Does it really matter what you wear to a media interview? Yes, absolutely - even if you're working from home.
Each media interview is another opportunity to get in front of a larger audience and be perceived as a thought leader.
A person wearing business attire is more likely to be perceived as an authority than someone in jeans or casual clothes. In some industries, tech for example, "casual" is king. That's not the case in the finance industry. It's been an unusual year and many are still working from home. It might seem odd to put on a suit or business attire to sit in front of your computer in your home office, but if you appear in that interview in a sweatshirt you're much less likely to be perceived as an expert.
We've put together some tips to help you prepare.
Do's and don'ts for your next media interview
Do's
- Dress professionally – regardless of how you might dress daily for the office or home office
- If the interview is from home, test your equipment and lighting in advance
- If you’re wearing pants, consider knee-length socks; if you're working from home and going with a "business on the top casual on the bottom" look make sure your bottoms are out of sight
- Keep your jacket buttoned or only slightly opened
Don’t
- Wear green – if the studio intends to display graphics on a backdrop you could disappear
- Avoid stripes or loud patterns
- Don’t wear black, red, or white – older technologies can have difficulty with these colors
- If you wear jewelry, opt for less flashy choices and avoid jewelry that jangles or makes noise
If you’re still not sure, feel free to reach out to the producer for wardrobe suggestions prior to your interview.
Looking for still more tips on interview preparation?
Consider signing up for media training and remember that actions speak louder than words!
We've got some great resources that can help you prepare for your next media interview whether it's from home or in-studio.
Tips for Great Meetings and Interviews at Home
Download our e-book, Beyond Words: The Unspoken Word.
