You did it! You got an internship interview. This is your chance to meet face-to-face with the internship supervisor and wow him/her with your amazing portfolio and skills. But before your interviewer even sets eyes on your portfolio or hears about your top notch skills, they’ll see your outfit. Don’t worry, there are a few easy tips- 5 to be exact-for making your interview outfit stand out, in a good way!
1: It’s always best to be overdressed. Now, I don’t mean you should get decked out in a formal gown, but you should dress up more than you would on a day to day basis. Even if you’ve been told that the office dress code is more casual, it’s always best to be dressed professionally. You can’t go wrong with a nice pair of dress pants and a blouse, even if the rest of the office is dressed in jeans.
2: Be comfortable. I know your heels are great, trust me, but they’re not the best thing to wear on a job interview. You never know how much walking you’ll be doing. The interviewer may take you on a tour of the building, or out to lunch, and you’ll look foolish if you’re hobbling around with hurting feet.
3. Dress modestly. Sheer tops are a big trend, but that doesn’t mean they’re appropriate for your internship. Same goes for miniskirts or cutout dresses. Once you’ve had a chance to gauge the office dress code, then you can take some risks. With the interview it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
4. Iron, iron, iron. No matter how nice your blouse and dress pants are, they’ll look horrible if they are completely wrinkled. Be sure to set out your outfit the night before. Try it on to make sure everything fits and there are no holes, then take an extra 5 minutes to run over any wrinkles with an iron. You’ll look, and feel, much more professional in a nicely pressed shirt.
5. Don’t be afraid to accessorize. Your outfit it going to be a bit simple, so show your personality with a fun piece of jewelry. Pair a colorful statement necklace with your button down, or cuff your blazer sleeves and throw on a nice bangle. For those of you who aren’t big on statement jewelry, try a fun shoulder bag, you’ll need it to hold your portfolio and copies of your résumé.
If this seems like a lot, don’t worry! Just grab a pair of dress pants, a button down, a fun necklace and you’ve got a winning combo!