Most first-round interviews are remote now, but some companies still do in-person, especially for final rounds.
Here's the thing about in-person: the bar is lower than you think, because most people underdo it. You don't have to wear a three-piece suit to stand out. You just have to look like you cared.
**Dress:**
- Business casual is the modern default. Collared shirt, clean pants, closed shoes. Blazer optional depending on the industry.
- Finance, law, consulting: lean more formal. Suit, tie.
- Tech, creative, startup: you can dress down slightly but still look put together. No hoodies.
- When in doubt, dress one level up from what they wear day to day. Slightly overdressed reads as respectful. Underdressed reads as lazy.
**Grooming:**
- Hair neat
- Shaved or beard trimmed
- Nails clean
- Light on cologne or perfume. Some people are sensitive to it.
- Shoes actually shined or at least clean (people notice more than they say)
**Logistics:**
- Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to the building. 5 minutes early to the actual office.
- Have a printed copy of your resume, even though they already have it.
- Know where you're going before the day. Don't figure out the parking for the first time at 9:55am for a 10am interview.
- Phone on silent. Not vibrate. Silent.
**The soft stuff:**
- Firm handshake, eye contact, a real smile
- Be nice to the receptionist, or whoever greets you. They sometimes get asked. More than one hire has been lost because the candidate was rude to the front desk.
- If they offer water, take the water. Gives you something to do with your hands.
The actual interview itself — the questions, the frameworks, the hard stuff — is a whole course. This chapter is just about showing up the right way. If you look the part, arrive on time, and treat everyone well, you've cleared a bar a surprising number of people don't clear.
