For both women and men:
The finance sector, more so than other industries, puts a premium on a conservative appearance; it’s in your best interest to dress with caution for an interview.
Caution means maintaining a
clean, polished and professional look and steering clear of any pieces
that are funky, flashy or casual. One should always aim to
overdress, invoking the old adage: “Dress for the job you want, not the
job you have [or are currently interviewing for].”
Basically, if it’s an auditing position you’re after, dress as you imagine a VP of Finance might.Above all else, however, for both men and women it’s imperative that one’s interview suit fit impeccably. This should come as something of a relief for most, as it means one can be less focused on the brand or price of the suit.
You could honestly wear your grandfather’s
suit and have it retailored; it’s all about fit. You have to be
comfortable in it and it has to look like a million bucks on you—that’s
where a tailor comes in.
For those who can’t afford to buy a full-price suit, find something on sale and compensate by bringing it to a tailor
for a professional fitting.Other tips for both sexes include: get a manicure (yes, they’re looking at you, gentlemen); with all the handshaking and handling of documents, your digits will be on full display, and fully scrutinized; If it’s winter wear an elegant wool coat and never step into the building you’re about to interview in wearing winter boots. If, en route, you must don protective footwear, leave yourself time to scout out a nearby cafĂ© for executing quick changes.
The finance sector, more so than other industries, puts a premium on a conservative appearance; it’s in your best interest to dress with caution for an interview.
For men:
The suitIt’s imperative to wear a “power suit,” but it can’t be colourful. You don’t want them to remember you for your shirt, or for the colour of your tie. Rather, stick to a conservative black, charcoal or navy, with a crisp white button down shirt underneath.
The tie should be dark and solid, and bold patterns and colours are to be avoided like the plague.
So far as brands are concerned, Hugo Boss and Armani are safe bets. But Laprade again stresses the importance of a good tailoring job over anything else—ultimately, the fit of the suit will count for more than the name on the label.
The accessories
Find a briefcase that’s crisp and modern. Match your shoes to your belt (a brown belt with black shoes won’t do), and make sure your pants aren’t darker than your socks. Wear black leather shoes with laces and take care to polish them. Cufflinks are fine, too, as long as they’re understated.
Your grooming should be as meticulous as your choice of accessories: hair should be combed, face clean-shaven.
You could honestly wear your grandfather’s suit and have it retailored; it’s all about fit.
For women:
To make things slightly more complicated, women in finance often dress differently depending on the position, or the particular company or firm. Some of those firms almost have a uniform—each one is slightly different in what they wear.A little reconnaissance, then, may be in order. If, for example, you’re applying for an investment banker role, consider hanging out in the lobby of the building or just outside of it, just to get a sense of how the female employees are dressed and what they’re wearing.
The suit
Generally, however, you can’t go wrong with a classic skirt suit—in this conservative culture, a pants suit is probably less of a safe bet. The suit should be navy or black, and a crisp white shirt should be worn underneath.
There are warnings against even the smallest splash of colour (“unless you’re a very high-up executive”), but particularly red. Some women think red will add a flash of femininity, but you cannot do this in the financial industry. Stay away from anything red—even on the nails. That also means no red lipstick.
In terms of brands, you can’t go wrong with an Eli Tahari women’s suit, they’re “professional, crisp, and modern looking.”
The accessories
Accessories must be minimal and subdued. Earrings should be worn, as long as they’re not distracting. Think something classy, but close to the earlobe, like diamond studs. Further, “a pearl necklace is a must—it’s always a sure bet.
If you’re wearing a skirt, be sure to wear hosiery, even in the summer; bare legs are a definite no-no. As for shoes, they should always be closed toed and with a heel—though they should never exceed three inches.
Similarly, makeup should be kept light and minimal. Nothing distracting. You have to look conservative, mature and clean.
