What Is the Dress Code for a Google Interview?

Business casual, or even smart casual, is right for almost every Google interview. Google offices are informal, and engineers usually wear jeans and a t-shirt. A full suit is not wrong, but it tends to look out of place and can make you appear unfamiliar with the company.

The safe choice is clothing that is neat, comfortable, and one small step smarter than what the team wears daily. A collared shirt, a plain sweater, or a simple blouse with clean trousers or dark jeans all work.

Nobody has ever been rejected by Google for their clothing. The reason to plan it is that it removes one thing to think about on the day.

Quick Overview

For a Video Interview

Most Google technical rounds are done over video. Your top half is what matters, so wear a plain, solid color that does not distract on camera.

Avoid busy patterns and stripes, which can shimmer on video. Test your camera in the actual room and light, because a dark room does more damage than an informal shirt.

Check the background too. A plain wall is better than a busy shelf.

For an Onsite Interview

Google onsites run several hours, and you may walk between buildings. Comfort is a real consideration.

Business casual with comfortable shoes is the standard answer. Bring a layer, because meeting rooms vary in temperature and you will be in them all day.

What Not to Wear

Avoid anything that needs adjusting. If you are pulling at a collar during a coding round, it is costing you attention.

Avoid strong fragrance in a small room. Avoid a brand new outfit you have not worn before, for the same reason.

What Actually Gets Scored

Nothing about your clothes. Google interviews are scored on the content of your answers and, for engineering roles, on your code and your reasoning.

Spend the preparation time accordingly. The clothing decision should take five minutes.

Does It Differ by Office or Country?

Slightly. Google offices in the United States and much of Europe are informal, and smart casual is normal everywhere.

Some offices in other regions run more formal, and candidates in India and parts of Asia report that business formal is more common there. If you are unsure about your location, ask the recruiter. It is a normal question and they answer it directly.

Client-facing and sales roles sit a step above engineering roles in formality. Engineering roles almost never require a jacket.

What About Onsite Etiquette Beyond Clothes

Bring photo identification, because you will sign in at reception. Arrive with time to spare, since campuses are large and you may need to be escorted.

Bring water and something to eat if you have a long loop. Interviews often run back to back with short gaps.

Carry a notebook if you like taking notes. Nobody objects, and it is useful in the questions section at the end of each round.

How to Prepare

• Decide the outfit the night before. Then stop thinking about it.
• Test the video setup in advance. Camera, light, background, and audio, in the room you will use.
• Put the time into the rounds instead. Grokking the Coding Interview covers the patterns Google reuses.
• Prepare the design round for senior roles. Grokking the System Design Interview covers the framework.
• Read the process answers. See the 5 rounds of a Google interview and what to expect in a Google coding interview.

For the whole Google process in one place, read the Google interview guide.