The article outlines what to wear for a teacher interview to help you land the job. We’ll discuss interview outfit tips for both men and women. Whether you are interviewing for your first job or are a seasoned teaching professional, we’ve got you covered! We’ll also cover interview tips to help you stand out from 99% of the competition.
Understand the School Dress Code
The general rule used to be that you wore a full suit to a job interview, no matter what. That has changed a bit as workplace dress codes across different industries continue to trend more towards the casual side. As of 2022, the percentage of employers citing casual dress codes rose to 70%. This statistic certainly includes school districts and the education world. When preparing for what to wear for your teacher interview, make choices that give the interview committee a good impression. First and foremost, you want your interview attire to communicate that you are a professional who is exemplary qualified for this teaching job. It is important to consider the school’s dress code – if you are interviewing, for example, at a private elementary school, students and faculty alike may have a stricter dress code. You may want to elevate your attire one level above what you might wear to an interview at a public school where the dress code is more relaxed. Do your homework to understand the dress code of the school / school as a starting point.
Women: Outfit Ideas for a Teaching Interview
Dress black pants and a blouse are always a smart choice. I would recommend adding a blazer to elevate your attire even more, but this is not absolutely required. A skirt or professional shift dress are smart options as well. If a pant suit feels appropriate to you, by all means go for it but don’t feel like you need to make the investment just for a job interview. Of course, avoid anything that is too short, too tight or low cut – using good judgment and erring on the side of conservative is going to help you make the best first impression. For shoes, opt for low heels, ballet flats, regular flats or boots. Avoid sandals or open toed shoes as they are less formal in appearance. If you are interviewing at a private school and feel that the dress code for faculty and staff is more formal, you can certainly opt for a pants suit or skirt suit but this is generally not a requirement and shouldn’t warrant you making a new clothing investment. The chart below details the types of clothing that typically fall into each dress code category. While a school’s everyday dress code may be “casual” or “business casual,” it is best to lean towards selections in the “business” category for your interview.
Men: What to Wear to a Teaching Position Interview
Dress pants, a crisp button-down shirt and a sport coat comprise the perfect interview outfit for men. While wearing a blazer is considered optional for women, I think a sport coat is a must for men as it adds a layer of professional polish that is expected by most employers. Adding a tie can be a nice touch especially if you are meeting with the principal or other higher ups. Unless you are interviewing with a high profile, private school, I wouldn’t consider a navy blue or black suit as a requirement. If you are questioning this requirement, certainly ask your point of contact for dress guidelines so that you make the best choice. If you have ordered / bought a new outfit for the interview, be sure and iron or steam out any wrinkles or crease lines. You can take clothing to the dry cleaners as well for a fresh press. Dress shoes are required. If you have a pair that look a bit tired, grab some polish and you can have them looking brand new in no time. Most likely, you will have a series of interviews for teaching position. Whethr this is the first interview or the final interview, consider the dress code requirements the same and don’t be afraid to wear the same outfit twice – absolutely no one will remember!
Places to Buy Professional Men’s and Women’s Clothing
Some of my favorite stores to stock up on professional basics include: J.Crew Factory, Banana Republic, Gap, Kohls, TJ Maxx and Old Navy. All of these stores have regular sales so just keep an out for good deals.
Clothing / Accessories to Avoid
When pulling together the right outfit for your interview experience, leave these items at home:
- Jeans or anything denim
- Sneakers or tennis shoes
- Clothing with large, visible logos
- Anything with rips or holes
- Frayed pants
- Sandals / flip flops
- Overly loud or bright colors
- Crazy ties
- Crazy socks
- Short skirts or short dresses
- Hats
Color Choices
Pick colors that compliment your skin tone. If you have a paler complexion, avoid whites or overly light colors that will wash you out. It is a good idea to avoid busy patterns and overly bright colors simply as they can serve as a distraction during the interview. A pop of color in the way of lip stick or accessories is a nice touch. You want the hiring manager to be laser focused on your credentials and interview answers. Neutral colors are generally a safe bet for all complexions as they are classic and have a professional look but at the end of the day, the best color is the color that makes you feel confident. Don’t overthink the minute details.
Accessories
Keep your accessories simple. For example, avoid any bracelets that jingle when you move your arms. I typically opt for small to medium sized earrings and a simple necklace. If you wear a smart watch, make sure it is set to silent mode so that it is not buzzing or dinging during the interview and of course, don’t pause to look for any messages during the actual interview.
Make-up
I personally love a full make-up look as I think it enhances my features, brings more color to my very fair complexion and creates a polished look. A make-up free, natural look is also perfectly acceptable if that aligns with your personal style and makes you feel most comfortable. If you don’t typically wear make-up but are looking to boost your overall look, I think most women can benefit from mascara, blush and a coat of lip gloss.
Interview Tips
Now that we have outlined interview clothing that will meet the hiring team’s expectations and give you a professional look tight off the bat, let’s dive into what to do and say to make you stand out from the competition.
- If you are seated when the interviewer comes out to meet you, stand up, make direct eye contact and greet the individual by name. “Hi Donald, nice to meet you.” If a handshake feels comfortable to you, offer your hand. This effort will ensure that the hiring manager has a positive experience with you right away.
- Beyond the initial greeting, try to use the person’s name a few times throughout the interview. This will set you apart from 99% of the competition. It might feel strange the first time but using someone’s name regularly in conversation can quickly become second nature.
- A seemingly easy and common question asked during an interview is “Tell me about yourself.” Prepare your answer in advance of the interview and keep it to 3-5 sentences.
- It is perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous before and during an interview. If you happen to get stumped on a question and can’t think of an answer after a few minutes of thought, ask the interviewer if you can come back to that question later in the interview.
- If a job description was made available during the application process, give it another read the day of the interview so that the job responsibilities are fresh in your mind.
- Ideally your cell phone is nowhere in sight. My recommendation is to leave it in your car to avoid any calls or text messages you could receive during the interview. You’ll have a lot on your mind the day of the interview and very well could forget to put your phone on silent mode. If you choose to bring your phone inside to the interview, make sure the phone is on silent and keep it in a purse or pocket during the entire interview.
- No gum chewing or eating of any kind during the interview. Totally fine to accept a glass of water if offered or bring your own if you feel you may need it.
- Demonstrate strong body language throughout the interview. Sit up straight (no slouching) and keep your attention and eyes focused on the interviewer.
Good luck you’ve got this!
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