We are often asked, what should a technician wear to a job interview?
There are many opinions on this subject, but we always tell technicians to err on the side of caution. It is far better to be overdressed than it is to be underdressed.
What to Wear to a Technician Job Interview
For the guys, we recommend the following interview attire:
- Collared shirt (button-up or polo), pressed
- Slacks, pressed
- Nice, clean shoes with a matching belt
- Neutral colors, no bold prints
Reminders for the guys:
- Make sure your clothes are a proper fit
- Clean shave and fresh haircut
- Clean, cut nails
- Easy on the cologne and aftershave
For the ladies, we recommend the following interview attire:
- Fitted blazer and button-up shirt or blouse, pressed
- Tailored pants, pressed
- Flat or low heel shoes, closed toe
- Neutral colors, no bold prints
- Subtle jewelry
Reminders for the ladies:
- Make sure your clothes are a proper fit
- Easy on the perfume
- Light, neutral makeup
- Combed, presentable hair or hair pulled back
- Clean nails
Regardless of what you wear, make sure that the presentation of your clothing is as clean and put together as possible. Walking into an interview with nice slacks that are wrinkled or a nice shirt that’s not tucked in could leave a poor impression. The sloppy look completely defeats the purpose of wearing those items.
Important note: Find out ahead of time if the potential employer is going to want you to demonstrate your skills. If so, be sure to bring a change of clothes, overalls, or something to protect your interview outfit.
Technician Job Interview Outfits
Outfit #1:
Jordan is wearing khaki dress pants, a subtly patterns button-down collared shirt, a blue sport coat, and matching dress shoes and belt.
Outfit #2:
Shane is wearing khaki dress pants, a nice button-down blue collared shirt, a tie, and matching shoes and belt. We’d recommend he press his slacks, but to his credit, this picture was taken late in the day.
Outfit #3:
Sara is wearing a long sleeve blouse with black dress pants, a belt, and flat shoes with minimal jewelry.
Outfit #4:
Val is wearing black dress pants, a pressed blue button-down shirt, and flat shoes. Her hair is nicely pulled back giving her a professional presentation.
Final Thoughts: Elevate the Technician Profession
As an industry, we are trying to elevate the technician profession in the eyes of our customers, schools, and society. By doing that, we gain the ability to get paid more and treated with more respect. We can take some huge steps in gaining those things by simply dressing well for an interview.
Now that you’ve got the look down, it’s time to prepare for the interview. Here are some helpful blog articles:
[Podcast] Technician Interview Tips ft. Garrick Weaver, Penn Power Group
40+ Questions Technicians Can Ask in a Mechanic Job Interview
Questions Shops Should Ask Technicians During an Interview
Editor’s Note: Last updated September 2022. This article was originally published in July 2020 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehension.
