. I’ve done that before and that’s totally acceptable; in fact, they appreciate you taking the initiative to ask. As Karin pointed out, some industries are more conservative in their dress codes. Staff at corporate headquarters are often expected to dress a little more formally than those at branch offices, but that’s not always the case. You can also research the dress code for a particular company online if you don’t feel comfortable asking HR directly.
I’d choose one end of the spectrum instead of riding the fence. If you’re in business casual and another candidate with similar skills and experience wears a suit to the interview, you may not get the job. I don’t think you can over-dress for an interview. A suit says you made an investment and took the time to impress, and your new boss obviously realizes you won’t be wearing a suit every day if you’ll be teaching fitness classes. However, I think you could have equal success wearing a more polished version of your everyday gym attire. In my mind, there’s a disconnect between business casual and fitness. Even if the staff in the office wears business casual and might look dressier than you when you interview, chances are that if you get the job, you’ll never wear business casual—you’ll always wear clothing appropriate to your job. If you’re more comfortable and confident in fitness attire than in a suit since that’s what you wear every day (as I am), you may do your best interview in your normal work clothes as opposed to a suit. You’re better off looking self-assured than self-conscious no matter what you wear, so keep that in mind.
Either way, I agree with Karin’s suggestion that you wear minimal jewelry, very little or no perfume.
Best of luck,
Harris
Hi Dorothy,
I would try to come up with a combination of ‘corporate’ and ‘fitness’. Maybe slacks and dress shoes but a sporty top and a jacket that is less formal than a suit jacket but not ‘flower power’. Some jewelry, but nothing ‘loud’. Very little perfume.
It also depends on the corporation you are interviewing for. An accounting or law firm – more conservative. A company where everybody shows up in jeans and t-shirts – more casual. You want to demonstrate that you will ‘fit in’.
I wish you good luck.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com