A suit is a good choice for an interview – unless you are applying for a developer job. If you arrive at a start up and the CEO is wearing a hoodie and you are dressed in a suit and tie, it may seem like you’re not a cultural fit. It might seem that if you are smart enough and the company’s tech is “disruptive enough”, it doesn’t matter what clothes you wear. But, it does depend on how knowledgeable you are. If you are interviewing against someone who is willing and able to accept the same salary as you, is equally passionate and educated, and wears a button-up with nice jeans and formal shoes, you might not be as successful. What is the “right” style for interviewing? If in doubt, ask the hiring manager or recruiter what the dress code is for the company. You may also be asked to write code on a whiteboard. A shorter or knee-length skirt is a bad idea. If you are wearing a button-up shirt, make sure it doesn’t get caught on anything. You can wear these items to an interview with a junior developer unless the company is formal (law firms or banks, government).
What to wear to a junior development interview (men and women)
You don’t need a dress shirt to attend a wedding or funeral. There are many great dress shirts that can be worn casually as well as professionally.
Black pants, khakis, or dark washed Jeans
Clean dress shoes
Minimalist dresses (past knee and covers chest, no spaghetti straps!)
Women prefer pants to skirts
What to wear to a junior development interview (men and women):
Suit
Tie
Sneakers
T-shirts
Shorts
Jeans (this is an exception, if the jeans you are wearing are well-fitted, dark, and clean, then go for it).
Short or tight skirts
High heels (high heels greater than an inch)
Don’t worry if you don’t have something nice to wear to an interview. Most likely, you won’t be able to afford a new outfit. You can pick the most elegant outfit you can find and wear it. If you don’t have any, borrow something from a friend so you can dress up for your interview.