This is an article in a series of articles called Your Ultimate Guide to Law Student Recruitment. Don’t forget to read the previous article here: Applying and Interviewing for Law Student Jobs in Government
Introduction
Now that you know what a law firm interview and government law interview looks like and how to prepare, let’s talk about what to wear to your law interview. Remember, first impressions matter so the way you dress and present yourself is just as important as how you answer questions during the actual interview. I’m sure you already know this. You also know that you need to dress professionally for your interview. But this blog will help you figure out the “how”. How do you dress professionally for your interview, including practical tips for commuting and going to multiple interviews at the same firm.
Your First Interview
Your first interview is the time to put your best foot forward, so dress for success. Not just for your interviewers, but for you. If you dress the part, you will feel and be more confident. A suit is the standard and safest option for both men and women, and I recommend wearing that for your first interview. Yes, that seems obvious but hey you’d be surprised.
Men
Go for a neutral, dark suit paired with a button-up dress shirt, conservative tie, belt, and polished dress shoes. For colour, I would recommend navy or charcoal/grey, maybe black. Although I have heard that men should avoid wearing a black suit to a law interview. And if I’m being completely honest…I have no idea why lol. I assume it’s one of those arbitrary rules of “tradition.” Some say you look like a server and it just doesn’t give “polished” or “high end” vibes. Idek I’m not rich and I don’t pretend to understand rich people rules. Anyway, I’ve seen men wear black suits to an interview before so perhaps the idea is starting to become outdated. If you’re strapped for cash and you only have a black suit, don’t feel like you need to get a new one just for your law interview. If a firm doesn’t want to hire you because you wore a black suit, you probably don’t want to work there anyway. But just so you know, especially if you’re interviewing for big law, there is that “no black” suit rule for men. As for dress shirt and shoes, a white/neutral dress shirt and brown or black dress shoes are a safe bet. Match your belt with your shoes. Match your tie with your shirt and suit, and avoid any crazy tie patterns or colours (leave that for your dress socks, but if you wanna play it really safe then avoid patterns altogether).
Women
For women, the “no black” rule doesn’t seem to apply so feel free to wear black or wear the same thing: neutral, dark suit colours. Avoid bold colours like pink and sky blue. You can wear a white/neutral button up dress shirt or a blouse and blazer on top, and wear pants or a pencil skirt on the bottom. Just remember that the legal profession is known for being traditional and conservative so dress conservatively. Avoid revealing tops like ones with a low scoop neckline and avoid skirts above the knee (especially mini skirts, girl now is not the time). Also avoid any flashy accessories, patterns, and trendy pieces. For shoes, go with closed-toe shoes as it’s more professional. You can do dress shoes, heels or flats (like loafers), whatever you’re comfortable with.
Your Second Interview and Subsequent Interviews
If you do well in your first interview, you might get an offer for a second or third interview. So what do you wear to your second interview? Well, ideally, you’d want to wear a different suit. Follow the same rules as the first one: dark colours, conservative, safe. But make slight changes to show variety. Maybe your first suit was navy and your second is grey. But what if you don’t have a different suit? Do you need a new suit just for the second interview or any subsequent interviews? Not necessarily. Most law firms understand that as a law student, you may not have the budget for multiple suits. So it’s okay to wear the same suit for all of your interviews. Just make sure that it’s clean and well put together i.e. ironed, etc. You can show variety in other ways like by changing your tie or top.
Dress For The Occasion
A suit is always a safe bet for a formal in-person interview and any other occasion but dress for the occasion where you can. If you recall in my blog Introduction to Law Firm Interviews, socials are a part of the interview process. Some law firms might invite you for coffee, lunch or a mixer. So pay attention to the format of your interview and dress appropriately. For these types of events, you can get away with business casual. For men, you can lose the tie or wear slacks and a button-up shirt with or without a blazer. For women, you can wear a professional dress. But keep in mind the setting, if the interview is an informal coffee at Starbucks then business casual or smart casual is appropriate but if the interview is a lunch taking place at a high end restaurant, then it may be better to dress more formal. If you’re unsure, lean towards formality. It’s better to be overdressed than to be underdressed.
Accessories
I highly recommend accessorizing! It’s a great way to show your personality. Men, consider the following accessories: watch, tie, glasses, pocket square, briefcase, belt, etc. Women: watch, glasses, belt, jewelry (earrings, necklace, rings, bracelet), briefcase/purse, etc. Just don’t overdo it. Nothing too big or too crazy. Keep it simple and elegant.
Practical Tips
- Bring a change of clothes and shoes, especially if you’re commuting. The weather can be unpredictable. If it rains or you sweat, having an extra shirt or blazer will come in handy, and a comfortable pair of sneakers when you’re walking a lot can save you. Ladies, trust me. If you’re walking from one interview to the next, you will get blisters and they are the worst.
- Carry a lint roller and one of those tide pens for last minute fixes! These are game changers (seriously).
- Iron or steam your clothes before and polish your shoes. Do your hair nicely and professional. This might seem obvious so it’s easy to overlook. Make sure you’re properly groomed for the interview because these small details matter!
Conclusion
Dressing for your law interview doesn’t have to be complicated. Just remember to dress for the occasion, wear dark colours, dress in a conservative style, and focus on the details: wrinkle-free clothes, polished shoes, and professional grooming. You don’t need a closet full of suits to succeed, one well-fitted suit and a few thoughtful accessories can go a long way. Ultimately, law firms are interviewing you for your skills, personality, and potential. Not just your outfit. But presenting yourself professionally will help you start your interview on the right note. Best of luck!
This is an article in a series of articles called Your Ultimate Guide to Law Student Recruitment.
Previous article: Applying and Interviewing for Law Student Jobs in Government
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