No, it is not advisable to wear sandals during an interview.
Showing up for an interview looking your absolute best not only creates a good impression on your employers but also reflects your professionalism and attention to detail; it also helps you feel confident about yourself and that means you perform better during interviews.
The perfect interview attire must make you look responsible, intelligent, and professional. That’s why it is so important to dress appropriately during an interview, along with proper formal shoes.
Clothes and shoes for the interview can be varied, and you can express your sense of style through them. Both men and women should take care to wear the right shoes. While the shoes are essential, they should also accompany the overall outfit.
However, no matter what you wear, wearing sandals to the interview is inappropriate. You might be someone who is not particular about how they dress for an important occasion.
Why Shouldn’t You Wear Sandals For an Interview?
Shoes can make or break an outfit.
Sandals are comfortable, but they are way too casual for an interview. Even if you are going for an interview in a company with a relaxed work atmosphere, wearing sandals for an interview is not advisable, as they give off a very laid-back attitude.
Of course, dress sandals are available, but wearing them is still not advisable, as some people cannot differentiate between them and a regular pair of sandals. Any shoes with open toes should be avoided during an interview or for any formal occasion related to your workplace.
Sandals can only be worn with casual outfits, and interviews demand that you wear formal or semi-formal outfits during an interview. Sandals do not go with them and can ruin your entire look. In addition, it is also not professional to go to work wearing casual attire.
What Constitutes a Proper Interview Attire?
If you are still deciding what to wear for an interview, it is best to stick with formal attire. Wear a suit, a formal shirt and trousers, and formal shoes. You can wear a formal jacket if you do not want to wear a suit.
Suppose you are meeting your employers for a brunch interview or somewhere outside the office. In that case, you can go with business casuals. You can wear trousers, a top or shirt with some print and color, and a semi-formal jacket.
However, even then, you cannot wear sandals to the interview and should wear something close-toed. Men can wear formal sneakers, and women can opt for shoes with platform heels, but they should have closed toes.
Can You Wear Colored Shoes to an Interview?
No, it is not advisable to wear colored shoes to an interview.
You can add some personal style to the attire in the form of color. It is best to stick to a neutral color palette for an interview, but you can wear a shirt with print, and it will add a dash of color to the outfit as the shirt peeks from under the jacket.
In the same way, you can add some color by adding a scarf or a colored bag to the outfit. However, it is best to stay away from colored shoes. Red, orange, or green shoes might look very trendy, but they are not suitable for an interview, even if they have a formal style.
If you are wearing business casual, you can wear formal or semi-formal shoes of the same color, but it is better to stick to a neutral color palette. The shoes can have some highlights or accents, but that should be the extent of the color of your shoes.
Why Can’t You Wear Sandals to an Interview Despite Being Comfortable?
Yes, sandals are indeed the most comfortable type of footwear. That’s why people like wearing flip-flops on the beach! Since there is a lot of pressure during an interview, it would help if one did not have to worry about the discomfort arising from one’s shoes.
Formal shoes can feel constricting at times, but if you plan your interview outfit well, you can pick out a comfortable pair of shoes before the interview.
However, if you still want to wear something comfortable, you can wear sandals to the office. You can change into your formal shoes before leaving your car or in the washroom before heading to the interview area.
A pair of sandals as a backup for the interview is a good idea. This can be handy if you must take public transportation and reach the office in bad weather. You can wear your sandals until you get to the office, and then change into your formal shoes once you have reached the interview venue.
This prevents your shoes from getting dirty, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning your shoes before walking into the interview; walking in with dirty shoes will also work against you.
How to Choose Good Footwear for an Interview?
If you want to plan your interview attire properly, then thinking about your shoes should be a part of it. Here are some points to keep in mind.
- If you are getting a new pair of shoes, ensure they fit well. They might be great to look at and seem perfect for your chosen attire, but you want to keep your toes from being pinched while answering your interview questions.
- Do not buy shoes that only go well with one kind of interview attire. Instead, invest in a good pair so that it goes well with any formal outfit for any other interviews or formal occasions that you may attend later.
- Be sure to walk in your shoes before you buy them. Do not buy a pair that makes a lot of tick-tock noises with the heels as you walk down. That can sound jarring while walking into an interview room.
- Make sure that your shoes are not prone to staining. They should be easy to wipe off and clean just in case you get something on them on your way to the office on a busy morning. That way, you won’t have to worry if someone spills coffee on your shoes on the subway!
Conclusion
Ideally, you should never wear sandals to an interview and always try to wear formal or semi-formal shoes. Wearing the proper attire can help you make a great first impression on prospective employers.
