Due to the coronavirus and global pandemic millions of people have lost their jobs and some on temporary leave. That means a lot of people are looking for jobs even during stay at home orders. In effort to stay safe video interviews have been the new norm. So how do you prepare sartorially for the big day? Virtual interviews don’t have to be scary, but it’s important to choose the right thing to wear for a video interview. So without further ado I present you my tips for what to wear for a video interview! I hope you enjoy!
Tip 1- Stick to soft colors, instead of brights or bold prints. You don’t want to distract your future employer on the video call, and softer colors are easier on the eyes especially on screen.
Tip 2- I suggest wearing lipstick! Lipstick always helps me feel empowered, and gives me confidence. Don’t be afraid to go for a red, it can really bring your face to life. Calling attention to your face is a good thing!
Tip 3- Dress up like your dressing up for an in-person interview. Even though the camera only sees your upper half it would be a terrible mistake if you wore sweatpants. Psychologically it helps to feel prepared from head to toe. That includes shoes!
Tip 4- One of my favorite pairings for a professional setting is a blazer. If you have a power suit try that on! Try to avoid wearing all white though as it might wash you out on screen. Wearing a black blazer is perfect, navy or a subtle pinstripe or plaid.
Tip 5- Another easy outfit idea is a blouse. Try on a blouse that covers the shoulder, sleeveless is OK but try to avoid any spaghetti straps. You can pair it with jeans, that’s OK for a video interview. These days trying on a pair of jeans is a HUGE accomplishment. Amiright?
Tip 6- In terms of accessories, keep it light, you don’t want to be distracting your potential future employer. Everything is much more sensitive virtually and you want to be easy on the eyes. I suggest a delicate or fine necklace, and studs or small hoops. You also don’t want to distract yourself if you have too many bracelets making noise when you move your hands around.
Tip 7- Pull your hair back. Once again, you don’t want to be distracting or distracted by touching your hair constantly and you want to show your face clearly. I suggest a braid, half-up look, or low messy bun. If you are set on leaving your hair down make sure it’s combed neatly, and tucked behind your ears.
Tip 8- In terms of nail color, it’s OK to have no polish on, but remove any chipped nail polish. This will help with your overall appearance and how “polished” you look which will reflect in your presentation. First impressions are a big deal, so these small preparations can go a long way.
Tip 9- A dress can be an easy option if you want a complete look, without having to worry about figuring out pants, and a top. It’s one of my favorite go-to’s for interviews because it’s a one and done situation. I love a striped dress because it’s a subtle print and classic. You can’t go wrong.
Tip 10- Make sure you’re not too hot, or cold. Have a cardigan nearby if you get cold during your video interview, or make sure you can easily remove a layer if you get too hot. I know I always sweat when I do interviews so be mindful about that when planning what you wear! Since you will most likely be in the comfort of your home you have the flexibility to have props around you just in case aka a cardigan nearby or behind your chair.
Bonus tip- Lighting is huge. If you can’t sit in front of a window. And I mean your face is towards the window not the other way around otherwise you’ll be back lit and no one will be able to see you. Try buying selfie lights and attaching them to the corners of your screen! You can buy a proper laptop selfie light, or buy two cell phone lights and they do the trick! Here’s a shopping link for the cell phone selfie lights!
I hope you enjoyed my tips for what to wear for a video interview. The world’s norms are changing fast with technology evolving but also because we’ve had to face a global pandemic. It’s scary, but I believe there’s a silver lining. A virtual interview can go in your favor because of flexibility especially with what you wear and how you present yourself in the best light on camera!
Thanks for reading my post, “What To Wear For A Video Interview”! Feel free to share with friends and family. Also, I’d love to hear from you! Drop me a comment below to let me know your thoughts or suggestions, and don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already to keep in touch!
For more fun reads check out my other posts here! I think you’ll like my post on “Business Casual Outfits For Women“!
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Photos by Anna Andersen
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