What to wear to a Sri Lankan job interview, by sector

The unwritten dress code of Sri Lankan interviews

Your CV got you the interview. What you wear decides whether they remember you for the right reasons. Sri Lanka's professional dress culture varies wildly by sector — what signals "serious candidate" at CBSL would make you look out of place at a Colombo 7 tech startup. Getting it wrong isn't career-ending, but it hands an easy first impression to recruiters before you've opened your mouth.

Here's what actually works, sector by sector.

IT and tech companies

Virtusa, WSO2, 99X, Calcey, and most product companies have shifted firmly toward smart casual. Neat dark chinos or tailored trousers, a clean collared shirt (untucked is fine at most places), and closed-toe shoes will put you comfortably mid-range — visible effort without overdressing.

Avoid a full suit at software-focused companies unless the role is explicitly client-facing or at leadership level. You risk signalling a cultural mismatch before the conversation even starts.

Women: Tailored trousers or a midi skirt with a blouse or neat blazer. Overly formal suits in tech environments can read as stiff rather than senior.

Banking and financial services

At Commercial Bank, HNB, Sampath, Nations Trust, or any CBSL-regulated institution, the interview room will be formal. For men, a full suit — or at minimum a blazer with pressed trousers and a tie — is expected. For women, a formal saree, a fitted blazer-and-trouser set, or a formal dress with sleeves reads most professionally.

This is one of the few sectors where being overdressed almost never counts against you.

Government and statutory boards

Treat government interviews like banking — formal and conservative. If you're appearing before a PSC (Public Service Commission) interview panel or a ministry selection board, a light-coloured shirt with dark trousers (for men) or a formal saree or blazer-skirt combination (for women) is the expected standard.

Fabric matters in Colombo's heat: opt for breathable cotton or linen-cotton blends. Government buildings are inconsistently air-conditioned, and arriving visibly overheated undermines an otherwise strong presentation.

Apparel and manufacturing

Corporate roles at MAS Holdings or Brandix headquarters in Colombo follow standard business-casual norms. If your interview includes a factory floor visit — common for engineering or production management roles — prioritise practical, closed-toe footwear. Heels on a factory floor are genuinely unsafe, and experienced panel members will notice.

For senior corporate positions at group headquarters, a blazer with smart trousers or a tailored dress is appropriate.

Hospitality and tourism

Presentation is the product in hotels and hospitality. International chains like Cinnamon Hotels, Shangri-La, or Jetwing look for groomed, polished candidates. The interview itself isn't about wearing the hotel uniform, but demonstrating that you understand and live by presentation standards.

A clean, pressed formal outfit in neutral tones signals seriousness. Avoid busy prints, overly casual fabrics, or accessories that distract.

Advertising, media, and creative agencies

Creative firms in Colombo — whether an ad agency in Colombo 3 or a digital production studio in Nawala — operate with relaxed internal dress cultures. Smart casual is appropriate for interviews; a well-fitted outfit in a colour you'd actually choose, rather than "interview grey," reads authentically here.

Showing zero personal style in a creative interview can raise a quiet eyebrow. Keep it polished, but don't strip all personality from what you wear.

BPO and contact centres

Most BPO and outsourcing operators use semi-formal as the interview standard. A neat collared shirt or blouse with dark trousers is the reliable middle ground — nothing flashy, nothing worn.

Healthcare

For clinical roles recognised by SLMC — nursing, pharmacy, medical officer positions — neutral, conservative clothing is the norm. Anything that reads as too casual signals you haven't taken the selection seriously. Administrative and managerial healthcare roles follow general business-casual convention.

The practical checklist

Before the interview day, run through these:

• Iron or steam your outfit the night before, not the morning of
• Polish your shoes and check for scuffs
• Remove visible lint or pet hair
• Keep accessories minimal — one watch, simple earrings, nothing that moves noisily
• If you're commuting by three-wheeler or bus in Colombo heat, carry a spare shirt or blouse
• Avoid heavy cologne or perfume in enclosed interview rooms

The rule that applies everywhere

Clean and pressed beats expensive every time. A Rs. 3,500 cotton shirt that's been ironed carefully will read far better than a Rs. 15,000 shirt crushed at the bottom of a bag. Interviewers across Colombo are not checking labels — they're checking whether you showed up ready. That readiness is the first signal you send, before you've answered a single question. Make sure it's the right one.