Congratulations, you landed a job interview in Dubai!
Now, you have to figure out what to wear.
Does it really matter how you dress for the job interview? Shouldn’t your stacked resume and winning personality be enough?
It’s great that you have these things. However, you also need to do your best to adhere to the company dress code.
Choosing an outfit that aligns with the interview dress code for men in Dubai shows that you’re serious about the job. It helps you to make a good impression and shows that you respect the interviewer and their time.
Below is a breakdown of the interview dress code for males in Dubai. You’ll also find some additional tips on building your personal brand and making a great first impression when you walk in the door for your interview.
Are Interview Dress Codes Important for Males in Dubai?
At one time, everyone wore suits and ties to job interviews, no matter what kind of job they were applying for.
Things have changed over the years, though. Now, the interview dress code for men in Dubai can vary quite a bit from workplace to workplace.
Some businesses in Dubai still require employees to wear suits and ties or other types of formal work attire. However, there are plenty of other companies, especially those in the tech and creative spheres, that are more casual and welcome less formal clothing.
This is why it’s so important to learn about different dress codes so you know exactly what to wear to a job interview in Dubai.
If you showed up for an interview with a bank wearing jeans and a T-shirt, you wouldn’t be taken seriously. If you showed up for a walk-in interview at a tech company wearing a suit and tie, you might seem like you’re taking yourself too seriously.
Remember, learning about and adhering to the company’s dress code shows that you’re serious about the job. It’s a sign of respect and an indicator that you’re willing to play by the rules.
How to Create a Good Personal Brand as a Man in Dubai?
How one dresses is an important part of their personal brand. There’s a lot more to personal branding for men than just choosing a great outfit and adhering to the interview dress code for men in Dubai, though.
Here are some other factors to consider that will help you to create a strong personal brand:
Social Media Presence
These days, it’s rare for a business to not look at your social media profiles before deciding whether or not to hire you for a particular position. Make sure your social media presence aligns with your personal brand and sends a positive message about who you are.
The following tips can help you tailor your social media profiles so they help you make a good first impression:
- Use a professional-looking profile picture
- Update your profile and profile links regularly
- Use a variety of social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- Be wary of who may be looking at your profiles, and avoid sharing information that could reflect poorly on you in the future
Online Portfolio
In addition to a strong social media presence, a well-designed and up-to-date online portfolio is another important part of personal branding for men. This is especially true if you’re applying for a creative job or a job in the tech world.
Many companies will ask to see a copy of your portfolio when you apply for the job, or they might ask you to bring samples with you to the job interview. Make sure you’re prepared with examples of your best work.
If you don’t have an online portfolio available already, start putting it together now. Gather samples of your past work and organize them in one central location.
There are lots of portfolio sites that can help with this. You can also create your own website with a portfolio section and link to it when applying for different jobs.
Online and Offline Networking
These days, a lot of personal branding takes place online. It’s still important to make sure you’re making a good impression when networking in person, too.
When you’re connecting with people virtually or in real life, here are some tips for better networking and personal branding:
- Be an active listener
- Ask questions and show a genuine interest in the other person
- Offer to help them or put them in touch with someone if possible (they’ll likely be more inclined to return the favor in the future)
- Don’t spread yourself too thin (if you’re trying to network with too many people, you might get confused and have a hard time remembering names and other key details, which can reflect poorly on you and your abilities)
Confidence Under Pressure
Finally, do your best to show that you are confident under pressure. Confidence is a great trait to have in just about any job setting, so it benefits you to try and make it part of your personal brand.
Remember, confidence is not the same as arrogance.
You shouldn’t walk into a job interview (or any other type of business situation) and act like you own the place. However, you should act like you’re happy to be there, ask engaging questions to the interviewer, and take opportunities to showcase your skills and talents.
What Are the Interview Dress Codes for Males in Dubai?
There are several different dress codes that men in Dubai might need to adhere to when interviewing for a job. The following are some of the most common ones to be aware of when you start choosing your outfit for the big day:
Business Formal
Of all the interview dress codes for men in Dubai, business formal is one of the most common, especially when you’re applying for a more traditional corporate position (such as a job in banking, business management, etc.).
If a company has a business formal dress code requirement, you should wear clothes that are crisp, neat, and professional. No wrinkles or rips are welcome here. In general, business formal clothing involves muted colors like black, blue, white, and grey.
The business formal interview dress code for males in Dubai typically requires a matching suit and tie. Some men also choose to wear a three-piece suit, but these are less common, especially in hot climates.
Business Casual
The business casual dress code is still professional and somewhat formal. However, there’s a bit more wiggle room compared to the business formal dress code.
For example, colors beyond black, grey, and navy are typically welcome in a business casual setting. Ties are generally optional, too.
If you’re not sure what to wear to a job interview in Dubai when the dress code is business casual, consider something simple like a pair of slacks with a button-down shirt and blazer, without a tie.
You could also wear a more casual pair of pants, such as chinos or nice (i.e., no holes or fading) jeans in some cases.
Smart Casual
The smart casual dress code is similar to the business casual dress code. It’s a bit less formal, though.
With the smart casual dress code, there’s more room for clothing items like plain T-shirts, sweaters, jeans, and sneakers. Solid colors or minimalist patterns are preferred with this dress code, although there is more room for the occasional brightly colored item.
An example of a smart-casual outfit worn to a job interview might be a pair of dark jeans, a plain T-shirt, and a blazer. Another example could be chinos, a button-down shirt, and clean, solid-colored sneakers.
Casual
The casual dress code is, of course, more casual than the others mentioned on this list.
At a job with a casual dress code, you’ll have a lot of options when it comes to your outfit of choice. More color options are on the table, and you can also have a little more fun when it comes to patterned clothing items.
It’s important to remember, though, that “casual” does not mean “sloppy”. The company may indicate that their dress code is casual, but that doesn’t mean you should wear pajamas and an old T-shirt to the job interview.
An example of a casual job interview outfit might be something simple like jeans with a plain T-shirt and sneakers. You could also wear a pair of khakis with a printed button-down shirt.
Creative Business
If you’re applying for a job in a creative field, such as graphic design or marketing, your potential employer may have a creative business dress code. With this dress code, there’s plenty of room for fun patterns and prints, as well as bright colors.
Keep in mind, though, that your attire should still be professional. Think business casual or smart casual mixed with a bit more edge.
An example of a creative business job interview outfit might be jeans, a bright-colored or patterned T-shirt, and a blazer.
Try to limit yourself to one printed or brightly colored item. Otherwise, you run the risk of looking a little too “extra.”
Tech Dress Code
The tech dress code is generally the most casual.
Most tech companies aren’t too particular about what their employees wear, and they often prioritize comfort to enhance their employees’ productivity. For the majority of tech job interviews, you will be just fine wearing jeans or chinos, a t-shirt or button-down, and sneakers.
If you’re applying for a higher-up position in the company, you may want to opt for a slightly more formal outfit (perhaps something that falls under the business casual or smart casual category, for example).
Bonus Tips for All Dress Codes
Whether you’re interviewing for a job with a business formal dress code or a tech dress code, here are some bonus tips that apply across the board. Remembering these tips, along with abiding by the interview dress code for men in Dubai, will help you stand out in a good way:
Dress for the Climate
The climate in Dubai is warm in the winter and hot in the summer. Be sure to keep your comfort in mind when you’re dressing for your job interview.
Look for lightweight clothing and stick to dark colors if you tend to sweat a lot. This will help you to feel cooler and more confident during your interview, which, in turn, will help you to make a good impression.
Avoid Wearing Too Much Cologne
Don’t overdo it on the cologne. There’s nothing worse than trying to have a conversation with someone while also trying not to choke on their cologne.
Remember, less is more. If you give your interviewer a headache because you sprayed too much cologne before you left the house, you’re going to hurt your chances of landing the job.
Keep Jewelry to a Minimum
Limit your jewelry as much as you can when preparing for a job interview, too. It’s generally best to stick to just your wedding ring and/or a watch.
The only exception might be more creative positions. If you’re applying for a creative job, you might be able to get away with an additional item or two.
It’s still best to err on the side of minimalism, though. You don’t want too much jewelry or too many accessories to distract the interviewer from what you have to say, right?
Style Your Hair
Finally, be sure to style your hair before you leave for your job interview. Conservative hairstyles are generally best. Make sure your hair and beard, if applicable, look neat and well-cared for, too.
If you show up to the interview with bedhead, at best, your appearance will be distracting and, at worst, your interviewer will assume that you don’t really care about the job.
Closing thoughts on interview dress codes for males in Dubai
Deciphering the job interview dress code for men in Dubai might seem intimidating at first. If you keep the guidelines outlined above in mind, though, you’ll have a much easier time figuring out what to wear to a job interview in Dubai and making a great first impression.
Good luck with your job search!
