MBA interview dress codes have changed a little now that so many prospective students find themselves interviewing online. So what should you wear for the big event?
MBA interview dress code - female
Deciding what to wear for an MBA interview can be tougher for woman, who don't have the same 'standard business uniform' option as their male colleagues. Generally speaking, the advice for men and women alike is that it's always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. A dark skirt or pants suit and plain white or light coloured shirt is the standard, safe option. A smart, tailored dress and matching or complementary jacket is also a good choice, whether you are interviewing online or in person.
If you are heading to campus for an in-person interview then be aware that your day may include a tour of the school, so ensure that you are comfortable walking around in your outfit.
MBA interview dress code - male
Men interviewing for an MBA program should generally stick with a simple, conservative business suit. For an on-campus interview a tie is advised, for online it's optional - again you're generally better off being over dressed than underdressed, but you also want to feel comfortable and like the best version of yourself.
How to dress for online MBA interview
The days of on-campus interviews may be coming to an end, helped along by COVID-19. An increasing number of MBA interviews were already taking place online and the pandemic has only accelerated the trend.
Whilst the dress code for an online MBA interview is similar to that for on campus (this is one Zoom/Skype/Teams call not to take in your pyjamas/hoody/sweatpants) - there are a couple of additional things to bear in mind. Avoid patterns or details on clothes which are too fussy or distracting - the same goes for accessories. Test your outfit in front of your camera ahead of time, at the same time of day or with the same lighting that you will be using. Does it look OK, can you sit in it without it noticeably wrinkling? How does your hair/grooming look on camera, too?
And finally - for something as important as your MBA interview, don't be tempted to go for the smart on top, casual on the bottom approach. You never know when you might need to move around on a call and you don't want to get caught out!