This article outlines professional attire guidelines to help new teachers make a good impression with a teacher interview committee. Whether you are interviewing for your first job or are a seasoned teaching professional, we’ve got you covered on an outfit choice! We’ll also cover interview tips to help you stand out from 99% of the competition.
You want your interview attire to communicate that you are a professional who is exemplary qualified for this teaching job. Your appearance will be the first thing the interview team sees. When trying to decide what to wear, it is important to consider the potential employers’ dress code – if you are interviewing, for example, at a private high 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 as a starting point.
Men: What to Wear to a Teaching Position Interview
Dress pants, a crisp button-down dress 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. Ideally the blazer has a subtle pattern…you don’t want anything “too loud.” 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 business 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.
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 a teaching position. Whether you are preparing for first or second interviews, consider the dress code requirements the same and don’t be afraid to wear the same outfit twice – absolutely no one will remember!
Women: Outfit Ideas for a Teaching Interview
Dress black pants and a solid-colored or subtle, cute print blouse are always smart choices. Trends have moved away from “skinny leg” pants so try and pick a style that is straight leg, boot cut or wide leg. For additional style tips, check out my favorite: Merrick’s Art blog. I would recommend adding a black blazer to elevate your attire even more, but this is not absolutely required. A skirt or professional, simple dress are smart options as well. 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 if possible as they give a dressier look, but dressy flats can work too. 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 full 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.
Final Touches
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. You don’t want to make the effort of pulling together the right outfit for your interview only to show up with wrinkles and creases. Details matter!!
Additional Clothing / Accessories to Avoid
When pulling together the right outfit for your interview experience, avoid these items:
- Jeans or anything denim
- Sneakers or tennis shoes
- Clothing with large, visible logos
- Anything with rips or holes
- Frayed pants
- Sandals / flip flops / open toe shoes
- Overly loud or bright colors
- Crazy ties
- Crazy socks
- Short skirts or short dresses
- Hats
The last thing you want is to get a “ding” on your interview because of clothing or accessory choices.
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. An overall neutral color look is generally a safe bet for all complexions as neutrals 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 covered the important information of what to wear the day of your interview, 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 Grace, nice to meet you.” This effort will ensure that the interviewer 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. An example when answering interview questions might look like this: “That’s a good question, Alice. My favorite education class in college was….”
- 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. Practice this answer until it flows easily.
- It is perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous before and during an interview – especially a first interview. If you happen to get stumped on a question and can’t think of an answer after 15 seconds or so 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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