Best Job Interview Outfits for Women: the Proper Attire for 5 Industries

Congratulations on getting a job interview! This means you’ve passed the first level of your job application—impressing the employer with your resume. 

Now, you need to make a good first impression during the interview. Aside from preparing for tricky job interview questions, you must also plan your attire. To help you out, JobStreet recommends some interview outfits for women that include K-drama inspirations!

But first, let’s discuss the two general looks of a job interview attire:

Business Professional

Typically used in corporate settings or offices with dress codes, business professional requires a polished and tidy look. Think corporate attire such as blazers, crisp button-downs, classic slacks, and pencil-cut skirts. Minimally-embellished flats or loafers are best for this ensemble. Planning to wear heels? Keep it down to a maximum of three inches to maintain a professional look.

Business Casual

A compromise between business formal and plain casual, business casual is the most common (and often safer) choice when going to a job interview. You can still use some elements of business formal pieces, which you can pair with more “relaxed” pieces such as slacks, cardigans, and comfortable flats.

What is an appropriate job interview outfit?

Your outfit depends on a lot of factors including the job level you’re applying for. Business formal is typically recommended for positions that are mid- to senior-levels. This more “serious” look sends the message that you’re ready to take on bigger responsibilities. Meanwhile, business casual may be more compatible with entry-level positions. However, it’s best to research the company’s work culture to know which attire is acceptable. You can also base your outfit on the industry, which JobStreet enumerates.

1. Creative

Examples: Graphic designer, copywriter, game developer, etc. 

Vibe: Creative yet professional

Rules to remember: Showing your personality is important but try to keep it simple. The focus is on your abilities, not your clothes. Inject a fun piece into your ensembles, such as handmade earrings, a colorful scarf, or a unique bag. While this makes you look interesting, the rest of your outfit should convey professionalism.

Recommended pieces:

• Print cardigan

A print cardigan can be interview-friendly when it has somber colors. Choose your print wisely—stay away from loud designs such as animal prints and pastel fruit patterns. Go for subtle or geometric prints that still look work-appropriate. To make sure that you don’t go overboard, keep the rest of your ensemble plain and simple.

• Top with details

Tops with interesting details such as asymmetric collars, buttons, bows, and scrunched sleeves tell employers that you’re a bit different from the rest. As creatives, you’re expected to think out of the box but still within certain parameters. Communicate this message with a unique outfit detail that blends into an overall professional aura.

• K-drama Inspiration

Think Seo Dal-mi played by Bae Suzy in the drama Start-Up. Her character is passionate and hard-working, balancing a variety of part-time jobs. Her look is youthful, thanks to her cyan pants paired with an orange skinny belt. Still, these complement her other pieces which are in earth colors. Though her cross-body hobo bag is a bit of a statement, it doesn’t distract because of its light and neutral color. 

2. Corporate

Examples: Finance assistant, associate attorney, executive assistant, etc.

Vibe: Smart and competent

Rules to remember: Go for a chic outfit that says you’re relevant, intelligent, and confident. Once again, keep it simple. You don’t have to go all out on a power outfit, especially if you’re applying for junior-level roles. You can still spice up your outfit with soft colors and eye-catching details.

Recommended pieces:

• Button-down shirt

Play it safe with button-down shirts, which have become a bit more adventurous over the years. You don’t have to stick to white; just as long as you pair it with a plain bottom, you can get away with other colors such as blue, lavender, salmon, and many others. But keep the neckline conservative—and if you’re going with a sheer silk chiffon fabric, wear a camisole underneath.

• Pencil skirt

If you like wearing skirts, then this should be a staple in your corporate wardrobe. Its fitted cut instantly makes you look both professional and feminine. When it comes to length, we recommend its hem to be an inch above the knee or longer. Don’t wear too-short skirts as these hike up your legs when you’re seated.

• K-drama Inspiration

Starring Park Min-young, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim? features Secretary Kim and her pretty ensemble of button-downs and pencil skirts. Notice how she favors pastel colors that give her a soft look. While the pencil skirt has little variation except for color, her blouses incorporate tie-necks, ruffles, and poet sleeves that give her a refreshing appeal.

3. Tech

Examples: Programmer, software developer, software engineer, etc.

Vibe: Creative and resourceful

Rules to remember: There are no rules for techies in general. It would look over the top if you attended your interview in a suit, but anything in the relaxed casual range would work just fine. 

Recommended pieces:

• Navy blue blazer 

A simple white top and dark jeans get an instantly polished look when you throw in a navy blue blazer. What makes navy blue work? It’s not as harsh as black and gives your ensemble a sophisticated yet sharp feel. You can wear this blazer with almost anything—slacks, a skirt, a button-down blouse, or even a dress.

• Khaki bottom

A step above wearing jeans for an interview is a pair of khaki pants or a skirt. Khaki is a neutral hue that goes well with almost any light or dark color, including the navy blue blazer mentioned above. But it’s probably best to refrain from matching your khaki bottom with a khaki top, similar to a military uniform.

• K-drama Inspiration

Nope, we’re not playing favorites, but Bae Suzy’s fashion in Start-Up is so nice that we had to show it twice! This time, she’s rocking a navy-blue blazer paired with a conservative sky-blue button-down. With her hair down, she still looks feminine—and at the same time, reliable and competent, which are key traits in the tech world.

4. Sales/Retail/Customer Service

Examples: sales representative, marketing associate, customer service representative, etc.

Vibe: Likable and sincere

Rules to remember: Working in a client or public-facing role, your primary focus is to quickly gain the other person’s trust and respect. If they don’t warm up to you, you won’t get very far with your sales pitch or effort to solve their problem. Your choice of interview outfit should be smart and businesslike while exuding warm and friendly vibes.

Recommended pieces:

• Close-toed shoes

If you’re going to a job interview, closed shoes are your best option. Aside from rounding off a polished outfit, these give you a professional appearance. Imagine your neon-colored pedicure peeping out of your sandals; the interviewer may get distracted and remember you not for your credentials but for your toes!

• Tasteful dress

Though a little black dress is the safest choice, you may experiment with color when wearing a dress. Make sure that the cut is conservative—not too tight or showing too much skin. Also, it’s much easier to throw on a dress than decide on how to match tops and bottoms.

• K-drama Inspiration

In Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Shin Min Ah plays Yoon Hye-jin, a dentist. Her customer-facing role requires her to look polished, but she can still opt for a more relaxed look. This pink dress mimics a button-down top but has puff sleeves that give it a more playful vibe. With this statement dress, you don’t need to add accessories. Just put on a pair of simple earrings and ballet flats, and you’re good to go. 

5. Administrative

Examples: Human resource staff, administrative assistant, receptionist, etc.

Vibe: Dependable and efficient

Rules to remember: Administrative work means interacting with different people, so a polished look is a must. In this case, it’s best to dress on the conservative side. You’ll be reflecting the company image whether you’re dealing with co-workers or outside personnel.

Recommended pieces:

• Black dress pants

Black slacks can both be business casual and business professional, depending on how you dress them up. A button-down shirt and a blazer can give it a formal look, while a pastel-colored blouse or a printed top can make it look more casual.

• Tailored dress

Try a nicely-cut dress that fits close to the body. Collars and buttons complete the formal look that's work-appropriate.

• K-drama Inspiration

Son Ye Jin plays Cha Mi-jo, a dermatologist in Thirty Nine. To project a competent image to her clients, she wears top and skirt ensembles in monochromatic colors. Check out this light-blue outfit cinched with a skinny belt in the same color. This gives her a professional yet approachable image.

Dress to Impress!

When choosing an outfit, comfort comes first. Fabric that makes your skin itch or a too-tight waist can distract you from the interview. When you feel comfortable in your interview clothes, you gain confidence, letting you answer the questions with ease.

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