Page 18 - Graduate Recruitment Handbook 2025

2. Research the company’s dress company, art gallery, or clothing boutique,
code. you might find a more fashion-forward
In conjunction with dressing one step up, you’ll culture of dressing. In this case, you might
want to get a clear sense of the company’s choose garments and accessories that reflect
environment, culture, dress code, or workplace the latest trends and resemble the styles
attire expectations. You can find this out by: worn by employees and clientele.
• Calling or emailing your interview point
• In industry-specific environments, dress
of contact and asking them about the codes can differ significantly between
company’s dress code. Examples of the kind interviews and that which is worn on the
of questions you could ask include: “How job. For example, for a personal trainer
do the employees usually dress?” or “How interview at a fitness studio, you might wear
would you dress for an interview with this business casual for the face-to-face part of
company?” the interview and athletic attire for a physical
• Perusing the company’s website and social demonstration of your training approach.
For an interview at a medical facility, you
media profiles for images that offer clues
might opt for business casual or a step
about the typical attire.
above, even if you’ll be wearing scrubs or a
• Visiting the company’s location (if
lab coat on the job.
convenient) and observing firsthand how
employees dress. 3. Dress for the interview location.
• An interview on Zoom or at a company’s
Once you find out the company’s dress code, headquarters may determine the garments
consider the examples in these four workplace
attire categories: you choose.
• For interviewing on Zoom, choose colours
• In formal environments, appropriate attire
that contrast with your background so that
might include a tailored suit, button-down
you stand out, but opt for colours that don’t
shirt with tie, blouse, lace-up dress shoes or
clash too much. For interviewing onsite,
closed-toe pumps, stockings, or dress socks.
keep your physical comfort in mind. For
• In casual environments, such as a tech
example, air-conditioned office spaces
company or start-ups, you might see staff
can feel frigid after a short period of time
members wearing a broad range of attire,
of being there, while fitness facilities may
from khaki pants and button-downs to jeans,
feel balmy. For an outdoor location, you
t-shirts, and hoodies. For your interview, you
may need a durable pair of shoes or a
might choose an outfit that is more on the
weatherproof coat.
business casual side rather than something
very casual. Business casual attire typically
What not to wear to an interview
blends some elements of formal and casual
• What not to wear can be as important a
attire and can include non-denim pants,
decision as what you do wear. While you
blazers, button-downs, and dresses and
have some leeway in choosing your interview
skirts that aren’t part of a business suit.
attire, you don’t want to wear anything that
• In creative environments, such as a design
could distract the interviewer from your
18 2025/26 Graduate Recruitment Handbook