What to Wear for a Zoom Interview (Achieve Success)

What To Wear For A Zoom Interview? We’ve all been there, torn between staying in ‘lounge wear’, or, let’s be honest, pyjamas from the waist down, or trying to channel professionalism and actually putting on shoes!

Decisions, decisions.

Zoom is a popular video interviewing tool that has become popular with employers. If you’re looking to land your next job, it’s important to dress for the occasion!

In this blog post, we’ll cover what you should wear in order to get the job.

What to Wear for a Zoom Interview depends on what type of job your big interview is for. For instance, if you’re looking at jobs in the creative or media industry, then it’s important that you dress in business attire. If the place of employment is more casual, then choose an outfit that fits in with their culture.

If you’re using a video interviewing tool like Zoom, what to wear is even more important. Your outfit must look presentable on camera so that hiring managers are not distracted by your clothes. One way of ensuring this is by choosing outfits with neutral colors or patterns—no stripes, loud prints, or logos! When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe and choose what you would wear to a traditional interview.

What To Wear For A Zoom Interview- Don’ts

• Loud clothing (stripes, prints)
• Clothing with logos or brand names
• Dressing too casually for the position you’re applying for (e.g., wearing jeans instead of slacks to an office job). Note that some companies do have a casual dress code, so if you’re not sure what to wear, ask.
• Scruffy or dirty clothing that shows poor hygiene (no unkempt hair and nails)
• If the job is somewhere more formal, like an office, it’s best to choose what you would usually wear to work—nothing too dressy. If the office is more casual (a startup for example), you can dress up a little bit, but make sure your clothes are clean and pressed!

What To Wear For A Zoom Interview- Do’s

• Neutral colors or patterns—no stripes, loud prints, or logos! When in doubt, it’s best to play it safe and choose what you would wear to a traditional in-person interview.
• Business attire for creative or media industry jobs.
• Dressy clothes if you’re going to an office job where the dress code is more formal (e.g., slacks and a button-up shirt). If your company has a casual dress code, then choose what fits in with that culture, e.g., jeans and a t-shirt.
• Clean, pressed clothes that are well put together! Make sure your hair is clean and styled nicely, too. If you have long hair, then pull it back into a neat ponytail or bun. Avoid wild hairstyles, as these can be distracting to the interviewer.
• Makeup should also look natural (no heavy foundation) and what you wear on your nails should be appropriate for the workplace.

Creative or Agency- What To Wear For A Zoom Interview?

This type of job interview is usually more casual than what you would wear to a traditional job interview.

For Women: Wear something that looks great on camera and fits in with the company culture. If your industry allows for it then choose what you would typically wear into an office (dress, skirt or dress pants).

If this isn’t possible, wear what you would typically wear on a casual day (jeans and a shirt). Keep in mind that what looks great on the streets might not look good for your video interview. If this is the case, dress up what you’re wearing with neutral colors like black or white.

For Men: wear jeans and a button-down shirt (no t-shirts, no hoodies).

The Standard Office Job- What To Wear For A Zoom Interview?

This type of job interview is what we’re most familiar with. Whether it’s a Zoom interview or an in-person interview, what you wear, meaning your choice of interview outfit, is what they’re going to see first.

Wear what you would typically wear to a traditional job interview. Make sure what you are wearing looks great on camera! If what you have is too casual but the company dress code requires business attire, then consider adding something that makes it look more professional (for example, removing a t-shirt’s logo but keeping the shirt) or dressing up what you are wearing with neutral colors like black or white.

The Startup Job- What To Wear For A Zoom Interview?

Startup companies are known for their casual dress codes and what to wear can be tricky when you’re interviewing via video! What To Wear For A Zoom Interview? If what your wearing isn’t working, try dressing up what you’re wearing with neutral colors like black or white. A polo shirt is a smart choice if the standard business suit isn’t what your culture is about.

Smart casual is what you’re looking for. Usually, jeans and a polo shirt are what you’re going to want to wear. Or you could smarten it up with a polo shirt or jacket over a t-shirt.

The Government Job- What To Wear For A Zoom Interview?

This type of job interview is conducted in business attire.

Wear what you would typically wear to a traditional job interview. Make sure what you are wearing looks great on camera! If what you have is too casual but the company dress code requires business attire, then consider adding something that makes it look more professional (for example, remove a t-shirt’s logo but keep the shirt).

The Corporate Job- What To Wear For A Zoom Interview?

This type of interview can be done in person or via video. If what you’re wearing isn’t working, try dressing up what you’re wearing with neutral colors like black or white. A polo shirt is a smart choice if your industry typically requires business attire, but the startup culture in which this company runs doesn’t have that same dress code!

How To Optimize Your Image

Make sure you take time to adjust the lighting and make sure your camera angle is flattering. Wear light makeup that looks good on camera. Wear accessories that are minimal and don’t distract your audience.

Think about your background; is it professional, and does it reflect the image you want to project? Think about your hair and nails; what is the best style to wear for a video interview?

Finally, don’t forget to wear appropriate footwear. Even if your shoes are never seen, being fully dressed can give you confidence and a professional outlook. Clear the clutter from your background and make sure you are dressed on the bottom half as well as the top half!

Have good lighting and make sure the camera is at eye level. Good luck!

FAQs

How Do I Look In The Camera?

You might be wondering what you look like in the camera, and it’s a pretty normal question. The best thing to do is ask someone who has worked with Zoom what their feedback was on what they saw (if anything). If there were no comments about what you were wearing but instead they only commented that “you looked nervous,” then consider adding something that makes you look more professional.

Make sure you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing! If it’s too much, then dress down what you are wearing.

Another tip is to get fully dressed for the camera and don’t be caught wearing pyjama pants or anything that looks like pjamas. You want your interviewer to see you at your best!

What To Wear For A Zoom Interview—Best Color to Wear?

We recommend you wear what typically looks great on camera (which is why it’s important to test out what you’re wearing with people who have zoomed in before). Colors that look good are the same colors that look good for a face-to-face interview.

In Conclusion

It’s wise to set up a trial run on Zoom with a friend or colleague who can give you some advice on whether what you are wearing looks good on camera or if you should consider a different style or dress code.