I have my first Teams job interview today in this post-COVID virtual environment.

Anonymous

May 10,2023 at 11:07AM UTC

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I have my first Teams job interview today in this post-COVID virtual environment.

I am meeting with the hiring manager, it's been a long time since I've interviewed for a new job, been in my current role for over 8 years now. I would much rather meet in person but this is the world we are in now. So, my question is...how do I dress for this? Is it fine for me to just wear a nice shirt or should I have a suit jacket on?

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Geena BrownMay 10,2023 at 12:19PM UTC
I've been on both sides of the interview screen in the last year, and I would say most people are gravitating toward just nice shirts. Unless this is a director or higher level position, a nice top should do the trick! Most importantly is having the camera set up straight-on to your face and a neutral backdrop that's not too distracting.
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 12:24PM UTC
Dress the same way you would for an in-person interview, including a suit jacket if that's appropriate for the role. It will impress the interviewer, and I find that wearing a suit during a remote interview keeps me in a "this is still a real interview" frame of mind and makes me more confident. Good luck!
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 12:30PM UTC
I would recommend a jacket. Set yourself apart from the rest - similar to what you do live. I always do this for virtual interviews - I may have joggers on my bottom half but the top looks like I'm professionally dressed (lol). Agree with a nice backdrop - either virtual or blurred if you are at home can work well. Otherwise something generic behind you. Test everything beforehand and I recommend getting in 15 min early - gives you time to cover any issues in case something isn't working. The best ones are when the recruiter for the other side gets on early to help with any issues with audio, video, etc. but if they don't you don't want to be scrambling 5 min before the interview so I'm a fan of logging in early.
Lisa GoldenMay 10,2023 at 12:36PM UTC
Always business dress for an interview.
Shanna NelsonMay 10,2023 at 12:51PM UTC
Treat it like a live interview. Keep you background simple and distraction free. Make sure you eliminate anything that could distract you. I had a washer walk on me one time and I bombed. Worst part of it is KNEW better than to do that.
Jessica FerlandMay 10,2023 at 1:13PM UTC
Wear a professional top like you would wear to a live interview. If you are comfortable in a blazer fine, but not a requirement. The benefit of a virtual interview is that the interviewer can ask the questions and then put them in the chat, which I've found super helpful. Go get em!!
Sarah StadtherrMay 10,2023 at 2:06PM UTC
Agree with all the other comments and will add something you didn't ask for. Video interviews are great for ONE thing. You can put notes up on the wall directly behind your camera! I always try to have some bullet points I want to hit on my skills or experience. I also try to have one or two pertinent questions to ask. Having them right in front of you will help if there's a lull or a tough question. You can never prep too much. Best wishes and tell us what happens.
AnonymousMay 11,2023 at 2:32PM UTC
Thank you for the advice! I did go with a jacket, dressed how I would if I went for an in-person interview. I took your advice and stuck up some notes on projects I worked on that I wanted to highlight. I thought it went well, the hiring manager and I had a good rapport. So, we'll see what happens. If nothing else, I got back on the horse, went through a face to face interview, felt very prepared for it and ready for the next one if need be. Thank you!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 11,2023 at 5:55AM UTC
What is appropriate can depend on what industry you're interviewing for and the level of position.
There can be a big difference between what may be appropriate at a tech start up and a bank or white shoe law firm.
I would say dress to show you will fit in with the company culture - especially if you're older. An old school blue blazer may not go over the way you hope in a tech firm where everyone is wearing hoodies. You want to come across as approachable and not rigid.
A nice shirt should usually fit any situation except the most conservative. As a general rule, workplaces have become much more casual over the years and that has only accelerated since the pandemic.
AnonymousMay 11,2023 at 2:13PM UTC
I would dress for an in-person interview, at least on top! I did that for all virtual interviews while I was recently looking. Nice shirt, suit jacket, and dark sweats on the bottom (no patterns or anything, just in case I had to stand). At least part of me was comfy while I had to speak endlessly about my resume!
AnonymousMay 13,2023 at 6:02PM UTC
I would look at how the person you are interviewing with and others at your level and their level present on social media - LI and other places. Review the photos on their website of the folks that work there and then you can decide. These days business casual is the norm so I would suggest leave the suit jacket at home. Also, do let them know that this is your first interview on a video call - ask up front if it will be cameras on as some companies default to no camera. Theirs off, yours off. Good luck!