The pandemic has ushered in a new era of remote jobs and online interviews. Knowing what to wear for a Zoom interview for men is important. While this has its own perks, it requires us to adapt after being used to face interviews. With companies transitioning to virtual interviews, the way you present yourself to a potential employer has changed. While dressing for an in-person interview is quite straightforward, dressing for a video job interview can be daunting. After all, the interviewer won’t see your full outfit from head to toe. But don’t be fooled; what you wear on camera still matters. If you’re having a hard time deciding on your Zoom interview outfit, check out our guide!

Navigating Dress Codes

Though the meeting might be virtual, it’s just as important to dress appropriately and professionally as it would be for an in-person interview. The hiring manager will be noting everything from your presentation to how you communicate, and your attire plays a significant role in this evaluation. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to wear for your Zoom call according to the most common dress codes, ensuring that you make a positive and lasting impression on your potential employer.

Business Formal

Business formal is typically required for industries like finance, law, or high-level executive positions. In this case, your Zoom interview attire should consist of the following:

• Wear a solid color suit in dark colors like navy, black, or dark grey. Then you can pair this with a crisp, white dress shirt. Black suits are a favorite among people who frequently need to be in formal wear.
• A conservative tie – preferably in a solid color or a minimal pattern.
• Ensure you’re well-groomed with neat facial hair and combed hair.
• Make sure your collared shirt is ironed and crisp. Wrinkles can be more noticeable on camera.

Business Casual

Business casual is common in many corporate settings and industries like tech, marketing, and sales. Here’s what you could wear for a business casual Zoom interview:

• Wear a dress shirt in a solid color or subtle pattern. Colors like blue and light grey are excellent choices, or you can go with the classic white shirt.
• You can choose to wear a blazer, but it isn’t as mandatory as in a business formal setting. If you choose to wear one, ensure it complements the color of your shirt.
• Even though it’s a business casual dress code, your clothes should still be neatly ironed. Creased clothing can come across as sloppy on camera.
• Although a tie is not necessary, a casual tie can add a bit of formality to your outfit if you feel it’s appropriate.

Casual

A casual dress code is often suitable for startups or creative fields. Even though you are wearing a casual outfit, it’s essential to maintain a level of professionalism. Here’s what to consider:

• A polo shirt or a clean, pressed, classic button-down shirt. You could go for slightly more vibrant colors, but avoid anything too loud or flashy.
• If your interview is in a particularly relaxed or creative environment, a clean, high-quality, solid color t-shirt could also work. Pair it with a blazer or a suit jacket to maintain an air of professionalism.
• Always ensure you’re well-groomed. Just because the dress code is casual doesn’t mean you should overlook this aspect.

Remember, no matter what dress code you’re following, avoid overly bright colors or busy patterns that can be distracting on a video call. Test your outfit on camera before the interview to ensure it looks as good on screen as it does in person.

Essential Tips You Have to Keep in Mind

Let us now go through the essential tips that job seekers or job candidates must keep in mind when preparing for formal job interviews, such as during a Zoom meeting or using Microsoft Teams. This will increase your chances of success and help you better prepare.

Know the Company’s Culture and Dress Code

The first step in dressing appropriately for a virtual interview is to do your research beforehand. Check out the company website to determine the dress code. Are they a ‘business formal’ company, requiring you to wear a suit and tie in the office? Or is their dress code more relaxed, say, a ‘business casual’ environment? Either way, understanding the company culture is crucial, and you want to dress in a way that aligns with their vibe. Knowing the company culture also gives you an idea of what is acceptable and what isn’t.

Choose Clothing That Matches Your Skin Tone

Your skin tone should be a factor when picking attire, particularly when selecting clothing for the upper body. The shirt, especially the collar area, is the most visible part of your attire on a video call. Bright colors can wash out your entire appearance, while some colors make your skin complexion pop. Ensure to pick colors that complement your skin tone and make you feel confident. This can help you look great on camera and feel comfortable, as well.

Wear Business Attire From the Waist Down

It is highly advised to wear pants, preferably business attire or casual dress pants, as there is a chance that you will need to stand up during an interview. You don’t want to expose your bottom half during the interview. Don’t settle for sweatpants since your potential employer might also ask you to stand up, which can quickly turn unpleasant if you’re caught wearing these. You can also wear dress shoes so you really feel that you are doing an interview.

Avoid Busy Patterns, Bright, or Distracting Colors

Choosing the right color for your attire is crucial, and this includes avoiding bright and distracting colors on camera. Avoid busy patterns in your shirts or suits and bright tie colors. Instead, it’s best to stick to neutral colors. Neutral colors like blue, gray, white, black, or khaki are safe and good choices because they blend well on screen. These will contrast beautifully with most virtual background colors and are not too flashy or distracting to the interviewer. You can also choose to opt for solid colors to achieve a classical look.  These will also make you appear more confident and available to the hiring manager. It is much better to go a little more muted than too bold. Too harsh colors may distract the interviewer’s attention away from your words and throw them off their rhythm.

Groom Yourself Appropriately

Dressing sharp is important, but not as important as grooming yourself appropriately. Ensuring that you are properly groomed can take you a long way with a prospective employer. For men, grooming for an interview includes trimming your nails, facial hair and ensuring that your haircut is in proper shape. Your facial hair should be well-trimmed, ensuring that your facial hair is not too wild, bushy, or otherwise unkempt-looking. Areas like your eyebrows and the flyaway strands of hair should also be taken care of. Apply light makeup or powder to soak up excess oil if necessary.

Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

The surroundings that you choose for the interview count nearly as much as what you wear on the upper body. Ensure that you have good lighting to show your face and video camera on. You can try using ring lights for this. It’s best to choose a neutral wall, avoid placing anything distracting in the background, and ensure that it is free of clutter and personal items. You can also choose to use pictures instead of a solid white background but try checking with the company if they permit this.

Good Internet Connection for Zoom Interview for Men

Internet connectivity is another essential component of a virtual interview. You don’t want to go through all your preparations only to not be able to attend the interview because of poor internet connectivity. Before the interview, do a quick test run on the video platform to make sure you have a strong and stable internet connection. If in doubt, connect directly to your internet source via the ethernet cable and close other unnecessary apps running in the background.

Don’t Let Casual Dress Code Trick You

Some companies may encourage their employees to dress casually, but this does not mean that you can show up in a t-shirt. Casual attire for an interview does not mean that you can be sloppy. Sweatshirts, gym shorts, or anything too comfortable is not a great option for a virtual interview. Even if the code invites you to wear whatever you want, sticking to business casual would be a good decision.

Accessorize Appropriately

Accessories can be an excellent addition to complete your Zoom interview look. However, it is important to ensure that your accessories don’t distract the interviewer. A classic watch, a tie, or a pocket square can be a great addition to a professional outfit. Avoid wearing busy accessories, like loud bracelets, hats, or sunglasses, during your interview.

Think About Your Virtual Background

While it’s important to keep your attire professional, your background needs to be up-to-par too. Avoid anything too distracting or messy in the background, like laundry or clutter, as it can take away focus from the interviewer. Consider using virtual backgrounds that are more appropriate for office surroundings. Virtual backgrounds like a home office background, a modern office, or a conference room background can work well to communicate a professional demeanor. Ensure that your virtual background complements your attire without overpowering it.

Be Mindful Of Your Camera Positioning

Choose a place with good lighting, natural light, or a ring light that illuminates your face. Consider setting up your computer or device so that the camera is at eye level or slightly above it. This positioning enables the interviewer to view you as you would in a face-to-face conversation. Slouching or tilting the camera can project a negative perception, so take care to place your computer or device on a stable surface and eliminate distractions.

Consider the Company’s Industry

Your outfit choice can also depend on the industry you’re interviewing for. For example, a tech company might be more comfortable with an outfit that’s more casual, while an accounting firm might require a suit and tie. Understanding the industry, the role or the company you’re interviewing for can help you choose the appropriate outfit. It’s crucial to explore the dress code of the specific industry and inquire about any specific expectations relevant to the job.

Practice Your Zoom Interview Look

Before your virtual job interview, it’s important to test run your attire, lighting, and accessories. This practice run can help you adjust to the new medium, ensure good camera positioning, dress appropriately, and sound and look professional. You can conduct a mock video interview with a friend or family member to simulate a real job interview and ask them for feedback on how you look and sound.

Bottomline

Zoom interviews, much like face-to-face ones, necessitate a professional appearance and a strong first impression. The attire you choose plays a pivotal role in portraying your professionalism, personality, and skills to a prospective employer. Picking what to wear is important, and this largely depends on the company’s culture, dress code, and the role for which you’re applying.

Furthermore, selecting appropriate colors that complement your skin tone, maintaining good grooming, setting the right background, and ensuring optimal lighting significantly enhance your presentation. Once your attire is settled, remember the importance of maintaining eye contact and exuding confidence throughout the interview. Good luck, and remember, you’ve got this!

For more information on job seeking, check out the IT Job Coach podcast: https://itjobcoach.com/podcast/

You can listen on Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-job-coach-tips-on-tech-resumes-interviews-cover/id1691431480