Do you always need to wear a suit for a job interview?

MetalMat

Diamond Member
Jun 14, 2004
9,692
36
91
Just wondering out of curiosty. Sometimes I feel I am a little too over dressed in some situations at interviews I have given.

Edit:

Well, the main reason I am asking is because I just had someone call late today and asked if I could come in for an interview tommorow morning. I said sure, but just remembered that my suit is out getting tailored But it is true that at a couple interviews I did feel quite a bit overdressed, especially one where I went in on a friday.
 

neutralizer

Lifer
Oct 4, 2001
11,552
1
0
I've gone to some with just a dress shirt. Somehow, it felt more comfortable when the interviewer wasn't dressed in anything fancy.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
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You cant be overdressed fora job interview in a suit unless you're trying to get minimum wage jobs.
 

dcdude

Senior member
May 8, 2005
401
0
0
you can never be overdressed

it would be much more awkward if you walked in with regular pants and a golf polo while eveyrone else has full suits on
 

chiwawa626

Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
12,013
0
0
I would say its possible to be overdressed. If I were a recruiter, I might pick the guy who came in a dressshirt and slacks over the guy whos in a full black suit on a hot day - sure you want to be presentable, but you do have to draw the line somewhere.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,414
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Originally posted by: chiwawa626
I would say its possible to be overdressed. If I were a recruiter, I might pick the guy who came in a dressshirt and slacks over the guy whos in a full black suit on a hot day - sure you want to be presentable, but you do have to draw the line somewhere.

a guy wearing a black suit to a job interview is likely to pull out a shotgun and kill some coworkers one day.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,215
11
81
You should ALWAYS wear a suit. Its FAR better to be overdressed than underdressed. Its ok to be dressed nicer than your interviewer...it is NOT ok to be dressed less.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
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Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
I would say its possible to be overdressed. If I were a recruiter, I might pick the guy who came in a dressshirt and slacks over the guy whos in a full black suit on a hot day - sure you want to be presentable, but you do have to draw the line somewhere.

a guy wearing a black suit to a job interview is likely to pull out a shotgun and kill some coworkers one day.

:confused: I wore a black suit to three first and second round interviews this last February and got 2 job offers. :(
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,414
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Originally posted by: Orsorum
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
I would say its possible to be overdressed. If I were a recruiter, I might pick the guy who came in a dressshirt and slacks over the guy whos in a full black suit on a hot day - sure you want to be presentable, but you do have to draw the line somewhere.

a guy wearing a black suit to a job interview is likely to pull out a shotgun and kill some coworkers one day.

:confused: I wore a black suit to three first and second round interviews this last February and got 2 job offers. :(

is it really black, or is it dark gray? the only things you should wear a black suit to are a wedding and a funeral.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,215
11
81
Black suits are fine. Personally my suit is dark blue, but there is nothing wrong with a black suit.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Orsorum
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
I would say its possible to be overdressed. If I were a recruiter, I might pick the guy who came in a dressshirt and slacks over the guy whos in a full black suit on a hot day - sure you want to be presentable, but you do have to draw the line somewhere.

a guy wearing a black suit to a job interview is likely to pull out a shotgun and kill some coworkers one day.

:confused: I wore a black suit to three first and second round interviews this last February and got 2 job offers. :(

is it really black, or is it dark gray? the only things you should wear a black suit to are a wedding and a funeral.

Black Italian wool. After I get my first few paychecks this summer I'm going to pony up some dough for another suit, probably charcoal grey.
 

RaynorWolfcastle

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2001
8,968
16
81
I had an interview for an internship with a tech company. I showed up wearing a suit, my interviewer was wearing jeans and a t-shirt... I felt a wee bit overdressed.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
I had an interview for an internship with a tech company. I showed up wearing a suit, my interviewer was wearing jeans and a t-shirt... I felt a wee bit overdressed.

Did you get the job?
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
I had an interview for an internship with a tech company. I showed up wearing a suit, my interviewer was wearing jeans and a t-shirt... I felt a wee bit overdressed.

You dress like that after you get the job.
 

RaynorWolfcastle

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2001
8,968
16
81
Originally posted by: Orsorum
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
I had an interview for an internship with a tech company. I showed up wearing a suit, my interviewer was wearing jeans and a t-shirt... I felt a wee bit overdressed.
Did you get the job?
Survey says: No callback :thumbsdown:

I don't think it had anything to do with the suit though. As the interview wore on, I think we both realized that I wasn't a good fit for this particular job.
 

Blazin Trav

Banned
Dec 14, 2004
2,571
0
0
Originally posted by: MetalMat
Just wondering out of curiosty. Sometimes I feel I am a little too over dressed in some situations at interviews I have given.

Wear the suit. Presentation says things about who you are.
 

Skyclad1uhm1

Lifer
Aug 10, 2001
11,383
87
91
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: Orsorum
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Originally posted by: chiwawa626
I would say its possible to be overdressed. If I were a recruiter, I might pick the guy who came in a dressshirt and slacks over the guy whos in a full black suit on a hot day - sure you want to be presentable, but you do have to draw the line somewhere.

a guy wearing a black suit to a job interview is likely to pull out a shotgun and kill some coworkers one day.

:confused: I wore a black suit to three first and second round interviews this last February and got 2 job offers. :(

is it really black, or is it dark gray? the only things you should wear a black suit to are a wedding and a funeral.

If you have style and class you can wear black suits anytime and anywhere. So maybe 1 or two Americans can.
 

AUMM

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2001
3,029
0
0
I've been interviewing lately for engineering jobs, i just wear dress pants and a nice button down shirt, no tie or anything... no problems so far, got a couple offers...

I would say it might have helped me get a job, makes me seem less desperate if i'm dressed more casually
 

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,792
114
106
I work at a t-shirt and shorts tech company, and I admit I snicker a bit when I interview someone in a suit, but I certainly don't hold it against them. I always mention that (obviously) we're a casual environment. Come to think of it, I wore a suit when I interviewed for this job as well.
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
18,241
4,755
136
I would never wear a suit. But that's because the jobs I would apply for aren't really into suits (probably going to work in a lab of some sort), and most companies doesn't use that in Denmark. (Except for lawfirms and economical business)
 

WdnUlik2no

Member
May 5, 2005
169
0
0
Originally posted by: MetalMat
Just wondering out of curiosty. Sometimes I feel I am a little too over dressed in some situations at interviews I have given.

Edit:

Well, the main reason I am asking is because I just had someone call late today and asked if I could come in for an interview tommorow morning. I said sure, but just remembered that my suit is out getting tailored But it is true that at a couple interviews I did feel quite a bit overdressed, especially one where I went in on a friday.

I always dress up. Its better to be overdressed than underdressed IMO. Most companies are business casual so you probally could get away with that, but to be "safe" i would say wear a suit everytime, unless you are getting a job at McDonalds or something :p
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
52,855
5,726
126
dude always wear a suit. i wore a suit to my job interview, and the guys interviewing me were wearing suits too.

then i actually get the job, and we can wear t-shirts and jeans to work every day if we want, even shorts in the summer. and the company i work for is in my signature.