How do I dress for an interview?

Don’t worry so much about corporate culture, says The Kit’s editor-at-large, and instead stay true to yourself

I’ve got a big job interview coming up at a tech company I’ve been dying to work for. I normally dress up quite a bit for work — dresses, skirts, etc. — but tech is known to be a casual sector, so I don’t want to miss the mark and seem out of touch. What should I wear to make the right impression? — Kelly, Toronto

Going through the interview process is such a roller-coaster ride: You’re filled with anticipation and terror, you’re elated and excited, you’ve got to be simultaneously prepared to soar and crash. It’s a lot. And worse still, the more senior you get, the more you have to do it. (Raise your hand if you’ve had to sit through five rounds of interviews for a single position!)

All of this turbulence can steer you into overthinking certain components (what you should wear) and underthinking others (what you want to say.)

So first off, I’m going to advocate that you go against the storied advice to fit in at all costs when dressing for a job interview, and instead, dress in a way that makes you feel confident, professional and relaxed.

While donning a tech-industry costume might create the initial impression that you fit the company culture, it will also probably leave you feeling like an impostor, a vibe that will surely taint the way you come across in an interview.

To confirm my advice, I called industry genius Malgosia Green, who, after launching a bevy of successful startups, was hand-picked to take over as CEO of massive dating site Plenty of Fish.

She, much like you, has always leaned in when dressing up: She’s known around the office for her rotating array of dresses and high heels, accented with fine jewelry.

“I’ve always had my own style and I try to follow that,” she explains. “When I worked at tech startups, I still wore dresses because they felt like me. I didn’t care that everyone else was in a hoodie and flip-flops.”

Your first goal in an interview, she explains, is not actually to impress your interviewer at any cost; your first goal is to make sure the interviewer is able to understand what you’re truly about.

“You must represent who you are in your interview, not pretend to be something you aren’t.” MALGOSIA GREEN CEO PLENTY OF FISH

“Being authentic is key,” she says. “You must represent who you are in your interview, not pretend to be something you aren’t because eventually, if you get the job, those people are going to figure out who you are.”

Her advice is sound for two key reasons that transcend style.

First, if you come across as an authentic person, you’re just fundamentally more likeable. People gravitate toward those who are secure in themselves: It’s soothing. (That magnetism is what initially drew me to my now husband, who is one of the most self-assured people I know — and he’s gotten basically every job he’s ever interviewed for.) Second, and this is important, your interview is hopefully just the first meeting in what will be a long and successful relationship, so pretending you are a hoodie-loving laid-back babe is not an act you can likely keep up beyond the first hourlong meeting.

The real pitfall in attempting to anticipate what an interviewer wants and dressing accordingly is that you don’t actually knowwhat they’re looking for. A casual company might be looking to level-up their professionalism; a large traditional company might be looking to embrace a more creative and entrepreneurial attitude on some teams; the hiring manager might love the colour red or hate midi-skirts; they might be style-obsessed or barely notice your well-cut Armani suit. The hiring process is layered, complex, and what happens behind the scenes is largely unknowable. The only thing you can truly control and anticipate is this: Am I presenting the best possible version of myself in a way that is free from distractions?

In order to do that, there are a few straightforward rules to abide by, no matter what industry you’re joining. Don’t wear fussy clothes: When in doubt, a simple blouse and pencil skirt is an almost universally appropriate pairing. Don’t wear outfits that are uncomfortable or need adjusting (if you find yourself tugging at your dress while you’re seated, don’t wear it. Yes, even if it’s cool and you’re applying for some fashionable position). Make sure every piece of your interview outfit is good quality and well pressed, even if it’s a relatively casual workplace. Above all, make sure everything fits you properly. If your style conveys anything about your workplace persona, it should be: “Hey, I’m a meticulous person.” With that message communicated, you’re freed up to spend the interview talking about what really matters.