Business Casual Interview

I have an interview coming for a Jr sys admin position. The guy said in his email that it is a business casual interview. Should I still wear a suit? Just shirt and tie?

Find more posts tagged with

SAVE $250 on Your Boot Camp — Use Code "EXAM26"

Exclusively for TechExams members for Infosec Boot Camps starting before April 30, 2026

View Boot Camps

Comments

Ukimokia

Just a button up shirt should suffice. A suite would be over doing it.

You could probably even go in slacks and a polo.

networker050184

If they specifically said to dress business casual then I'd go with slacks, a button up and some clean shoes. A nice wool coat since it's cold would be a nice touch.

BGraves

I think either are acceptable as long as you are dressed sharp and neat/clean. Personally, I always go for the suit regardless of their expectation. I want their first impression of me to be impeccable. That being said, it sounds like you could go either and be just fine.

mrhaun03

Thanks everyone...appreciate the quick responses

bobloblaw

Tuxedo t-shirt. Understated, but classy.

MrAgent

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTED REPLY FROM PREVIOUS POST

Because I want to look formal, but I am also here to party.

Danielm7

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTED REPLY FROM PREVIOUS POST

In that case I'd also suggest a mullet, that way you have all angles covered.

QHalo

And a beer belt like uncle Eddie from Vegas Vacation. Now you're solid.

I'd toss on a sport coat as suggested. It really sets you apart from a typical business casual interviewee.

Claymoore

BGraves wrote: »

I want their first impression of me to be impeccable.

That impression should include the demonstration that you can follow directions. They said business casual, so dress business casual. I'd go with a button-up shirt over a polo.

You could go the full Cousin Eddie with a pullover and dickie showing through, but we know that Eddie is holding out for a management position - not a junior admin position.

jibbajabba

Look up the website / linkedin and see if you can spot pictures from inside the company .. maybe even youtube and see if they made some promo videos .. which may also show how they look / dress.

ratbuddy

Claymoore wrote: »

I'd go with a button-up shirt over a polo.

Heh, with both collars popped?

mrhaun03

Tuxedo tshirt sounds like my best option.

lsud00d

A tie with 3/4 sleeves is still business casual, plus you look sharp. Also, tie clip tie clip tie clip!

Claymoore

ratbuddy wrote: »

Heh, with both collars popped?

I see what you did there. If you're going to pop the collar, make sure the polo is a pastel color and pair it with a sportcoat with the sleeves pushed up rather than a button up shirt.

networker050184

Wait, are we talking about how to dress to NOT get the job?!

the_Grinch

Ah Talladega Nights so classic! You could get away with slacks and a polo. Personally, from experience, if they say business casual come in business casual. I had an interview once where they say come in whatever you want and I didn't see that. I came in my suit and the guy that picked me up had a stained Yoda tshirt.

Ukimokia

Don't forget there is such thing as overdressing. If they tell you business casual and you come in a tuxedo or a 3 peace suit. It could actually hurt you.

QHalo

The Funny - this thread delivers

ScrawnyRonnie

I'm a fan of the tuxedo t shirt as well. You could also go with a short sleeve polo and a tie

bull313

I'd either go with khakis and a polo shirt or a button down shirt. No tie required for business casual.

Good luck on the interview!

mrhaun03

Thanks everybody...for the laughs and the advice. I'll probably go with slacks and a button down.

QHalo

Good call, and good luck.

blargoe

I would go with the "high end" of what could be considered business casual - you want as sharp as possible within the confines of business casual in other words. Button down shirt at a minimum and a pair of nice slacks.

MrAgent

I actually had an interview with Amazon last year, and they stated in the email that it was casual, and whatever I was comfortable with, but that they didn't want to see me in a suit/tie. I ended up going with everything minus the tie

petedude

This seems to be an increasing trend, at least from what I can see in the Southwest.

The old advice of "always wear a suit" just doesn't seem to cut it any more. From what I can tell, more places are becoming "allergic" to suit-wearers. From what I've seen, some folks get downright nervous and edgy if they interview someone in a suit and tie. The best relevant philosophy I've heard recently (which has actually been around to some extent for years) is "dress a step up from the everyday dress at the company". Since most outfits are "business casual" now, from what I can see that philosophy translates to "wear a nice shirt and tie" for your interview.