interview attire input...

For a blue collar job I feel your finest casual attire is proper. For a white collar job I think it's suit and tie time. Though I do believe that ditching the suits jacket is just fine in most cases.


Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

 

I remember back when I was going to my first "real" interview. I was 17, interviewing at a Fortune 100 company for a technical job. I wore corduroy pants and a hawaiian shirt, and probably some Nike Jordans. I had NO clue what I was doing. Funny enough, I got the job and turned it down because I decided to enjoy my summer off of school.

Now that I know better, it's usually slacks and a nice shirt. If it's really necessary, a full suit and tie. I agree though - always better to be dressed up than to be dressed down.

 

I think regardless of the job I'd wear a suit.

 

Has to be a suit, I just got a new job about a month ago, and wore a suit & tie to the interview...

 

I think it really depends on the industry but you can never go wrong in a suit.

For tech jobs, especially more senior positions, I don't care what they wear as long as its not offensive. Generally, I see applicants with khakis and a polo. Last interview I did (ages ago), thats what I wore. Also know that jeans and a T-Shirt are acceptable attire in my office.

When we do get applicants in a suit we tell them they can lose the tie.

-dsd

 

I interview 40 or 50 people a year, usually for entry level jobs, but higher level as well. If my candidate does not wear a suit, I notice immediately. I don't wear suits, I'm business casual during the week and jeans on Friday, but I'm not the guy that wants a job. First impressions count, always. Better to over dress than under dress. The only exception to this rule is if you already work for the company and are trying to move within it.

Wear the suit.

 

I am graduating in two and a half weeks, so i've been starting to go through this process, and definately agree with this. It is always better to dress up, you have to keep in mind that you are essentially marketing yourself for the position.

 

Wear a suit for a 'real' job.

Wear slacks and a nice dress shirt for anything else.

 

What grown man in his right mind uses the word "slacks"?

 

Always were a suit. Since being in LA I noticed how lax everyone is. I always wear a suit for meetings and/or interviews.

I remember going in for a HUGE ad agency in Santa Monica and it was the first time being in LA were I felt like I was back east. All the woman were stunning and dressed elegantly. Now if I can find were they go for drinks, Ill be set


Antony

 

Do you prefer "trousers"?

 

i've been to a good amount of interviews lately -- havent landed a job yet my interviewing skills suck, but I know i am more than capable of performing any job that I have been interviewed for (i'm a picky appli-er)

I almost always wear a suit. However, I feel a black suit is TOO formal, so i usually go with a grey or dark[navy] blue suit. I do it all kinds of ways, depending how I feel. Jacket, no tie, full jacket and tie, or just the pants with shirt and tie.

My mother knew the CMO of IEHP (iehp.org), who will become the CEO in the next 3-4 years when the current one retires. I was invited in to take a test [on SQL and Access], and i WAS NOT TOLD THERE WOULD BE AN INTERVIEW AFTERWARD. I went into the test wearing a polo shirt and some khakis, very casual. After the test, they told me I would be doing an interview. I was very underdressed, even though it was "casual friday" at the place that day, so I figured i'd be okay.

after the interview, when my mother called to follow up with them, they commented on my attire. Even with the backing of the 2IC, I didn't get the job i must REALLY suck!

 

Don't be a schmuck.

Of course you wear a suit. And a tie.

Don't you dare take that jacket off.

Look em in the eye.

A lot.

But don't stare.

Don't fidget.

 

Good advice. Here's some more:

If you have trouble looking them in the eye, look at their forehead. They won't notice the difference.

If you need to think about your answer, that's ok. But while you're thinking, look up at the ceiling or wall, not down at the floor. If you look up, you'll be perceived as a thinker. If you look down you'll be perceived as timid.

If you don't have a good answer to a question, ask if you can come back to it. Better that than trying to BS your way through it.

Smile.

Think of things you've accomplished, either professionally or in school. Be prepared to discuss them in detail.

Also think of things you've failed at. "I've never failed" isn't an acceptable answer. Turn it into a positive by discussing what you learned from it.

Have an idea as to why you're the best person for the job, and why the job interests you. "I need the work" won't get you hired.

Learn as much as you can about the company before you go in. Including the stock price, recent changes to their market, customers, etc.

Have questions to ask the interviewer. It shows you've prepared.

Never discuss money, benefits, vacations, working from home, or the hours during the interview unless they bring it up. The goal of the interview is to get the job offer. The rest is negotiable once the offer arrives.

Take notes in a nice quality binder with a pen.

Bring copies of your resume on good stock paper. Interviewers frequently get electronic copies that can be difficult to follow after the info has been transferred from system to system.

Your resume should be 1 page. You're only allowed 2 if you've been working professionally for over 10 years.

At the end, always ask what the next steps in the process are and when you should follow up.

Send a thank you note within 24 hours. The note should express your high interest in the job and a quick reason why you're the best fit. 1 short paragraph, max. Email is ok.

I could go on for days.....

 

A very old friend and mentor of mine always told me "Dress for the job you want not the job you are interviewing for." If you want to be a CEO someday, dress that way!

I have lived by this motto for a long time and it always works out for the best.

 

Lots of sound advice. =) If someone lands a job following the info contained in these great posts please let us know. =)

Best Regards,

Thomas Carey

 

For any professional or white collar job for that matter, you always wear a suit and tie, regardless of how they dress there. It's not your place to find out how they dress and then dress down from the suit.

 

i remember interviewing for a nightwatchman job to support myself through undegrad. the interviewer mentioned that i was one of the few people to wear a suit to the interview (probably the only one) and he knew that i was serious about the job. i got the nod two days later.

 

I was once told to dress for the job you want, and i believe that fully. People take you more seriously if you look professional.(If you can't dazzle them with brilliance baffle them with bulls***, so to speak) It's important to look the part before you actually get the job. I wouldn't dream of going to a job interview in anything other than a suit. What are they teaching kids these days? lol

 

I think the following would get some attention. Try it and let us know what happens!

RMX
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I would take it that all of the above would also apply to a unpaid internship as well? I've been thinking of approaching several watch/jewelry store's to see if my growing interest in watches and gem stones could lead to a new carer path.

I'm very intimidated by this, I work retail right now and make a much better living then most would think, but this would be a whole new world to me and I don't know if these folks would even take me seriously. Is there anything other then dressing well, and boning up on my basic knowledge that would really help?