What to Wear to a Video Interview

The Core Rule: One Level Up

Dress one level above the company’s standard dress code. If the company is business casual, wear business professional. If it’s casual (tech startup, creative agency), wear smart casual. If it’s formal (law firm, investment bank), wear formal.

When in doubt, err toward more formal. You can always apologize for being overdressed; you can’t undo the impression of being underdressed.

By Industry

Finance, Consulting, Law

Wear: Suit (navy, charcoal, or black) for men; tailored jacket or blazer with dark trousers for women. Conservative tie or equivalent accessory. This industry is formal and expects formality.

Tech and Startups

Wear: Smart casual — a collared shirt or a clean blouse in a solid color. A blazer on top is a safe upgrade. Avoid hoodies or t-shirts, even if the company’s culture is extremely casual, for first-round interviews.

Marketing, Media, Creative

Wear: Smart casual with slightly more personality than tech. A well-chosen blazer in a non-neutral color, or a statement blouse. You have more latitude than finance candidates — but ‘creative’ should mean intentional, not random.

Healthcare

Wear: Business casual to business professional. A clean, professional appearance signals competence. Avoid scrubs for administrative or management roles unless specifically for a clinical position where it’s appropriate.

Education

Wear: Business casual. A blazer over a clean top is usually right. Approachable and professional, not formal.

Colors That Work on Camera

Best choices: Solid, medium-value colors — royal blue, burgundy, forest green, teal, soft gray. These read confidently on camera without creating problems.

Avoid:

• White — glows and overexposes against most backgrounds
• Bright red — bleeds color on some cameras and can be distracting
• Black — absorbs light and can make you appear flat, especially against a dark background
• Small patterns (pinstripes, houndstooth, fine plaid) — create a strobing “moiré” effect on camera

Best single choice: A medium-blue solid top or blazer is universally flattering on camera, reads as professional and approachable, and works against almost any background.

Accessories and Grooming

• Keep accessories minimal — large or dangling jewelry can distract or create noise on camera
• Your hair should be styled as if you’re going to an in-person interview (because you are)
• Glasses with anti-reflective lenses are ideal — standard lenses can reflect your screen back to the camera
• Make sure your outfit extends below the camera frame — if you need to stand up mid-interview, you don’t want to reveal sweatpants

The Bottom Half Rule

Even if only your top half is visible, dress professionally from head to toe. Standing up unexpectedly during an interview — to answer a doorbell, move a pet, or adjust your setup — happens. Candidates who were caught in business formal on top and shorts on the bottom report it as one of the most memorable interview moments for all the wrong reasons.

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear for a video interview at a tech company?

Smart casual: a collared shirt or clean blouse in a solid color. A blazer is a safe upgrade if you want to appear slightly more formal. Avoid hoodies and t-shirts for first-round interviews, even if the company's culture is casual — you can dress down later once you've built rapport.

What colors look best on camera in a video interview?

Solid, medium-value colors work best: royal blue, burgundy, forest green, teal, and soft gray. Avoid white (overexposes), bright red (color bleeds), pure black (appears flat in low light), and small patterns like pinstripes (create a strobing effect on camera).

Should I dress formally even for a casual company?

Dress one level above the company's standard code, even for casual companies. Smart casual for a startup; business casual for a tech company. You can always explain that you dressed up for the interview — that's seen as respectful, not excessive.

Do I need to wear professional clothes below the camera frame?

Yes. You may need to stand up unexpectedly — to fix your setup, answer a doorbell, or move a pet. Being caught in business formal on top and casual clothing below is memorable for the wrong reasons. Dress professionally from head to toe.

Does my outfit affect my chances in a video interview?

Yes, meaningfully. Studies consistently show that professional appearance in video interviews affects initial impressions and perceived competence ratings. The effect is strongest in the first 30 seconds. Getting your outfit right costs nothing beyond planning — it's a free advantage most candidates underuse.

Practice on video: record your answers on Employment.Media, re-record as often as you like, and share one Video Group link with employers. Get started free.