Dress Code for MBA Personal Interview

You may have a very good dressing sense; you may believe in the saying “It’s not about what fits you but what you fit into”; but MBA personal interviews are a different ball game altogether that one must take cognizance of. Dress code is an important part of PI preparation.

One thing that you should keep in mind for any MBA interview is that B-schools love conservative dress code. So keep your fashion senses in reserve for some other occasion. For an MBA interview it is always advisable to wear formal clothes.

A candidate wearing a well-chosen business shirt and tie or skirt and top or blouse will be preferred as these dresses reflect your seriousness.

You can never go wrong if you dress conservatively for an interview at a B-school in India.  Moreover, clothes should be wrinkle-free and clean. Never forget to remove tags from the clothes you wear. Also make sure your clothes are lint-free. Shirt cuffs should be half inch below the jacket sleeve. Jewellery should be kept to a minimum; wear only gold or silver that too sparingly. Wear a dress watch, not a plastic band watch. Always have fresh breath, but do not keep gum or mint in your mouth. Avoid having smoker’s breath or smoker’s clothing. Do not wear perfume or cologne. Wear deodorant. Refrain from carrying backpacks into the interview.

Avoid loud colours and visible body piercing (nose rings, eyebrow rings, etc.) or tattoos. Hair should be tied in a neat manner. Carry light briefcase or folder only if needed. 

Besides these, you should also take care of the following:

Men

·         Wear a navy or dark gray suit for the  interview

·         The jacket should match the pants

·         Wear a pressed and starched white or ivory long-sleeved shirt; 100 percent cotton is recommended

·         The tie should be conservative; avoid a distracting eye-catching tie

·         The tie should reach right above your belt buckle

·         Always wear a belt if the pant has belt loops; a  leather belt matching the colour of your shoes is recommended

·         Wear black shoes (wing tips) that do not have scuff marks or a worn heel

·         Wear black calf length socks

·         Always button your jacket; it’s o.k. to unbutton when you sit down

·         Shave before the interview

Women

·         Wear a navy or other dark coloured skirted suit for the MBA personal interview

·         The jacket and skirt should match, and the same colour is recommended

·         The skirt length should be  up to the knee or below it, it should never be above the knee

·         Wear a non-wrinkled blouse that complements your suit; cotton or silk is recommended

·         Wear closed-toe leather classic pumps with heels no higher than 3" and no scuff marks

·         If you bring a purse, it should be compact and match the colour of your shoes

·         No more than six pieces of jewellery (2 rings, 2 earrings, 1 watch, and 1 bracelet) should be worn; earrings should be small

·         Get a haircut one month before your interview to make sure you are comfortable with the cut. Short hair is recommended for business; however, if your hair is longer pull it back or put it up. If you dye your hair, make sure that your roots are not showing. Makeup should be minimal and in neutral colours

·         Hands should be manicured; clear or neutral nail polish is recommended

·         Wear skin-tone hosiery (your hosiery should not be darker than your shoes); patterned hosiery is not appropriate