Interview Attire

There has been much debate on what to wear to an interview. Here is a short, but informational article I have come across.

How to Dress For Your Interview - And Get a Job - (For Men Version) - InsideTech.com

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jamesleecoleman

Good looking out.

erpadmin

I never saw anything wrong with a dark colored, single breasted suit with an "appropriate" tie (none of those goofy ties). I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to interviews, even if it's at a company that's known to be "casual."

If I were interviewing and someone came in with something less than a suit and tie, I would most likely pass.

earweed

That's a lot of rules they have. I wear a suit to every interview yet I've probably broken a lot of their rules..Knot size, mixing black and blue, unbutton jacket when sitting down, bottom button not undone.
I hope that just wearing a traditional suit that isn't wrinkled (and if taking off jacket shirt is ironed, too) with an appropriate tie and black leather shoes is enough.

QHalo

When it comes to jacket buttons the rule I was always told was starting from the top of the three: sometimes, always, never

Devilsbane

QHalo wrote: »

When it comes to jacket buttons the rule I was always told was starting from the top of the three: sometimes, always, never

The thing it doesn't point out about the buttons is sitting down without buttoning them can damage them. They stuck with the look side of it, but personally I'mn quite concerned with breaking one off and having to find someone who can get it back on there for me.

erpadmin

earweed wrote: »

That's a lot of rules they have. I wear a suit to every interview yet I've probably broken a lot of their rules..Knot size, mixing black and blue, unbutton jacket when sitting down, bottom button not undone.
I hope that just wearing a traditional suit that isn't wrinkled (and if taking off jacket shirt is ironed, too) with an appropriate tie and black leather shoes is enough.

I can only tie a half-windsor. It's the easiest, and it looks very nice. I just make sure it's not HUGE.

As for wrinkling, I usually have it dry-cleaned/pressed about a few days before an event. Including the shirt I wear and when needed, the tie.

The shoes, I can go one of two ways.....give it a nice spit-shine, or buy a brand new pair and wear it begining the day of interview.

loxleynew

I used to only wear slacks with button down shirt and a tie and nice shoes. One day I didn't have time to change for an interview a few weeks ago and had to wear jeans and a collar t-shirt and nice shoes. I got offered the job whereas before I never got offered a job. From now on unless it's for some VP position or high end position like google or whatever I will only wear nice jeans and a collar t-shirt and nice shoes.

Unless of course the job requires a business dress code but then I will never be applying to those jobs anyways as I hate ties. Moral of the story is look nice and well groomed and dress how they dress unless for an executive or senior position.

Devilsbane

erpadmin wrote: »

As for wrinkling, I usually have it dry-cleaned/pressed about a few days before an event. Including the shirt I wear and when needed, the tie.

I try to keep mine in pretty good shape. So prior to an interview binge I had it done, but it is much too expensive to do it before every single one. (Not to mention the places around me take like 3 days)

erpadmin

Devilsbane wrote: »

I try to keep mine in pretty good shape. So prior to an interview binge I had it done, but it is much too expensive to do it before every single one. (Not to mention the places around me take like 3 days)

Oooooh, let's not think I'm interviewing with one suit!! LOL. People should always have more than one suit to interview with, especially if they're going to be interviewing more than once in the same week.

If I had multiple interviews, I try to have a minimum of 2 (ideally 3) suits, with both of them with the same pressed/dry cleaned treatment. If I had two or more interviews that same week, I try to get out of my suit as soon as possible. What I do is go to a fast food joint 20-30 minutes away from interview, go to its restroom, do the Clark Kent/Superman thing (change into your normal clothes, in case you never followed comics...lol), place suit as neat as possible in suit bag, and then put my suit hung up in the car. Then I take worn suit and spray it with whatever wrinkle-free sprays you get in your laundry aisle at a supermarket plus some Febreze . Then repeat with the other suit and then alternate as necessary. After about 3-6 uses with each suit, it will be time to repeat the dry clean....but you will save on costs if you invest in more than one suit, which is always a good idea anyway. Sometimes, I want a grey one, sometimes I'm feeling navy blue.

And for those who think they have to buy Armani, and that's why they don't think a suit is important, there are VARIOUS places where you can get a nice-not cheap looking-suit for $100-$150 a pop. That's for a the typical jacket, and suit pants. (I would never suggest wearing a vest to an interview...jacket, tie and suit pants are enough, with appropriate colored shirt, of course...but the suit definitely a dark color, navy blue or grey).

ssampier

Thanks for the article. I have found with fashion and dress there are almost as many opinions as people; nearly as bad as resume advice.

For years I only owned a black suit. I'd rarely wear it, only to funerals, weddings, etc.

More recently I picked up a charcoal grey suit and olive suit. My salesperson suggested that I wear the charcoal one for first interviews and the olive for follow-up.

I have mixed and matched, often wearing a striped dress shirt, tie, and the slacks from the olive suit for casual interviews. I always match my belt color to my shoes and socks to my pant legs.

It's difficult to wear a full suit when your interviewer, usually your future boss, is wearing jeans and a polo shirt. To avoid that I usually ask HR that contacted me what the dress code is like.

I haven't received a job offer yet, but I doubt it because of my dress.

garv221

Suit no tie works every time.

erpadmin

ssampier wrote: »

I haven't received a job offer yet, but I doubt it because of my dress.

Humor me and start wearing a suit.

You have no idea how many times I've worn a suit but my interviewers would be in casual dress, jeans, looking like they're just chillin' (and they were....).

The suit puts your best foot forward. Of course, when you get the job, you get to dress like everyone else, but I have never not worn a suit to an interview....and I've gotten offers.

I would definitely stay away from olive green though, and stick with your charcoal grey. If you can get a navy blue suit also, so much the better.

Devilsbane

ssampier wrote: »

It's difficult to wear a full suit when your interviewer, usually your future boss, is wearing jeans and a polo shirt. To avoid that I usually ask HR that contacted me what the dress code is like.

I doesn't matter what your interviewer wears. He doesn't have to impress you. (Ideally he would, but in most cases it doesn't matter).

Even if you feel over dressed, go with it. Unless you were specifically told to wear something else.

As for what I wear, I have a black pinstriped suit, but I think a gray one would be cool. I think I'm still too young to pull one off though.

loxleynew

erpadmin wrote: »

Humor me and start wearing a suit.

You have no idea how many times I've worn a suit but my interviewers would be in casual dress, jeans, looking like they're just chillin' (and they were....).

The suit puts your best foot forward. Of course, when you get the job, you get to dress like everyone else, but I have never not worn a suit to an interview....and I've gotten offers.

I would definitely stay away from olive green though, and stick with your charcoal grey. If you can get a navy blue suit also, so much the better.

Ive worn suits minus the blazer and never got an offer. Ive worn nice jeans and a polo and gotten offers. I used to believe it was 50/50 dress/confidence and knowledge but now I realize it's more about 20/80 where dress is by itself then confidence/knowledge are together. It all depends where you apply. Some places generally might look down on you for wearing a suit whereas others will support it.

BradleyHU

loxleynew wrote: »

Ive worn suits minus the blazer and never got an offer. Ive worn nice jeans and a polo and gotten offers. I used to believe it was 50/50 dress/confidence and knowledge but now I realize it's more about 20/80 where dress is by itself then confidence/knowledge are together. It all depends where you apply. Some places generally might look down on you for wearing a suit whereas others will support it.

now, while I dont wear a suit to my interviews, i do wear slacks, dress shirt, tie, sweater and/or blazer. I would NEVER go in jeans or a polo...thats just crazy.

earweed

I have a charcoal grey, Dark Brown, and Navy Blue suits. I've worn the Blue one to most of my interviews so far. I'd never consider not wearing a suit. I eveb wore one to go meet a recruiter. At least I'm dressing the part and hopefully the interview will impress but I don't want to blow it when I walk in the door.
Another thing I was told about from a headhunter right after I got out of the navy that wasn't on that list...Wear socks that go high enough up your calfs that your leg doesn't show when you sit down. They don't have to be knee highs but should go high enough above your ankle that it covers you when you sit down. The socks should also be snug fitting, not baggy/saggy.

Zartanasaurus

I always wear a suit and tie to interviews with corporations. I like how I look in a suit to begin with and like projecting professionalism.

erpadmin

loxleynew wrote: »

Ive worn suits minus the blazer and never got an offer. Ive worn nice jeans and a polo and gotten offers. I used to believe it was 50/50 dress/confidence and knowledge but now I realize it's more about 20/80 where dress is by itself then confidence/knowledge are together. It all depends where you apply. Some places generally might look down on you for wearing a suit whereas others will support it.

As Zartan said in this thread, it's all about how you present yourself. You want to be remembered, and if you look good in a suit, 9 times out of 10 you're going to remembered. You have to think about it from the hiring manager's perspective; it's all about presentation. Then of course your communication skills and of course confidence. But I would never tell someone to wear jeans and a polo to an interview, unless they were applying at MckieDees...and I'm not talking about their corporate headquarters neither to do some fancy/shmancy sys admin/Cisco work. I'm talking about flipping burgers and asking me if I want some fries with that....lmao.

ssampier

Devilsbane wrote: »

I doesn't matter what your interviewer wears. He doesn't have to impress you. (Ideally he would, but in most cases it doesn't matter).

Even if you feel over dressed, go with it. Unless you were specifically told to wear something else.

As for what I wear, I have a black pinstriped suit, but I think a gray one would be cool. I think I'm still too young to pull one off though.

I have been told black is too formal for interviews, hence the purchase of charcoal and olive. But as I said, some won't mind the black and some will; you just never know.

There's actually only two times I didn't go full suit; one with a company that explicitly told me not to and one with a 5 pm interview with a one-man IT shop.

In both cases I was wearing a long-sleeved dress shirt, tie, slacks, polished shoes, and long socks.

The first of the two was a long interview, including lunch. They were really casual and said as much; they even asked if I could come to work without a tie.

Alas, I lost out to the person with more experience. Nuts, I hate when that happens. They seemed to be impressed with my "professionalism" though.

QHalo

Suit is a sign of respect. I always wear one no matter what anyone says. Besides, my mom would slap me if she knew I didn't go with one on. That's like eating with your elbows on the table or something

loxleynew

erpadmin wrote: »

As Zartan said in this thread, it's all about how you present yourself. You want to be remembered, and if you look good in a suit, 9 times out of 10 you're going to remembered. You have to think about it from the hiring manager's perspective; it's all about presentation. Then of course your communication skills and of course confidence. But I would never tell someone to wear jeans and a polo to an interview, unless they were applying at MckieDees...and I'm not talking about their corporate headquarters neither to do some fancy/shmancy sys admin/Cisco work. I'm talking about flipping burgers and asking me if I want some fries with that....lmao.

Lol. No i'm not supporting only wearing jeans and a polo to all interviews. I'm just saying the opposite can be true too and you don't have to wear a suit to all interviews either. Heck even a tie most places you don't need to. Sure if you have a nice pair of slacks and button down and dress shoes that always goes over well but it depends where you live. I live in boulder, co and most places minus banks that if you go to an interview dressed in a suit they would scoot you out the door before the interview finished.

Now obviously if you are applying for management or high level work I would say always wear slacks and a button down at the least but it really does depend on the location/job. Just saying you cannot generalize "Wear a suit and tie always".

Devilsbane

QHalo wrote: »

Suit is a sign of respect. I always wear one no matter what anyone says. Besides, my mom would slap me if she knew I didn't go with one on. That's like eating with your elbows on the table or something

How else do you eat a burger without your elbows on the table?

Zartanasaurus

Devilsbane wrote: »

How else do you eat a burger without your elbows on the table?

I eat all my food like Ralphie's little brother in A Christmas Story.

networker050184

loxleynew wrote: »

Just saying you cannot generalize "Wear a suit and tie always".

Actually, I would say that is a very good generalization. Why would you risk taking the chance when you could just wear a suit? I HIGHLY doubt there is any place of employment that would look down on you for wearing a suit to an interview. It may not always be required, but better safe than sorry is the way I see it.

Devilsbane

networker050184 wrote: »

I HIGHLY doubt there is any place of employment that would look down on you for wearing a suit to an interview. It may not always be required, but better safe than sorry is the way I see it.

Maybe if you are applying to work as a cashier or something, but pretty much any corporate setting then I completely agree.

earweed

This argument has gone on in several threads before. There may be IT jobs that you show up to in a suit and don't stand out just for that reason- because everyone wore a suit. It's kind of a pointless argument. There are so many variables involved that it's impossible to say what is the right thing to do ALL the time.
My personal preference- I wear a suit to all interviews and try to look sharp. I also try to know something about the company to impress the interviewer but I imagine EVERYONE getting interviewed has done that.

dynamik

networker050184 wrote: »

Actually, I would say that is a very good generalization. Why would you risk taking the chance when you could just wear a suit? I HIGHLY doubt there is any place of employment that would look down on you for wearing a suit to an interview. It may not always be required, but better safe than sorry is the way I see it.

Right. I really don't see why there is any reason for debate or so many differing opinions. Putting that kind of effort forward makes an excellent first impression.

No one is saying it's impossible to get a job without a suit. Has anyone wore a suit and felt like it hurt them? If so, was it really a place you wanted to work?

erpadmin

dynamik wrote: »

No one is saying it's impossible to get a job without a suit. Has anyone wore a suit and felt like it hurt them? If so, was it really a place you wanted to work?

If someone did feel that the suit hurt them, I will bet any amount of money that it was because they were uncomfortable in their suit and the interviewer took notice.

If you're not comfortable, it will transfer to the more important parts of your interviews. That much I know.

QHalo

Devilsbane wrote: »

How else do you eat a burger without your elbows on the table?

A 5 Napkin burger in NYC, it will run down your arms so yeah I can see how this would apply

Zartanasaurus

Devilsbane wrote: »

Maybe if you are applying to work as a cashier or something, but pretty much any corporate setting then I completely agree.

Back when I was 18 or 19, I had an interview for a position unloading delivery trucks. Even then I showed up in a shirt and tie.