Virtual (Zoom) Interviews – What to Wear – Male

The article outlines what men should wear to look professional on a virtual job interview. Whether you are interviewing for your first job or are a seasoned professional, we’ve got you covered!  We’ll also discuss interview tips to help you stand out from 99% of the competition.  

Depending on your age, you may or may not remember when interviewing for a professional job was a half to full day affair.  If you had a current job and were interviewing for another, you typically had to take a half or full day of PTO in order to get dressed properly, commute to the interview location and then sit for an in-person interview.  Thankfully, 82% of employers currently use virtual job interviews in some capacity so interviewing isn’t quite the production it used to be.  How you dress and conduct yourself are still just as important however so let’s break down the fundamentals.

Men: What to Wear to a Virtual Interview

The general rule used to be that you wore a business formal suit to an interview, no matter what.  That has changed a bit as workplace dress codes continue to generally trend more towards the smart casual side.  As of 2022, the percentage of employers citing casual dress codes rose to 70%.  While you don’t want to join online interviews in a hoodie, my general recommendation is to elevate your attire one level above the company dress code. **It is important to note that dress codes can vary drastically by industry and specific company.  You can typically determine the company dress code by checking the company website or even asking your main point of contact for the interview.  Reviewing online social medial accounts such as LinkedIn can also help you get a sense of the company culture which can inspire what you choose to wear. 

Elevated Attire

The chart below details what types of clothing are typically included in each dress code category. For example, if the company’s dress code is casual attire, this typically means that men and women alike could be wearing t-shirts and jeans. If you were to elevate your attire one level above “Casual Dress Code” you would pick clothing that has a checkmark in the “Business Casual” column.  This might include a button-down shirt and dress pants.  For adults interviewing for full time roles, I would avoid polo shirts / golf shirts as a rule of thumb even though they fall into the “Business Casual” column.  Reason being they are just a bit too casual for the vast majority of interview situations. I think adding a suit jacket or blazer is a good choice when you are looking to elevate your overall professionalism.

Complete Your Outfit

Complete your outfit down to your shoes for a Teams or Zoom job interview for a couple reasons: 1) You never know if you might need to stand up during the interview – perhaps a power cord comes undone, or you have an impromptu coughing fit and need to grab a class of water 2) Being fully dressed from head to toe is another way to put your best self forward and make strong first impressions. 

Clothing / Accessories to Avoid

Avoid t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, visors, “loud” jewelry, tinted glasses or sunglasses and large brand logos on your clothing.

Color Choices

Pick colors that compliment your skin tone.  If you have a paler complexion, avoid a white shirt or overly light colors that will wash you out.  It is a good idea to avoid busy patterns and bright colors as well as they can serve as a distraction during the interview.  Solid colors are a strong choice for your Zoom interview outfit. 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.  

Lighting 

Good lighting is important for your Zoom call.  You generally don’t want to be seated with your back to a window as that can darken how you appear or create shadows.  If you want to test how you will appear on camera, have a friend video you on their phone and then watch the video to check the lighting.  You can always temporarily move a desk to get positioned in the best possible light and background.  If you are seated in a space that is naturally darker, you can move a lamp or two to the space in front of you to create more illumination.  Also, most video platforms have what are informally known as “beauty filters” where you can automatically or manually adjust the color and lighting filters.  This is likely only an option if you are already familiar with the video platform and know how to quickly make those adjustments.  

Camera Angle

#1 rule is to look directly into the screen that has your camera for the video call. If you work from home on a regular basis and have multiple screens, I cannot emphasize enough to look at the main screen with the camera.  Strong eye contact and visible facial expressions is one of the top ways to connect with another person and you want the hiring manager to know you are laser focused on this opportunity   Also make sure your face is fully in the camera frame by moving the computer or chair closer or further away. 

Sit Still

It is perfectly normal to have nervous energy during an interview – it happens to the best of us!  Channel that energy into enthusiasm in your answers and avoid touching your hair or face during the interview.  An idea is to keep your hands placed on the desk for the entire interview which may pose a challenge for the hand talkers among us.  Also, keep your feet firmly placed on the ground to avoid swiveling in your chair.  

Zero Disruptions in the Background

While it was cute in 2020 and 2021 to have kids, spouses, roommates or dogs wander into the background during Zoom calls, that is really not the case anymore in 2025.  If you are working from home and especially interviewing remotely, ensure you are in a space where you will be alone for the entirety of the interview.  You want to convey complete professionalism and also not get distracted during one of your answers if a cat happens to jump on your desk.  This might involve doing the interview away from home in a space that meets all the criteria outlined above or, making sure you have the right childcare and/or pet care in place.  

Strong Internet

I have been on endless virtual meetings where participants have a glitchy internet connection.  The result can be lags in communication transmittal, echos or a frozen screen – all of which detract from your interview.  Set yourself up for success by choosing a location that has a tried-and-true strong internet connection.  If you live in an area with unreliable internet, alternate options include: 1) Doing the interview at a friend or family member’s house that has strong internet 2) Reserving a private room at your local library is a great option as they will typically have strong internet.  Avoid public places such as a coffee shop where you can’t control the variables around you.  Public places can get noisy and also distract you during your important interview.

Power Up / Power Down

Make sure your computer is fully charged.  I like to have my power cord connected as well for extra piece of mind.  Also, close out all tabs and programs other than the tab you need to connect to the meeting.  If you receive pop up alerts from social media sites, email or messaging alerts, turn them off for the interview.