Beyond the suit: Crafting an interview look that will land the job

   Have you ever seen a dress code description and thought, “What does that even mean?!”? Casual, smart casual, business casual, business professional – all these vague and varying descriptions can have young job seekers and seasoned workers alike 2 A.M. doomscrolling to avoid under- or over-dressing for interviews for their dream jobs.

   In a post-pandemic world, the concept of business dress evolved quickly. Additionally, industry and specific job requirements drive what is appropriate as well. So, how can new graduates ensure they dress for success while still expressing themselves?

​   The NCC Center for Career Development is hosting an event called “Professional Dress Do’s & Don'ts and Why It Matters!” on February 24, 2026. At this event, students will learn how to dress for an interview or business event and will have a chance to browse the First Impressions Clothing Boutique.

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The Post-Pandemic Pivot

   With 36 years of experience at the NCC Center for Career Development, Karen Veres has seen it all, from formal, suit and tie every day workplace requirements to employers' increasing acceptance of personal self-expression, such as visible tattoos and piercings, colorfully dyed hair, and facial hair. “Things were definitely relaxing before, but COVID really accelerated the change,” says Veres.

   Despite loosening attire standards in the workplace, she notes that a neat, clean, wellgroomed look can go a long way when making a first impression in an interview. Prospective employees should take care to practice good hygiene and wear wrinkle-free, properly fitting clothing to make a good impression when interviewing in a professional setting.

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Effort is Everything

   Industry professionals, like Jessica Delgrosso, PHR, echo Veres’ advice. Delgrosso is the Director of Human Resources at MCS Industries in Easton, PA and she emphasizes that even if professional clothing is not available to a job candidate, personal grooming can go a long way. She shared that in lieu of the perfect wardrobe, a polished resume, neat appearance, and a handwritten thank you note goes a long way with hiring managers and HR teams. “Show us your effort.”

   Delgrosso recalls the adage “dress for the job you want, not the job you have” ...within reason. To avoid a scene out of the movie Stepbrothers, interviewees should skip the tuxedos and instead seek to elevate their look slightly for an initial meeting, even for handson trade jobs. Overdressing slightly for an hour may be uncomfortable for an applicant, but it could be the thing that helps a person stand out and ultimately land the job.

   Since COVID, many interviews and professional meetings now take place on virtual platforms, like Zoom or Teams. Although it may be tempting to keep it comfy while connecting remotely, Veres and Delgrosso both recommend dressing professionally from head to toe, even if the camera only shows a headshot. “The clothing that you wear influences your mindset and you’ll feel more professional,” says Veres.

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Redefining Workwear

   Despite the recent societal shift towards casual clothing, the Wall Street Journal reported that some Gen Z workers are bucking that trend. Social media workwear aesthetics, such as “office siren” and “corpcore” are adding excitement behind dressing professionally at work while maintaining a personal touch. Reporting showed that younger workers are moving away from having separate work and personal sections of their closets. “If you're buying a blazer, you want it to be your office blazer, your going out blazer, your running out to brunch blazer,” says WSJ reporter, Lane Florsheim.

   Overall, the message is clear: the stuffy, cookie-cutter suits of past generations are out, and feeling confident in your own style is in. The secret power of looking good is that it will make you feel good and can give a much-needed confidence boost during a nerve-racking meeting. Bringing a personal touch into your workplace wear can be a valuable way to stand out from the pack and land your dream job.

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Fine Tune Your First Impression

​If your current closet is a sea of hoodies, sweatpants, and other pieces of athleisure, fear not. The First Impressions Clothing Boutique, located in the College Center of the Bethlehem Campus is a resource available to get all students confident and interview ready. Students can make an appointment with a member of the Career Center staff to gain access to the boutique for suits, ties, blazers, skirts, pants, shirts, shoes, and other accessories at no cost.

   Students can register for the event by following the QR code below. Students can also participate in mock interviews and resume help by contacting careers@northampton.edu

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