What to Wear: Earrings for an Interview (2024)

FAQs

What earrings can I wear to an interview? ›

Wear earrings, but keep them smaller and simple. Studs — gold, silver, pearl or diamond — frame a face with subtlety. Small diameter hoops are also a good accent. You'll be doing a lot of face-to-face talking during an interview.

For the most part, yes! Unless otherwise stated by your specific industry, wearing earrings for interviews is appropriate. Wearing the right earrings in an interview is a great way to make a lasting impression. Most people notice a woman's earrings the first time they meet her.

When it comes to jewelry for a job interview, men should only wear a watch and a wedding band. Women should wear stud earrings and one or two other simple pieces of jewelry. When it comes to necklaces, do not layer them. Instead wear one simple, classic necklace like pearls.

Earrings: You can't go wrong with diamond or pearl stud earrings of any hue of gold. Dainty hoops will work as well. Necklaces: Delicate pendants or lariat necklaces make for the perfect subtle accessory.

Accessories shouldn't be distracting: no large jewelry, no facial piercings, and keep makeup simple. For women, you don't want your makeup, perfume, or jewelry to be distracting during an interview. If you have an alarm for your watch or a smartwatch, make sure it's silenced before you go in.

Most employers don't mind these as they are quite discreet and fit well in a professional setting. However, other piercing trends can be pretty intimidating to look at. Facial piercings are especially concerning for some employers.

Common Piercings in the Workplace

If you're looking to get a piercing but have concerns about its reception at work, the safest play is to go with the most common workplace piercings. Ear piercings, for example, are acceptable in most workplaces. Lobe piercings are so common that few employers take issue with them.

In some ways, piercings can affect getting a job because some professions are big on the image they present. Conventional piercings, such as a nose or ear stud, shouldn't have a major impact on your prospects. However, unconventional piercings are typically frowned upon in white-collar professions.

The way you dress for an interview gives potential employers their first impression of how you present yourself professionally. Even if you look great on paper, if you don't dress appropriately for an interview, you give the impression that you lack respect for yourself and those you are meeting with.

The best colors to wear to an interview are ones that are neutral such as black, navy, gray and brown. White is also an appropriate neutral color for a shirt or blouse. Depending on your preference, you can also add a bit of color to an interview outfit to introduce your own personality.

How do you accessorize for an interview? ›

It's safest to stay away from jeans for an interview. Aim to look slightly more dressed up than the average employee. A polo, blouse, or button-down shirt paired with a sports jacket or sweater is a good business casual look. Wear closed-toe shoes, and don't wear athletic shoes/sneakers.

Comfort is Key

Choose hassle-free accessories that are comfortable and don't get in the way of the interview. For instance, a pair of diamond earrings or pearl earrings do the job and exhibit class. You can even opt for small hoops but leave out the big danglers for another time and occasion.

There's nothing wrong with a black-and-white polka dot blouse paired with a blazer or a blue pinstripe dress shirt. Just be careful with too many colors and patterns; if they get out of hand, these can distract the interviewer.

For interview attire, we suggest opting for solid ties, striped ties, geometric / foulard (repeating pattern ties) or polka dot ties.

Dress pants, pencil skirts, knee-length dresses, blazers, neutral or light-colored blouses, sweaters, cardigans, tights, and suits are all acceptable forms of interview attire. Dress shoes should be closed-toed heels, flats, or short boots.

Keep it simple with a ponytail

Instead of wearing your hair down, wear a classy bun or ponytail, or twist your hair into a smooth, long braid to keep your hair away from your face. Classy buns, ponytails or a long braid can give a professional look to your style while keeping you comfortable.

Wear smart slacks or dark coloured jeans, tailored jeans are often best for interviews. A knee length or midi skirt can also work. For shoes wear flats or small heels with closed toes. Choose a blouse or shirt that fits well, avoiding low-cut tops.

Avoid chipped or multicolored nails, she says, as well as artwork, gems, glitter and particularly dark or bright colors. Even if your navy manicure looks fabulous, your interviewer should be wondering where you'll fit on the org chart – not where you you get your nails done.

As predicted, job candidates with piercings were seen as much less employable than their unpierced counterparts. The candidates with facial piercings were rated much more harshly, receiving lower ratings on competence, sociability, trustworthiness, and moral character.

How many ear piercings is acceptable? ›

Even though there's really no limit, many piercers recommend no more than four piercings at one time.

Cover up! Consider removing the piercing and toning down your hair colour before an interview. Accessories such as scarves, thick watches and bangles, band-aids, long-sleeved shirts, jackets, and makeup go a long way when you want to hide your artwork.

Opt for a Septum Piercing for the Easiest Hiding Spot

If you're wondering what kind of piercing to get but are worried about hiding it for work, a septum piercing is your best bet. All you need to do is flip it up into your nostrils and it's out of sight, out if your employers) mind.

Stay out of pools, hot tubs, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water while your piercing is healing. Don't fiddle with your piercings. Don't touch a new piercing or twist the jewelry unless you're cleaning it. Keep clothing away from the piercing, too.

In an interview setting, black is a good choice, just don't wear too much of it. Like white, black pairs nicely with most other interview colors. Black says you respect the formality of the interview and the authority of the hiring company. Avoid matching black with brown, charcoal, or dark grey.

Dressing appropriately for an interview is an integral part of the hiring process. Though you don't always have to wear a suit, you should always look your best. We recommend dressing one step above what you would typically wear every day in your job.

Questions to avoid in an interview:

Never ask if you can change the job details, the schedule, or the salary. Never ask many questions about the interviewer's background. Never ask about pay, time off, benefits, etc. (Wait until later in the process to inquire about these things.)

Brown - Brown is a neutral color that evokes feelings of calm. It is a great solid, neutral color for any interview. Blue - Blue, particularly navy, is another great neutral color for interview outfits. Blues convey feelings of calm, trust, and confidence - great qualities for an interviewer to sense in you.

The standard rule of thumb is that the best colors to wear to an interview are navy, black, gray and brown. Colors send subtle, yet specific messages about you, as a person. Factors, such as position, company culture and work environment should also be taken into consideration when selecting your interview ensemble.

Your skills and qualifications. If you can prove that you've got all the skills that the company is looking for in a candidate, you'll have effectively answered the question. Your passion and motivation. You can highlight how good of a company fit you'd be and how much you love working in your field or industry.

What are 5 things to bring to an interview? ›

It's acceptable to bring notes with you to an interview if the notes contain the questions you plan to ask your interviewer. You might also include questions about the company that you were unable to answer through your research.

“Attire that is always inappropriate for a job interview includes flip flops, wedge sandals, ripped jeans or shorts, tank tops, halter tops, sandals, strapless tops and dresses, and athletic attire like yoga pants and sneakers,” says Devoreaux Walton, an etiquette expert and founder of TheModernLady.com.

Your answer to the "tell me about yourself" question should describe your current situation, your past job experience, the reason you're a good fit for the role, and how you align with the company values. Tell the interviewer about your current position and a recent big accomplishment or positive feedback you received.

The goal is to use the least makeup possible to smooth out your features and make you feel polished and confident. Avoid heavy eyeliner, dark eye shadows, intense blush (rouge) and bright lipsticks. They are distracting and unflattering to many women.

Wear some colour or even a pattern (though not a floral pattern). Avoid wearing light coloured suits or jackets as they won't make you appear powerful, instead you'll look like you're off to a wedding or fun event.

Casual Dress for an Interview

In terms of tops, nearly anything goes. Long or short sleeves are fine, though you should consider skipping sleeveless or tank tops. Colors and patterns are also acceptable, even ones that are brighter or louder.

What kind of shoes should a woman wear to an interview? ›

Flats or wedges are perfectly fine. When deciding what shoes to wear to an interview, make sure they are closed-toe, with a heel no higher than 3 inches, and in neutral colors. In terms of makeup, keep it simple.

It may sound like a bit of a cliché, but the first impression you make with a potential employer is the most important one. And that first impression will be derived from how you look and what you are wearing. So, dressing to impress at a job interview is imperative, regardless of the work environment.

Shoes: Open shoes like flip-flops or sandals are a no-go for a job interview. Footwear should be either closed toe pumps with a subtle heel or closed toe black high heels. Jewellery: Stay away from too much jewellery such as large necklaces and bangles, as too much clanging can cause unnecessary distraction.

In some ways, piercings can affect getting a job because some professions are big on the image they present. Conventional piercings, such as a nose or ear stud, shouldn't have a major impact on your prospects. However, unconventional piercings are typically frowned upon in white-collar professions.

Big earrings distract from your message, says van Leggelo. You want your words, not your earrings, to take center stage. She, therefore, recommends limiting your hoops to about one centimeter in a business setting.

Yellow, green, orange and purple

Orange, in particular, is considered the most inappropriate color for an interview and can come across as overly confident and unprofessional.

Common Piercings in the Workplace

If you're looking to get a piercing but have concerns about its reception at work, the safest play is to go with the most common workplace piercings. Ear piercings, for example, are acceptable in most workplaces. Lobe piercings are so common that few employers take issue with them.

Any piercing has the potential to be rejected. Rejection depends on the person's immune system and how well the piercing heals. But, the body tends to reject some types of piercings more often than others.

Provided there are no prejudices involved, an employer has the right to refuse to extend a hiring opportunity to someone with tattoos or piercings. This is because an employer has the right to refuse to hire anyone it deems unsuitable or inappropriate for the position.

Are too many earrings unprofessional? ›

The number of piercings you have in each ear are purely personal choices and has nothing to do with being “professional”. Some people like their ears to look balanced - equal number of piercings and matching types of jewelry on each side.

They symbolize strength and international fashion. Being a circle, hoop earrings show unity, infinity, and wholeness. Hoop earrings have been a staple of Latino culture. As minorities and immigrants in America and Europe, hoop earrings became a symbol of strength, identity, and resistance to discrimination.

Generally, in a professional situation the types of earrings that work well are slightly understated, and ones that suit your face shape and style of outfit. You are certainly not limited to studs, though as a rule, long, dangly & gaudy earrings are to be avoided in your traditional workplaces.

Keep it simple with a ponytail

Instead of wearing your hair down, wear a classy bun or ponytail, or twist your hair into a smooth, long braid to keep your hair away from your face. Classy buns, ponytails or a long braid can give a professional look to your style while keeping you comfortable.

In an interview setting, black is a good choice, just don't wear too much of it. Like white, black pairs nicely with most other interview colors. Black says you respect the formality of the interview and the authority of the hiring company. Avoid matching black with brown, charcoal, or dark grey.