How to Dress Business Casual
Ask for specific expectations., Observe other employees., Dress formally for interviews.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Ask for specific expectations.
If you're not sure what your company's policy is, ask the HR rep.
Dress more conservatively on the first day if you have no other coworkers to benchmark your attire against.
Business casual is often thrown out there to describe how your employer thinks you should dress at work.
The problem is that the expectations of individual companies often differ.
For example, one company might want you to dress in business attire, minus a suit coat and tie, while another company may encourage you to wear khakis or jeans.
When you are told to dress business casual, it is best to ask for details.
Ask if your employer has an employee handbook that more clearly delineates the company's business casual policy. -
Step 2: Observe other employees.
Look around and see what the other employees are wearing; this is a good gauge of what your employer expects when they say business casual. , If you're going on an interview and you don't know what your interviewer expects you to wear, the standard is business formal.
Remember, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Those who are interviewing for a job in business, banking and wealth management, politics, academia, engineering, or health sectors should dress business formal unless otherwise instructed.
If no clothing type is specified, and the company you're interviewing for is outside the sectors listed above, stick with business casual. -
Step 3: Dress formally for interviews.
Detailed Guide
If you're not sure what your company's policy is, ask the HR rep.
Dress more conservatively on the first day if you have no other coworkers to benchmark your attire against.
Business casual is often thrown out there to describe how your employer thinks you should dress at work.
The problem is that the expectations of individual companies often differ.
For example, one company might want you to dress in business attire, minus a suit coat and tie, while another company may encourage you to wear khakis or jeans.
When you are told to dress business casual, it is best to ask for details.
Ask if your employer has an employee handbook that more clearly delineates the company's business casual policy.
Look around and see what the other employees are wearing; this is a good gauge of what your employer expects when they say business casual. , If you're going on an interview and you don't know what your interviewer expects you to wear, the standard is business formal.
Remember, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.
Those who are interviewing for a job in business, banking and wealth management, politics, academia, engineering, or health sectors should dress business formal unless otherwise instructed.
If no clothing type is specified, and the company you're interviewing for is outside the sectors listed above, stick with business casual.
About the Author
James Richardson
Enthusiastic about teaching hobbies techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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