Finding an outfit for a job interview can be a real headache. I share with you my interview experience for the position of editor at Bonne Gueule, accompanied by tips for formalizing the informal and which will perhaps help you feel confident and land the job of your dreams.
In 2023, is the suit still relevant?
Except for a position in the banking and finance sector, it is increasingly often left in the closet, to make way for a more informal, but not casual, outfit. Dress codes in companies are changing.
Golden rules were even recommended and necessary to respect in order to look good in front of the recruiter : trousers, a shirt, a jacket, a belt as well as leather shoes, or even a tie.
Today, more than ever, it is necessary to adapt to the identity and culture of the company you want to join. I sincerely believe that it is possible to stand out from the competition by being formal in an informal style.
How can we break away from these pre-established and sometimes outdated rules?
Dressing in a "classy" way
After researching the BonneGueule company, came the choice of the outfit I was going to wear for the interview.
Personally, I have a preference for simple but effective clothing styles , playing on materials and colors. And you are also free to adapt to the current season!
Simple and effective. Beautiful materials allow you to give a formal look while remaining informal.
As I am still a student , the adage "Less is more" has never been more relevant . I find the idea of putting yourself forward with pieces that are closer to the environment and culture of the company for which the interview is taking place more relevant. In the case of a clothing brand, do not hesitate to favor pieces from that brand, as far as possible.
That day for BonneGueule, I chose an oxford shirt, raw jeans and white sneakers, all accompanied by a leather "business report" bag from Bleu de Chauffe that accompanies me on my urban adventures. This outfit seemed judicious to me because of the relatively high temperatures for the end of May.
If you are ambitious, a nice Hawaiian shirt is also worth a try! But hey, try to respect the company culture anyway.
“The dress code reflects part of an organization’s DNA, it’s a kind of external projection of the company’s values.”
You can find more tips for preparing for your interview at Welcome to the Jungle .
I could have completed the outfit with a summer suit jacket, but unfortunately she drank my coffee instead of me that very morning...
© Radio France
Drink of mass destruction.
Simplicity and versatility
This Japanese oxford shirt, released in 2020, has quickly become my favorite , due to its versatility and its Ivy League style (related to its historical polo) that I particularly like. Its adaptability is such that it can be worn alone or with a t-shirt, as well as with a summer suit jacket.
If you want to learn more about the Ivy League style, don't hesitate to consult our file on this fashion from American universities right here:
It fits mybody perfectly (I am described as rather tall and slender) and gives it style thanks to its slightly puffy and supple fabric. The red selvedge edging from the jeans recalls the Japanese origins of the fabric, but also echoes my Audemer jeans (formerly AVN).
Raw denim: at the crossroads of casual and professional
For the pants, I was keen to wear my straight fitted selvedge jeans from Audemer, which embodies my love for beautiful denim fabrics and European know-how, between Candiani canvas and French manufacturing. I know that this one will accompany me for a very long time in my adventures , professional or not.
© Audemer
Its raw look allows for a versatile, casual chic style, coupled with a cut that subtly hugs my legs, without suffocating them. I rolled it up slightly to reveal the famous selvedge edging, and show that this piece was not chosen at random.
I wanted to make a good impression with this choice, since it embodies my personal aspirations for the relocation of the textile industry in France, and above all my desire to consume better.
Sneakers: a risky choice?
On my feet, white National Standard sneakers . A hesitation all the same with my pair of black RM Williams ankle boots, which would have echoed my trip to Australia and my passion for boots, in addition to bringing a more formal side to the outfit.
© RM Williams
RM Williams Comfort Craftsman boots, bought in Australia. But hey, it was too hot to wear them.
However, I humbly admit that I chose this pair for comfort and to better withstand the heat. As qualitative as the pair may be, their casual aspect remains a risk for an interview.
In short, choose a pair of shoes that will flatter your style and match the image you want to project.
Be confident, and come as you are (even if you're not going to McDonald's)
© Vecteezy
A nuance to finish. I left confident, and returned uncertain. My outfit fueled the conversations of the family dinner . At the end of the debate, doubts set in. I would have chosen a shirt that was too "simple", an outfit that was too "light", and above all, jeans, a "faux pas" for an interview. I took their considerations into account, but I remain sure of my outfit.
Very enthusiastic about my interview with BonneGueule, this simple but versatile outfit assured me a certain consistency and confidence. I needed spontaneity, to put myself forward with pieces that made me happy. The idea is not to be disconcerted by the opinions of others: it is entirely possible to reconcile the established dress rules and one's personal demarcation.
Ultimately, I remain convinced that what matters most in an interview is the content . While content can take precedence over form, the opposite is never the case. But still, avoid coming in jogging pants.
NB: For my first day as an editor at BonneGueule, I braved the heatwave of this August 2023 and arrived at the office with my beige Axel chinos and my Maruwa shirt in a blend of linen, cotton and ramie, giving a light and rough texture. Me, addicted to BonneGueule pieces? I don't know what you're talking about.
And of course, my trusty white/burgundy pair from National Standard.
