Tim WilliamsSenior Project Manager/PMO Manager| Tim Williams consulting Ltd Halesowen, United Kingdom
I recently had a Teams‑based job interview where I dressed smart‑casual — something I’ve always considered appropriate for video interviews.
The feedback surprised me: the panel expected me to attend in a full suit.
For face‑to‑face interviews, I always wear a suit. But for virtual interviews, I’ve typically taken a more relaxed approach, assuming the expectations were different.
It made me wonder: what is the right level of formality for a video interview today
I’d love to hear your thoughts — especially from hiring managers and recruiters.
Is a suit now the standard for virtual interviews, or does it depend on the role, industry, or company culture
Imran AfzalAuthor| The Strategic PMOCary, NC, United States
Interesting question, Tim.
Having been both a hiring manager and a candidate, my view is that there is no universal standard anymore. Expectations vary significantly by industry, company culture, and seniority of the role.
For virtual interviews, I typically wear a jacket and collared shirt regardless of the company. Not because I believe attire is a strong predictor of performance, but because I never want my clothing to become part of the discussion.
That said, I think the more interesting signal is what the feedback reveals about the organization. If a panel specifically expected a full suit for a Teams interview, that may tell you something about their culture, leadership expectations, and how they define professionalism.
My general rule is to dress slightly above the expected norm for the organization. When in doubt, err on the side of being more formal. It's difficult to be disadvantaged by being slightly overdressed, but the reverse is not always true.
I'm curious whether the feedback came from a recruiter, HR, or the hiring panel itself. That context would make a difference in how I interpret it. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
An interesting question.
My view is that the real issue may not be whether a suit is required for a virtual interview, but whether expectations were aligned beforehand.
Professionalism certainly matters, and candidates should make an effort to understand the culture of the organization they hope to join. However, interviews are also a two-way assessment.
If a hiring panel considers formal business attire essential, communicating that expectation in advance may be just as important as the candidate meeting it.
In many cases, misunderstandings arise not from a lack of professionalism, but from differing assumptions about what professionalism looks like in a changing work environment.
Perhaps the broader question is whether recruitment processes should evaluate candidates on their capabilities and judgment, or on expectations that were never explicitly shared. Saving Changes...
Program Manager| HARPER SRLSanto Domingo / Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic
I think it depends on the role, industry, and company culture, but my approach has always been to dress as professionally as I would for an in-person interview.
A suit may not be expected everywhere, especially in technology or more casual environments, but it is rarely viewed negatively. When expectations are unclear, I'd rather be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Saving Changes...
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