How To Dress For An Interview on a Budget

Polished and professional without breaking the bank.

"The first impression at any interview happens in the first 30 seconds and it’s based entirely on your attire."

Hello SB! Class is in session because, in today’s article, I am going to share some tips and tricks on how to dress for the job of your dreams on a budget. I want you to look and feel your best, impress your potential employer while still saving some money. 

Classy yet Chic Outfit

As much as I love to have fun, when it comes to an interview, l want to be a bit more cautious. To be safe, dress more conservatively and classy. No, THIS DOES NOT MEAN BORING! You can still dress to show your personality but ultimately, you want the focus to be on your qualifications! A fitted blazer like this one from M.M.LaFleur is perfect and a great place to start to build your outfit. The blazer is great because it signals business-seriousness yet not too conservative.  Keeping the colors neutral is a MUST. So, go for the grays, black or beige. A white clean shirt under your blazer brings the whole look together. I finished the look off with fitted trousers.

Shoes

I highly recommend a kitten heel. It is my go-to when it comes to interviews. A stiletto or a chunky heel pair of shoes can give the wrong impression unless you are interviewing somewhere where expression of personal style is a must (like in the fashion industry), keep it simple. A plain closed-toe heel like the one I’m wearing here is perfect. You can't go wrong with Black, but you can also go for beige or red like I did here if you are feeling a bit riskier. 

"If you notice bad manicure on yourself, I promise so does the employer."

Hair and makeup

Nice and neat is, of course, a must. Keep your makeup a neutral bronzed no-makeup-makeup look. Nothing too over-done. If you notice bad manicure on yourself, I promise so does the employer. Avoid strong perfume scent as well. You certainly don’t want to be a reason for your future employer’s allergy attack. Remember, modesty is the key here. 

Accessories

Wearing elegant accessories pieces is imperative. A simple watch can be a great touch to your image. Remember, simplicity is the key here. So, when it comes to earrings, I’ll go with a dainty stud or pearls for a more sophisticated look. Nothing too distracting because the focus should be on your fabulous resume. A bag like this one that looks expensive with a clear shape is a nice touch to your outfit. 

"Do your research on how the current employees dress for the company you are interviewing for."

I finished the look off with these fitted trousers, also from M.M.LaFleur. They say the first impression at any interview happens in the first 30 seconds and it’s based entirely on your attire. Thus, why you should choose your clothes wisely if you don’t want to be out of the race before the interview even begins. All in all, your attire should be close to the company’s dress code as possible, so do your research on how the current employees dress for the company you are interviewing for. 

I hope you enjoyed the styling! Thank you so much for reading and have a great weekend! See you next Friday.