How did you dress at your first IT job?

Remedymp

Just buy yourself a clip on tie and do NOT wear an all white button down for Desktop support. I made the mistake of doing this on my first desktop job and had to decommission a set of servers that were EOL.

By the end of the day, my shirt was either gray or black.


Usually a simple dress shirt and tie is sufficient for the first day. I typically now just wear all the essentials of the wall street banker without the salary.

When in Rome, do what the romans do.

Anonymouse

I unintentionally dressed like Moss from IT Crowd at my first job. I didn't have much money for nicer clothes at the time. I also had a habit of not trying on clothes before buying them, as long as the label said my size I'd buy it. So my work clothes were extremely loose. I looked like a complete nerd.

Now I usually I just follow whatever the workplace policy is on dress. Luckily my current job lets me come in tee, jeans, and sneakers.

Segovia

Anonymouse wrote: »

I unintentionally dressed like Moss from IT Crowd at my first job. I didn't have much money for nicer clothes at the time. I also had a habit of not trying on clothes before buying them, as long as the label said my size I'd buy it. So my work clothes were extremely loose. I looked like a complete nerd.

Now I usually I just follow whatever the workplace policy is on dress. Luckily my current job lets me come in tee, jeans, and sneakers.

This was hilarious to read, cause I could see myself doing it. (Hence the creation of this thread.)

Thanks everyone for your input, I just returned from Macy's because they have tons of sales right now. Picked up a few pairs of dockers and a few nice but casual shirts. I honestly think jeans might be fine for this environment. But like others have said, better to be over dressed than under.

OctalDump

Anonymouse wrote: »

I unintentionally dressed like Moss from IT Crowd at my first job. I didn't have much money for nicer clothes at the time. I also had a habit of not trying on clothes before buying them, as long as the label said my size I'd buy it. So my work clothes were extremely loose. I looked like a complete nerd.

Now I usually I just follow whatever the workplace policy is on dress. Luckily my current job lets me come in tee, jeans, and sneakers.

Yeah, that's actually not a bad thought. You want to be more Moss than Roy. On your first day, something like Jen, but Reynholm would be overdoing it for a lowly IT man. Richmond would be a brave choice, unless it's his "From Goth 2 Boss" phase.

So, start at Jen, then move to Moss, then once you are comfortably settled you can start dressing like Roy.

John-John

First day working in a security operations center and it was my first IT job, aside from my internship. I came wearing dress clothes for about a week while everyone else looked like they were coming to a LAN party. Hoodies, jeans, shorts, ball caps. I was used to casual because I was an electronics tech and we dressed comfortably. But I thought IT would have some decorum. Also, I felt ridiculous because I had just gone to Macy's and spent a bunch of money on clothes.

Danielh22185

Just dress the part. Ask before your first day. I agree its best to dress a bit above than maybe what is expected the first day / week but don't overdo it, I've never been in an IT environment of any kind where suits were common place. People only wear suits around my area when trying to impress a big wig (I work for a very large financial institution with lots of old school management behaviors at the executive levels). It really just depends on the role / environment. Not any one of us can give the perfect answer but your employer should be able to tell you exactly what you need to know.

I actually still dress a bit nicer than most in my current role. Jeans / collared shirt (Polo) are completely fine for my company's dress code however I usually just dress business casual Mon-Thrusday (Button up shirt and slacks/pants,dress shoes). Fridays I usually dress casually nice (Jeans and collard shirt or button down plaid shirt, etc).

Blackout

First role was as a defense contractor, I wore Dress shirt, Slacks, and Dress Shoes. Second role was with Cisco, I have been wearing shorts and flip flops ever since.

Segovia

Yeah, government work tends to be a bit more stern and I would imagine you are subjected to some standards.. Unless you are in the middle-east.. Screw dressing up in the desert!!

Your job at Cisco sounds awesome, I'm totally not jealous. :P

Slowhand

If they don't let you wear your Utilikilt, take a pass.

In all seriousness, though, I agree with the others here and put in another vote for asking the boss/interviewer. In some cases, it earns you some brownie-points to be inquisitive and appear as if though you want to be prepared. That, and it's the safest way to avoid making a big scene on your first day.