The biggest job interview mistakes Gen Zers make, from a recruiter: ‘Get dressed’

Candidates have also come in various states of undress.

One candidate Levine was interviewing for a variety of potential roles showed up to the Zoom call wearing a bathrobe. Levine was not impressed.

“I think that’s bad judgment,” she says. “And I think it says a lot about the decisions that they make.” If this candidate doesn’t think to put their best foot forward for a potential job, what else would they think is appropriate when they’re actually doing the job?

Needless to say, “she didn’t make the cut.”

Others have shown up in even less, Levine says, sharing that more than one young candidate has worn a work-appropriate top but been “completely naked on the bottom.” She discovered their choice of apparel when they accidentally moved their phone camera.

Most recently, Levine interviewed a young woman for an entry-level HR job having made the same sartorial choice. This time, however, the woman didn’t seem to realize that behind her was a full-length mirror. Which is to say this candidate was mooning Levine the entire conversation.

Levine didn’t last long in the interview — about five minutes altogether, she says. “It was hard to not laugh but also I just felt so uncomfortable.” Once again, this showed bad judgment. “And it’s just super embarrassing.”

What you wear to an interview can depend on the industry you’re interviewing for. “I would recommend wearing a suit and tie to an investment banking interview,” Levine says, “but more professional chic attire to a fashion interview or something more creative.”

Generally speaking, “J.Crew, Theory, Ann Taylor, Suitsupply, Zara, etc. are usually a good idea for inspiration,” she says.

At the very least, though, when it comes to preparing for a job interview, “just, like, get dressed,” Levine says.