What to wear in an interview?

Daffodil.d

Hi, I've been unemployed a little while now and before that I worked in a job for 10 years. So it's safe to say I haven't been interviewed in a while. I know every aspect of the interview is important and what I'm stuck on is what to wear. I don't have an interview yet but am feeling positive and I think I should have something in my wardrobe that would cover all types of interviews. Has anyone any help?

genericguy

wear a suit, full stop.

Scráib

Legally speaking you can't be judged on what you wear in an interview. A lad I know for example got a job in Google after wearing jeans and a T-Shirt to the interview.

That said, don't take any chances. I always wear a full suit to an interview. I wouldn't go in there dressed casual in any way. If you don't look like you're giving it 100% it looks like you're not serious about the job.

Agent Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT_vf5ioXXk

ash23

I've never worn an actual suit to an interview (though I'm a girl). i usually wear a pair of black trousers, a blouse and a cardigan. My usual office attire. Never been an issue before.

music.babe75

I would say to wear a suit to an interview.....if not a matching suit maybe a suit jacket/blazery type thing with smart trousers, nice t-shirt or blouse, smart shoes.

i think it maybe OK to wear a cardigan for work but would not wear one for an interview....

bbam

I think a shirt and trousers is as much as is required unless the job is in a formal setting where a suit would be expected...
To be honest smart casual is fine, good jeans and polo shirt is fine for most positions and you would feel more comfortable...

I've seen people come through the door in suits and they were soooo uncomfortable it affected their interview...

Eoin

Scráib wrote: »

Legally speaking you can't be judged on what you wear in an interview.

Do you have a link to that legislation?

pollypocket10

I'm pretty sure there won't be a link. There are nine grounds on which you cannot be judged(i.e. discriminated against). Anything else is fair game.

Always at the very least wear TRousers/Skirt and a Blouse/Shirt, for more professional lines of work wear a suit. NEVER wear jeans, some will frown on it and it's not worth the risk.

FYI The nine grounds are

• The gender ground: A man, a woman or a transsexual person (specific protection is provided for pregnant employees or in relation to maternity leave);
• The marital status ground: Single, married, separated, divorced or widowed;
• The family status ground: A parent of a person under 18 years or the resident primary carer or a parent of a person with a disability;
• The sexual orientation ground: Gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual; (The Court of Justice in PSV held that discrimination against a transsexual constituted discrimination on the grounds of sex.)
• The religion ground: Different religious belief, background, outlook or none;
• The age ground: This applies to all ages above the maximum age at which a person is statutorily obliged to attend school;
• The disability ground: This is broadly defined including people with physical, intellectual, learning, cognitive or emotional disabilities and a range of medical conditions;
• The race ground: A particular race, skin colour, nationality or ethnic origin;
• The Traveller community ground: People who are commonly called Travellers, who are identified both by Travellers and others as people with a shared history, culture and traditions, identified historically as a nomadic way of life on the island of Ireland

ash23

Just back from an interview where I wore smart trousers, shirt and a black cardi. Didn't seem to matter. Especially as it was casual Friday and the interviewers were in smart casual aswell.
There were a few waiting, all in suits. Oh well.
If I get the job we'll know it doesn't matter

I.S.T.

genericguy wrote: »

wear a suit, full stop.

Agreed. A suit will always impress the interviewer and show you take the job seriously.

tHE vAGGABOND

Agreed. A suit will always impress the interviewer and show you take the job seriously.

I have have been the interviewer many times in my current and previous job, for full time and part time roles..

And give me two identical candidates, with nothing to chose between them, I am picking the guy in the suit over the guy who looks like he slept in his clothes or is wearing his clobber from Saturday night every time.

As this lad said, it shows your taking things seriously, and interviewers love that.

As the candidate, you guys need to be thinking about what you can do to stand out from the crowd and get you the job over the other folks. This is one of those 'one percenters' as they say in sports commentry.

bbam

IrishSpeedTraps wrote: »

Agreed. A suit will always impress the interviewer and show you take the job seriously.

A suit never impresses me...
If the guy/gal knows their stuff then fair enough...

If you can't find a difference between two people you need to ask more questions (or better ones the first time) or look at their CV's again..
I wouldn't choose someone in poor clothing but if they're presentable that's good enough..

niall1976

Why speculate about what to wear and take chances on your job prospects?

Call the person who has organised the interview for you (agency or HR) and ask them what the culture is like in the company and what is the dress code for the office. From this, judge the company and make your call.

I interview people for roles all the time, senior and junior positions.

Its important that the candidate presents themselves in the right way. It's not just about the suit, but about the whole first impression.

Big Smile, Good Handshake, Dressed to impress and the right balance of confidence and humility.

Don't leave it to chance, there are too many people looking for the same role.

bbam

niall1976 wrote: »

Its important that the candidate presents themselves in the right way. It's not just about the suit, but about the whole first impression.

Big Smile, Good Handshake, Dressed to impress and the right balance of confidence and humility.

well put