Question about dressing for an interview...

[purbeast0]

I first want to say that I'm all for always wearing a suit and tie to an interview regardless of what type of job you are interviewing for. It's better to be over dressed than under dressed for sure, and nothing is really more professional than wearing a suit.

HOWEVER ... this is a situation I have never been in before so I'm curious to hear what other ATOT professionals think.

I'm interviewing with a company for a software engineering position that is paying for me to take the train a couple ours to/from them up in NYC. The interview itself also lasts 5 hours. I'll be on a train about 2 hours each way.

Here is the direct quote from the email they sent out in regards to what to wear to the interview...

"Our workplace is casual, and we encourage you to wear what would make you feel comfortable. T-shirt and jeans are totally fine with us."

So my question to the professionals of ATOT (but not the ones who would wear jeans and a t-shirt to an interview regardless of what the company says, the ones who would normally always wear suits) - what would you do in this situation?

I am kind of torn on this but am leaning towards just wearing a suit. I can always just take the jacket off for the train rides and it'll be fine. However I also don't want to feel completely out of place during the interview if I'm way over dressed lol. But, regardless, I don't think anyone would have a problem with someone wearing a suit to an interview.

 

[GobBluth]

Wear the suit. If they ask, say a suit makes you comfortable If that message came from anyone other than the hiring manager, I wouldn't listen to that directive. At bare minimum wear a shirt and tie. You said it, you just don't interview in jeans and a tee shirt, you obviously aren't interviewing for Circle K night shift here.

As for being over dressed, I wouldn't sweat it. Once you get there and you check in, look around, if the entire place is full of jeans and tee shirts, maybe ditch the jacket and roll up your shirt sleeves. I've interviewed a lot of people and it sticks out to me every single time. Your interview is not their "workplace". Once they hire you, fall in line with the company dress code. For now, you're displaying yourself the best you can.

 

[zinfamous]

Overdressing is bad in my field (research, sciency stuff...nerds). that's a recipe for showing you lack experience, but it doesn't kill anything. It does tell people that you are weird though, and might have a giant rod in your ass compared to other people in the lab.

As for software development, well, in SV professional business attire: comfortable jeans, sneakers, nice shirt. Obviously I've never interviewed for something like this, but I think the outfit is different if you are seeking financing (talking to bankers and money people), or interviewing for a development position with other engineers.

Based on that description, I would go with slacks or nice khakis, a nice polo/button-up/designer shirt with fancy vest or something like that. No tie. Whatever you do, don't wear a tie and FFS, leave the top two buttons un-buttoned.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Tough question.

I think there is 4 levels:

1. Suit + Tie (Normally what I wear for any interview to give the best impression)
2. Dress Pants + Dress Shirt (business casual)
3. Jeans + Dress Shirt (or polo I guess)
4. Shorts + T-Shirt.

Personally I would either go with #1 or #3. Depends on how you feel - have you talked to them on the phone? That can give you a good idea of their personality.

 

[vi edit]

Well you can take them at their word and then do a psuedo-compromise. Go with very nice jeans, dress shoes, button up shirt and then a sport coat. Then you can either keep the coat on or drop it if it's too much.

 

[snoopy7548]

Wear some cargo shorts with a white collar shirt and nice tie, but have a suit jacket strung up over your shoulder. Shows you can follow directions and be yourself but you're also prepared for anything.

EDIT: Damn, vi beat me at the jacket idea.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well you can take them at their word and then do a psuedo-compromise. Go with very nice jeans, dress shoes, button up shirt and then a sport coat. Then you can either keep the coat on or drop it if it's too much.

I agree with this. You have the jacket so you look professional but you can remove it to be more casual/comfortable.

By the way, I hope you aren't doing that 4 hour commute every day if you get hired. There is no way I'd do that.

 

[MrSquished]

NO suit dude. You can always wear chinos, shoes and a button down if jeans are too casual for you

 

[Ns1]

If it's software development id probably tone down to biz casual based on that email. I have certainly heard of a certain subset of developers who hate people in suits.

 

[Thebobo]

I have no idea what's in these days but one of these three should do.

 

[purbeast0]

Well I've worked for 3 companies in my software development career. One let me wear shorts and t shirts, one let me wear jeans and t-shirt, and one was slacks and button down shirt. For all 3 of them I still wore a suit to the interview.

I may just shoot another email to ask them about it though because going to an interview not wearing a suit and tie just seems odd to me. But like, if doing that is actually looked down upon here, since they say they encourage dressing comfortable for interviews, then maybe this will be the first time doing so.

I'm thinking possibly slacks and button down shirt (business casual) if I don't wear a suit. Definitely not a chance I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt though. I don't even own a sports jacket separate than my suit jackets, and I don't really have any "nice" jeans. My jeans aren't beat up by any means, they just aren't ones I would call nice or dressier.

 

[purbeast0]

By the way, I hope you aren't doing that 4 hour commute every day if you get hired. There is no way I'd do that.

There is no way I would do that either.

 

[crashtech]

I second the idea of say for instance black denim and a button-up shirt with dress shoes. Go for slightly overdressed by their standard, but not glaringly so.

 

[shortylickens]

I've had advice from dozens of sources regarding interviews. While their invidual tips vary a great deal they all say the same thing with regards to clothing: Wear what you're told to wear.

Having said that, I've been following the professional advice for years and still havent been hired.
So maybe you should just do what you wanna do and ignore the professionals.

 

[nakedfrog]

How about a nice sundress?

 

[Kaido]

Question about dressing for an interview...

Ranch.

 

[Ajay]

Well you can take them at their word and then do a psuedo-compromise. Go with very nice jeans, dress shoes, button up shirt and then a sport coat. Then you can either keep the coat on or drop it if it's too much.

I think I’d go with this look, though maybe with a mock neck knit and loafers. Dress up a bit but look cool and casual at the same time.

 

[pete6032]

Well you can take them at their word and then do a psuedo-compromise. Go with very nice jeans, dress shoes, button up shirt and then a sport coat. Then you can either keep the coat on or drop it if it's too much.

This is what I was going to say. Jeans + oxford shoes + button up shirt + tie + blazer.

And yes, you can pull of jeans + tie. That is in fashion.

 

[SearchMaster]

I'd probably go with business casual because I don't have any really nice suits, but if you're comfortable in a suit then it's the best option.

I've interviewed candidates who were fresh out of college for software development and many of them were very obviously uncomfortable in a suit - to the point that I think it hindered their interview. When you are talking to them and they are fiddling with their collars, it's not a good look.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Business casual

 

[vi edit]

Well I've worked for 3 companies in my software development career. One let me wear shorts and t shirts, one let me wear jeans and t-shirt, and one was slacks and button down shirt. For all 3 of them I still wore a suit to the interview.

I may just shoot another email to ask them about it though because going to an interview not wearing a suit and tie just seems odd to me. But like, if doing that is actually looked down upon here, since they say they encourage dressing comfortable for interviews, then maybe this will be the first time doing so.

I'm thinking possibly slacks and button down shirt (business casual) if I don't wear a suit. Definitely not a chance I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt though. I don't even own a sports jacket separate than my suit jackets, and I don't really have any "nice" jeans. My jeans aren't beat up by any means, they just aren't ones I would call nice or dressier.

Express clearance rack usually has a couple decent sport coats available for $50-$75. They pair well with jeans.

 

[purbeast0]

Express clearance rack usually has a couple decent sport coats available for $50-$75. They pair well with jeans.

The problem is I have a weird fit because my chest and shoulders are for XXL people but my waste is for medium.

In other words, I need to get all my stuff tailored and I don't have time for that really at this point.

I was thinking though, I could potentially just wear my suit without a tie, and take the jacket off when I'm in the actual interview and sitting down. I may roll with that but still not sure.

 

[vi edit]

Understand the frustration of fitted stuff. I have wide shoulders and long arms. But a very narrow torso. I have to buy large for the top and sleeves but it's like a balloon half way down. Express does athletic and slim fits that reduce that quite a bit.

 

[Printer Bandit]

A suit is not comfortable, so don't wear one.

Khakis and a dress shirt.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I work in Silicon Valley at a very casual tech company -

DO NOT WEAR A SUIT - DO NOT WEAR A TIE

Standard silicon valley software engineering interview apparel is jeans and an untucked plaid shirt. If you want to dress nice then wear designer jeans, a pressed tucked in dress shirt and polished dress shoes with a matching belt.

You are being judged on your intelligence and also your cultural fit.