What to Wear and Not to Wear to a Job Interview
What to Wear (and Not to Wear) to a Job Interview Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close
International Monetary Fund chairwoman Christine Lagarde sports a pale knit skirt suit with nude pumps, cropped gray hair and crossed legs in the slant position; various women demonstrate good posture and body language; choose a stylish bag and shoes. Getty Images (3); Mikhail Metzel/TASS; ANGELA WEISS/AFP (2); Marc Piasecki/GC Images Yes, your shoes, bag and
Get new pumps. Yeah, they do check your shoes first — it's not a myth. You can't go wrong with chic closed-toe heels. Strut your stuff in low-block or kitten heel styles, or (if you can do it) wear two to three-inch heels with a tapered toe. No wedges, platforms or round-toe "mumsy” (sorry, I'm a mom, too!) comfort styles ... not today.
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Sit up straight, but elegantly. Whether you're in a skirt, dress or pants, cross your legs at the knees and angle them together to one side. Keep hands loosely clasped at the knees so you don't wave them around, grip chair arms or fold your arms across your chest. Lean slightly in and speak with a smile and authority. You might have a killer résumé, but if you slump, mumble or fidget, forget about it. Splurge on a quality satchel bag or flap tote. A stylish upscale-looking bag with a flat bottom that won't fall over when placed on the floor is essential. Browse designer versions online, and find similar styles or shop consignment. Be sure your résumé and all essentials fit without looking stuffed. And turn off your phone on arrival. 2. Give your hair a contemporary attitude Facebook-Instagram exec Marne Levine has a modern sleek bob; Hollywood costume designer Ruth E. Carter blondes up her natural textured curly hair; Sharon Stone stuns with a short, sleek crop. Getty Images (3); JB Lacroix/WireImage; Jesse Grant/Hollywood Reporter; Marco Ravagli/Barcroft Images Don't over-style your hairstyle or go to extremes. A cool, short crop, a slightly tousled bob or lob, or a textured curly look sends a modern message that says "I'm relevant."
Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > 4. Statement jewelry makes you unforgettable Matarin Capital Management exec Nili Gilbert with a blue stone necklace and drop earrings; actress Uschi Glas with a tassel pendant necklace; CNN's Christiane Amanpour with gold statement earrings. Getty Images (3); Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg; Tristar Media; Jim Spellman What used to be a no-no is now a yes-yes! There's nothing wrong with studs and a strand of pearls, but knockout necklaces and big earrings offer a look-at-me twist we can't resist — and shouldn't. They show out-of-the-box thinking and self-worth. And guess what? You can match now (it’s back) or not ... it's all fabulous.
5. When in doubt, wear a dress Journalist-author Cynthia Leive in a colorful but professional tweed sheath; British TV newswomen Kay Burley, in an orange fit-and-flare dress, and Sarah Hewson, in a navy long-sleeve sheath; actress Kate Flannery in a red dress with narrow belt, blazer and red kitten heels. Getty Images (3); John Sciulli; John Phillips; Rachel Luna All work cultures are different, but if you are on the fence about an appropriate outfit, stick to a basic dress with a high no-cleavage-please neckline. Choose a sheath, shift or fit-and-flare silhouette with a sleeve that makes your arms comfy and revs up the color and print. This is work, not play. So it is not the moment for off-the-shoulder, cold shoulder, wraps or slits that might show too much leg when you cross yours. 6. A tailored pantsuit will save you Catalan chef Carme Ruscalleda wears a black-and-white bow blouse with a black pantsuit; Swedish banker Annika Falkengren dons a classic pantsuit. Europa Press/Getty Images; Casper Hedberg/Getty Images It's the default outfit with sensibility and sizzle, especially in fields such as law and finance. Choose a suit with updated features like slim, tapered legs and a sleek, well-fitting blazer. But whether you're going for an administrative assistant or management spot, spice up the structured uniform with statement jewelry, a colorful or bow blouse and stylish shoes. Something else to love about pantsuits: You can skip the pantyhose and not worry one second about veiny or spotty legs. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > 8. If you're going for a creative job, show some flare Humanitarian and author Zainab Salbi in a warm brown jersey, draped top and long skirt, with a statement necklace and short gray hair; fashion designer, stylist and author Rachel Zoe in a silk blouse, black velvet flares and a zebra-print tailored coat; Italian singer Petra Magoni in a black leather biker jacket, long leopard scarf and pencil skirt. Getty Images (3); Astrid Stawiarz/Urban Zen; Stefanie Keenan/Baby2Baby; Ernesto S. Ruscio If your interview is for a job in fashion, public relations, entertainment, art or music, show off your originality and imagination with an outfit that stands out. However, you don't want your clothes to steal the show or distract from your conversation, so stick to neutral pieces that are unexpected — a draped top, an asymmetrical neckline, a suede skirt, a dramatic animal-print scarf, coat or jacket. My last words on interviews: Do not fall into the trap of trying to look like younger colleagues. Don't wear a strong perfume — if any. And resist cookie-cutter dress codes. Just respect the workplace and be your best self. For more beauty and style tips for women age 50-plus, check out The Woman's Wakeup: How to Shake Up Your Looks, Life, and Love After 50 by Lois Joy Johnson and . More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
What to Wear to a Job Interview
8 style tips that will help you project confidence
Getty Images (3); Casper Hedberg; Rachel Luna; Paul Archuleta A job interview is basically a blind date. While your amazing qualifications and résumé matter — what you wear and how you look do, too. That first face-to-face meeting tells recruiters, managers, HR personnel and small-business owners whether your 50-plus self is a good fit for their work "culture." (They don’t say that, of course, but let's not be so PC to ignore the age elephant in the room.) Whether you're switching jobs, starting over after a job loss or rebooting after "retirement," step up your style. Let these photos of movers and shakers inspire you. Here's how to nail the job with spirit. 1. These 3 things can make or break you from "hello"International Monetary Fund chairwoman Christine Lagarde sports a pale knit skirt suit with nude pumps, cropped gray hair and crossed legs in the slant position; various women demonstrate good posture and body language; choose a stylish bag and shoes. Getty Images (3); Mikhail Metzel/TASS; ANGELA WEISS/AFP (2); Marc Piasecki/GC Images Yes, your shoes, bag and
Get new pumps. Yeah, they do check your shoes first — it's not a myth. You can't go wrong with chic closed-toe heels. Strut your stuff in low-block or kitten heel styles, or (if you can do it) wear two to three-inch heels with a tapered toe. No wedges, platforms or round-toe "mumsy” (sorry, I'm a mom, too!) comfort styles ... not today.
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Sit up straight, but elegantly. Whether you're in a skirt, dress or pants, cross your legs at the knees and angle them together to one side. Keep hands loosely clasped at the knees so you don't wave them around, grip chair arms or fold your arms across your chest. Lean slightly in and speak with a smile and authority. You might have a killer résumé, but if you slump, mumble or fidget, forget about it. Splurge on a quality satchel bag or flap tote. A stylish upscale-looking bag with a flat bottom that won't fall over when placed on the floor is essential. Browse designer versions online, and find similar styles or shop consignment. Be sure your résumé and all essentials fit without looking stuffed. And turn off your phone on arrival. 2. Give your hair a contemporary attitude Facebook-Instagram exec Marne Levine has a modern sleek bob; Hollywood costume designer Ruth E. Carter blondes up her natural textured curly hair; Sharon Stone stuns with a short, sleek crop. Getty Images (3); JB Lacroix/WireImage; Jesse Grant/Hollywood Reporter; Marco Ravagli/Barcroft Images Don't over-style your hairstyle or go to extremes. A cool, short crop, a slightly tousled bob or lob, or a textured curly look sends a modern message that says "I'm relevant."
Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > 4. Statement jewelry makes you unforgettable Matarin Capital Management exec Nili Gilbert with a blue stone necklace and drop earrings; actress Uschi Glas with a tassel pendant necklace; CNN's Christiane Amanpour with gold statement earrings. Getty Images (3); Christinne Muschi/Bloomberg; Tristar Media; Jim Spellman What used to be a no-no is now a yes-yes! There's nothing wrong with studs and a strand of pearls, but knockout necklaces and big earrings offer a look-at-me twist we can't resist — and shouldn't. They show out-of-the-box thinking and self-worth. And guess what? You can match now (it’s back) or not ... it's all fabulous.
5. When in doubt, wear a dress Journalist-author Cynthia Leive in a colorful but professional tweed sheath; British TV newswomen Kay Burley, in an orange fit-and-flare dress, and Sarah Hewson, in a navy long-sleeve sheath; actress Kate Flannery in a red dress with narrow belt, blazer and red kitten heels. Getty Images (3); John Sciulli; John Phillips; Rachel Luna All work cultures are different, but if you are on the fence about an appropriate outfit, stick to a basic dress with a high no-cleavage-please neckline. Choose a sheath, shift or fit-and-flare silhouette with a sleeve that makes your arms comfy and revs up the color and print. This is work, not play. So it is not the moment for off-the-shoulder, cold shoulder, wraps or slits that might show too much leg when you cross yours. 6. A tailored pantsuit will save you Catalan chef Carme Ruscalleda wears a black-and-white bow blouse with a black pantsuit; Swedish banker Annika Falkengren dons a classic pantsuit. Europa Press/Getty Images; Casper Hedberg/Getty Images It's the default outfit with sensibility and sizzle, especially in fields such as law and finance. Choose a suit with updated features like slim, tapered legs and a sleek, well-fitting blazer. But whether you're going for an administrative assistant or management spot, spice up the structured uniform with statement jewelry, a colorful or bow blouse and stylish shoes. Something else to love about pantsuits: You can skip the pantyhose and not worry one second about veiny or spotty legs. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > 8. If you're going for a creative job, show some flare Humanitarian and author Zainab Salbi in a warm brown jersey, draped top and long skirt, with a statement necklace and short gray hair; fashion designer, stylist and author Rachel Zoe in a silk blouse, black velvet flares and a zebra-print tailored coat; Italian singer Petra Magoni in a black leather biker jacket, long leopard scarf and pencil skirt. Getty Images (3); Astrid Stawiarz/Urban Zen; Stefanie Keenan/Baby2Baby; Ernesto S. Ruscio If your interview is for a job in fashion, public relations, entertainment, art or music, show off your originality and imagination with an outfit that stands out. However, you don't want your clothes to steal the show or distract from your conversation, so stick to neutral pieces that are unexpected — a draped top, an asymmetrical neckline, a suede skirt, a dramatic animal-print scarf, coat or jacket. My last words on interviews: Do not fall into the trap of trying to look like younger colleagues. Don't wear a strong perfume — if any. And resist cookie-cutter dress codes. Just respect the workplace and be your best self. For more beauty and style tips for women age 50-plus, check out The Woman's Wakeup: How to Shake Up Your Looks, Life, and Love After 50 by Lois Joy Johnson and . More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS