What are your thoughts on interview attire?

[NuggetStory]

I have had a read similar posts to this so many time. The general consensus for this question is always the same: never go for something black, never dress over the top.
If you want dark then go charcoal, but even that is pushing it.

 

[bigrash]

I freaking love office dog!

I am now about to lose two hours of my life to memebase. Thanks jackass

lol

 

[Atomic Playboy]

As long as you show a little nipple, you'll be fine.

 

[torpid]

I work in jeans and a t shirt. I interviewed in a suit and would do the same again.

 

[dr150]

if you're going to interview, go for broke and dress to impress! :thumbsup:

 

[purbeast0]

unless otherwise told, wear a friggin suit and tie. it is better to be over dressed than under dressed, and first impressions are everything. anyone who says otherwise simply doesn't know wtf they are talking about.

and i'm talking about a career type job, not a sales person at best buy.

and what i mean by 'unless otherwise told' is that my friend who has a job at blizzard was specifically told to NOT wear a suit to the interview, prior to the interview. he ended up wearing a dress shirt, pants, and a blazer, and when he got there the first thing they told him to do was take off the blazer.

 

[ViviTheMage]

ask them, if they say suits are ok, you are always better to overdress than under dress.

 

[Muse]

I've wasted a lot of money on interview attire, and time procuring it. One of the most successful programmers I know (and he has hopped jobs) said he doesn't own a tie. His hair is unconventional (an understatement).

 

[alkemyst]

3 piece suit? As in with vests? That sounds so old-world and stuffy. I've never seen anyone wear a 3-piece, nevermind interviews.

As for any white collar jobs, I've always went with nothing less than a tie, jacket, and slacks.

I guess if you're in IT or new-culture work like Google, just biz casual may work. But I wouldn't risk it unless it's explicitly stated.

Dress like this and you're all set for 99% of white collar jobs:

I never understood so many 'how do i dress for interview' threads here. Just do above.

QFT...if you are opening the door for vests, may as well consider cumberbunds and Lilac suits.

Showing up for most positions say south of $50k without a suit / sport coat you are probably fine. North of that you are going to want a real suit. You are going to want real suit shoes, not some skeetchers or rockports you got at target for $30.

 

[Dumac]

I went to all my interviews in business casual attire.

(Software Engineer, so those companies are all "hip" and such)

 

[Meractik]

I've wasted a lot of money on interview attire, and time procuring it. One of the most successful programmers I know (and he has hopped jobs) said he doesn't own a tie. His hair is unconventional (an understatement).

This is something I want to avoid, I simply want to get one multi-use suit and utilize it for the process and make sure that I keep it in a garmet bag and dry clean only.

I am getting the feeling that If i go with charcoal gray or navy blue that it would be a suitable use to change the undershirt and tie to mix it up.. I just need to schedule some time at macy's and other stores mentioned to get something sized/tailored..

I figure I can utilize ross or kohl's to furnish some ties/undershirts for a reasonably good price.

 

[Meractik]

Being that my career choices involve IT work where most people do not dress up but eventually I would like to move into management I am thinking that simply going to interview with nice shoes/slacks/shirt/tie could be enough... and I could have a blazer but ask prior to the interview whether it would be suitable to wear...

 

[Schfifty Five]

I never understood why you wouldn't want to wear a nice suit/dressed up.

Even if you their culture/position you are applying for will end up being a jeans/t-shirt job, what harm can putting up with a few hours being in a suit do?

Just suck it up and wear a suit (properly fitted, with appropriate tie and dress shoes) for a few hours. It can't hurt you and can only help.

 

[BoomerD]

Go to the interview buck nekkid. If you're a MAN, your stance of dominance will be enough to get you the job.

 

[Meractik]

I never understood why you wouldn't want to wear a nice suit/dressed up.

Even if you their culture/position you are applying for will end up being a jeans/t-shirt job, what harm can putting up with a few hours being in a suit do?

Just suck it up and wear a suit (properly fitted, with appropriate tie and dress shoes) for a few hours. It can't hurt you and can only help.

There is a little part of me that I guess when I see people in a suit I instantly think "this person must be lacking some of the skills/requirements of the job" because they feel they need to "dress to the nines" in order to impress someone to get the job...

In my mind, either you are capable of the job or you're not, and if you're not you should not of applied for it - the same goes for stupid follow-up questions where someone calls you to screen applicants prior to scheduling interviews.. and they ask you about all the required aspects of the job such as education/certifications yet its clearly defined on your resume you meet these requirements... why do they bother to call you and confirm when its clearly written on the resume?

 

[Ns1]

In my mind, either you are capable of the job or you're not, and if you're not you should not of applied for it - the same goes for stupid follow-up questions where someone calls you to screen applicants prior to scheduling interviews.. and they ask you about all the required aspects of the job such as education/certifications yet its clearly defined on your resume you meet these requirements... why do they bother to call you and confirm when its clearly written on the resume?

so what happens if you're not the only one qualified for the job and the next guy comes in dressing like a boss and acting like a boss?

you obviously did not care as much as the next guy.

 

[Meractik]

so what happens if you're not the only one qualified for the job and the next guy comes in dressing like a boss and acting like a boss?

you obviously did not care as much as the next guy.

I feel as though it should be the best candidate for the position not necessarily the best dressed.

If two ideal candidates present themselves and one is dressed better then the other that SHOULD NOT become the determining factor, unless the job explicitly requires someone to routinely dress up such as a public marketing position etc... because only then does it actually matter (Even that I don't care for, I think marketing is all deceptive scheme's).

In the types of positions I would be presenting myself for the wardrobe should not become a deciding factor, find something else about the candidates that set them apart, that might include abilities to work in groups/individually or something else.... ask more questions to get the bottom of it... not simply write it off as "oh well I liked that guys tie better...." that is dumb.

 

[alkemyst]

This is something I want to avoid, I simply want to get one multi-use suit and utilize it for the process and make sure that I keep it in a garmet bag and dry clean only.

I am getting the feeling that If i go with charcoal gray or navy blue that it would be a suitable use to change the undershirt and tie to mix it up.. I just need to schedule some time at macy's and other stores mentioned to get something sized/tailored..

I figure I can utilize ross or kohl's to furnish some ties/undershirts for a reasonably good price.

I'd recommend everyone have at least one good suit they pretty much reserve for only things like an interview. You don't have to spend a ton of cash if you are going for jobs under $100k. No one is expecting to see you in a $4000 outfit.

Macy's and the like have really good suit sales. Get a good pair of shoes you reserve for these special occasions and then shop shirts/tie/socks as needed.

I have nice shoes I wear daily, but my Johnson Murphys get only worn a few times a year now. They are probably 20 years old and I used to wear them daily in the office. I spent a ton on them in the past, but they have served me well and have been resoled a few times each (I have a cordovan and black pair)

I have suits I wear out and about, but I always keep that one 'special' one for those special events. Of course this only works with saying in the same shape more or less.

 

[alkemyst]

I feel as though it should be the best candidate for the position not necessarily the best dressed.

If two ideal candidates present themselves and one is dressed better then the other that SHOULD NOT become the determining factor, unless the job explicitly requires someone to routinely dress up such as a public marketing position etc... because only then does it actually matter (Even that I don't care for, I think marketing is all deceptive scheme's).

In the types of positions I would be presenting myself for the wardrobe should not become a deciding factor, find something else about the candidates that set them apart, that might include abilities to work in groups/individually or something else.... ask more questions to get the bottom of it... not simply write it off as "oh well I liked that guys tie better...." that is dumb.

Sadly most of our talent out there gets picked on looks rather than raw ability.

 

[Meractik]

Sadly most of our talent out there gets picked on looks rather than raw ability.

I totally agree.. as sad as it is that is the truth. Part of the reason for which I started the thread because I need to play the part, but I am not willing to spend a million dollars because its the 'in style' i simply want the basic look that'll work well.

 

[torpid]

I've conducted MANY interviews and the people who present themselves well always would be chosen first if all other factors are equal or unknown. Wearing a suit is one aspect, but having a well-designed resume, bringing printed copies, making eye contact etc. are all little things you can do to have a slight edge that require almost no skill to accomplish. That said, the attire has not ever actually been the deciding factor because the other factors always made the choice clear. Nonetheless it is clear that it COULD BE if there are two otherwise equally qualified candidates.

 

[DAGTA]

Better to be overdressed than underdressed.

/hiring manager

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

i'm an engineer. I tend to like to dress up at work though. Business casual = slacks + dress shirt, but there's plenty of people who are in polos, tshirts at times, jeans, but I go slacks + dress shirt.

So for my interview I always wear a shirt + tie + slacks. No 3 piece, because that's ridiculous. I have been told that I'm dressed too much for an engineer before at an interview. This is Silicon Valley after all. But I believe in dressing well at work. Be professional and carry out your work in a serious manner.

I do have friends who I don't understand can never wear anything formal. Yeah you work for a software company, but t-shirt everyday? And you show up to our friends wedding in jeans? How about my birthday celebration where we're going clubbing? Every guy's in a button shirt, do you not have one?

Ok there I go again. I'm judging people (as in my other thread)

 

[Dumac]

I never understood why you wouldn't want to wear a nice suit/dressed up.

Even if you their culture/position you are applying for will end up being a jeans/t-shirt job, what harm can putting up with a few hours being in a suit do?

Just suck it up and wear a suit (properly fitted, with appropriate tie and dress shoes) for a few hours. It can't hurt you and can only help.

Because you don't want to spend a lot of money on a nice suit when you are a poor student?

Because you don't feel comfortable in a suit, which will lead to you not feeling comfortable at the interview, which could negatively affect your performance?

Because, in some environments, a suit seems stuffy?

 

[torpid]

If you are interviewing for jobs as a soon-to-be-graduate then surely you MUST have nice clothes. You are competing with a million other applicants and they probably will forget your name the instant you step out of the room.