First Impressions Matter: What to Wear to Your Next Sales Job Interview
You only get one chance to make a great first impression. When it comes to a sales job interview, what you wear plays a big part in the initial impression you make on the hiring manager. Your interview attire is an important way to convey your professionalism, attention to detail, and good judgment.
As Jenna Lyons, former president and executive creative director of J.Crew, once said, "Personal style is about taking a risk, trying something unexpected, and having fun with fashion, but always being true to yourself." Your interview outfit should represent the best, most polished version of your personal style.
So what exactly should you wear to nail that first impression and increase your chances of landing the sales job? Let‘s break it down with these essential tips:
Dress to Impress: Business Professional vs Business Casual
Before you start putting together your interview outfit, determine the company‘s dress code. Is the office environment more formal or laid-back? A good rule of thumb is to dress one level up from the company‘s daily dress code.
For most sales interviews, it‘s best to err on the side of overdressing and go for a classic, professional look. Think a well-tailored suit in a neutral color like navy or charcoal grey. You want to look polished and put-together, like you‘re ready to step into the role and start contributing to the team.
However, some more casual workplaces, like startups or creative agencies, may not expect you to show up in a full suit. In this case, business casual attire like dress slacks and a button-down shirt or blouse is perfectly appropriate. You can use the company‘s website and social media profiles to get a sense of the office vibe and dress code.
When in doubt, It‘s always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. As the saying goes, "dress for the job you want, not the job you have." Showing up in a sharp outfit conveys that you‘re serious about the opportunity.
Look the Part: Men‘s Interview Attire
Guys, here‘s your formula for a winning sales interview outfit:
- Suit in navy, charcoal grey, or black (make sure it‘s well-fitted and not too loose or tight)
- White or light colored dress shirt
- Silk tie in a tasteful, not-too-flashy color or pattern
- Black or brown leather shoes (opt for lace-ups over slip-ons)
- Dark socks that match your suit
- Simple yet polished accessories like a tie bar, cufflinks, or watch
A few extra tips: Make sure your suit is wrinkle-free and your shirt is crisp and freshly pressed. Facial hair should be neatly groomed. Go easy on the cologne and avoid anything too strong-smelling. Your accessories should complement your outfit, not distract from it.
Style for Success: Women‘s Interview Attire
Ladies, you‘ve got tons of great options when it comes to dressing for a sales interview. The key is to keep it professional, polished, and not too revealing. Here are some ideas:
- Suit in navy, charcoal grey, or black (pant suit or skirt suit, just make sure the skirt is knee-length)
- Dress in a solid, neutral color like navy or charcoal grey
- Blouse or button-down shirt in white or a light, neutral color
- Closed-toe pumps or flats in black, navy, or nude
- Simple jewelry like stud earrings and a delicate necklace
- Pantyhose in a neutral color or black tights if wearing a skirt
- Professional hairstyle and daytime-appropriate makeup
Avoid anything too tight, short, low-cut, or brightly colored. Nails should be clean and manicured with a neutral polish. Opt for a structured bag that‘s large enough to fit a notepad and copies of your resume.
What Not to Wear: Interview Outfit Mistakes to Avoid
Just as important as knowing what to wear to a sales job interview is knowing what NOT to wear. Here are some common outfit mistakes to avoid:
- Anything wrinkled, stained, ripped, or worn-out
- Ill-fitting or too-tight clothing
- Flashy colors or dramatic prints
- Overly casual items like jeans, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops
- Revealing clothing like short skirts, low-cut tops, sheer fabrics
- Too much jewelry, perfume/cologne, or makeup
- Hats or informal accessories
- Open-toed shoes or very high heels
- Mismatched or unpolished shoes
- Wild hair colors or styles
When in doubt, go the conservative route. You want your experience and qualifications to be the focus of the interview, not your clothes. It‘s better to play it safe than risk making a poor impression with overly bold or inappropriate attire.
Consider the Company Culture
While a polished, professional look is always a good choice, be sure to tailor your outfit to the specific workplace. A suit may be standard attire at a financial firm, but could come across as stuffy and out-of-touch at a casual tech startup.
Do your homework on the company culture before selecting your interview outfit. In addition to checking out the company website and social media accounts, reach out to your network to see if you know anyone who works there or has interviewed with them in the past. They may be able to give you valuable insight into the workplace vibe and dress code.
If you‘re interviewing at a fashion-forward company, you may want to step up your style game and select an outfit with clean lines and modern silhouettes. Creative companies often appreciate seeing some personality shining through. Just make sure you still look polished and put-together.
The Extra Details: Grooming Tips
Your carefully selected interview outfit won‘t matter much if your overall appearance is sloppy or unkempt. Here are some grooming best practices to ensure you look your best:
- Schedule a haircut 1-2 weeks before the interview; trim any facial hair
- Make sure your hair is clean and neatly styled; avoid overly trendy styles
- Brush your teeth and use mouthwash for fresh breath
- Shower that morning or the night before; wear deodorant
- Trim and clean under your fingernails
- Get your suit or dress professionally cleaned and pressed
- Shine or buff your shoes to remove any scuffs
- Carry breath mints and a stain removal pen for any last-minute issues
It‘s the little things that add up to a well-groomed, professional appearance. By taking care of these extra details, you‘ll walk into the interview feeling confident and put-together.
Your Attitude Matters Too
The goal of your interview attire is to look and feel confident. When you know you look good, you‘ll naturally exude self-assurance, and that can give you an extra edge in the interview. Your body language will be more poised and your answers to questions more self-assured.
That‘s not to say a killer interview outfit is a substitute for solid preparation. You still need to research the company, practice common interview questions, and know your selling points. But feeling good in your clothing will help you focus more on impressing the interviewer with your sales skills and experience than worrying about how you look.
Be Prepared With Options
Don‘t wait until the morning of the interview to pick out your outfit. You should have your interview attire cleaned, ironed, and ready to go at least 2-3 days in advance. Lay out the complete outfit head to toe, including accessories and undergarments.
It‘s also a good idea to have a few different interview appropriate outfits ready to go in your closet. This gives you options based on the specific company and some backup pieces if something happens to your first choice (stains, missing buttons, ripped seams). Make sure you try on the complete outfits ahead of time to verify the fit and see how all the pieces look together.
Get a Second Opinion
Before the big day, get some outside input on your interview outfit. Ask a trusted friend, family member, or mentor for their honest opinion on your look. It can be hard to objectively assess your own appearance, so a second set of eyes is invaluable.
Have them verify that the outfit fits well, the colors and styles are flattering, and that your overall look is polished and professional. If you‘re not sure about some aspect of the outfit, get a few different opinions before making your final decision. At the end of the day, you need to feel comfortable and confident in what you‘re wearing.
Nail the Total Package
Dressing to impress for a sales job interview is about more than just the clothing – it‘s the total package of your appearance, body language, and attitude. You could be wearing the sharpest designer suit, but if your handshake is limp and your eye contact nonexistent, you likely won‘t make a great impression.
After you‘ve selected your killer interview outfit, shift your focus to preparing your elevator pitch and power poses. Greet your interviewer with a calm smile and firm handshake. Sit up straight and lean slightly forward to convey interest and engagement. Maintain positive eye contact and open body language throughout. Before heading into the office, take a few deep breaths and mentally remind yourself of your top selling points.
By combining a professional, polished appearance with a confident demeanor and thorough preparation, you‘ll knock the socks off the hiring manager and exponentially increase your chances of landing the sales job.
You‘ve got this – now get out there and dress the part! The sales world is waiting for you.