What to wear to a job interview? The dress-code guide
The first seven seconds weigh in – and your outfit speaks before you do. How to match any industry's dress code and test your effect before it gets serious.
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The 7-second rule: your outfit speaks first
Before you answer the first question, your counterpart has formed an impression – posture, colours and fit feed directly into perceived competence. The good news: these signals are exactly what you can control. The ground rule: dress one level more formal than the company's everyday dress code. If unsure, check the team photos on the company website – and dress one notch above.
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Industry dress codes: from corporate to start-up
Banking, consulting, law: a classic suit or trouser suit in navy or charcoal with understated accessories – restraint signals credibility. Corporates & mid-size: a blazer combination instead of a full suit; one calm accent colour is welcome. Creative industries & agencies: smart casual with personality – quality basics plus one piece of character that sparks conversation. Start-up & tech: polished-casual; dark jeans with a blazer beat the stiff suit, as overdressing reads distant here. In every case: fit beats price – a well-fitting 80-franc blazer looks stronger than a badly fitting 800-franc one.
«Navy stands for trust and reliability – the safest choice worldwide.»
— Mira Mirror Magazine
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Colours that radiate competence
Navy stands for trust and reliability – the safest choice worldwide. Charcoal and grey read factual and precise, white and cream clear and open. One deliberate accent (burgundy, forest green) shows personality without risk. The decisive factor is your colour type: the same navy jacket makes one person shine and another look tired. So check beforehand whether your chosen tones match the undertone and contrast of your face – otherwise the best outfit works against you.
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The dress-rehearsal trick: test your effect before it counts
Professionals rehearse not only answers but also the appearance. Put on your full interview outfit the evening before and get honest feedback – not from friends who go easy on you, but from a neutral judge: pick the “Business” occasion in Mira and have your look rated. The AI checks colours, cut and overall effect, compares two candidate outfits head-to-head if you like, and tells you with loving honesty which one reads more competent. Walk into the interview with certainty instead of gut feeling – free on the App Store and Google Play.
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