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Dress Code at New Job?

  • 18-03-2012 9:19pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭coco_lola


    Hey all,

    I'm starting at a new company next week, and it wasn't made very clear what the dress code was, and I forgot to ask. When I was interviewing, it appeared to be a kind of 'business casual' dress that most people had, with men wearing suit pants and a shirt just with top button open, no tie or jacket. Women seemed to wear dresses and tights with boots. I didn't see suit pants or skirts.

    My current role is very casual, an "anything goes as long as you work hard" policy. So it would be safe to say I don't have a whole pile of business dress clothes! Would it be ok to wear a knee length dress with tights and boots on the first day, or should I be wearing "interview clothes" on my first day? Of course I have no problem buying these clothes, just was looking for advice! It is an office job.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,055 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    coco_lola wrote: »
    Would it be ok to wear a knee length dress with tights and boots on the first day
    Might not be a great idea if you're male!

    (Sorry - I couldn't resist! :D)

    Seriously though, it's considered perfectly normal to pick up the phone and ask. If that's not possible prior to starting it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,501 ✭✭✭✭Slydice


    coco_lola wrote: »
    My current role is very casual, an "anything goes as long as you work hard" policy. So it would be safe to say I don't have a whole pile of business dress clothes! Would it be ok to wear a knee length dress with tights and boots on the first day, or should I be wearing "interview clothes" on my first day? Of course I have no problem buying these clothes, just was looking for advice! It is an office job.

    Been in a situation or two like that. It's like a choice of professional or casual. I went with a borderline outfit.

    Something that I thought that I thought I'd get away with cos (if casual woulda been better) "I was just dressing up a bit for the first day" or (if professional woulda been better) it woulda looked just ok and then I could adjust what I was wearing the following day to be more professional.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭Mick990


    My advice would be to call and find out.

    Remember though if you go professional and its casual you still look professional and give a good image of yourself (first impressions). If you go casual and its professional then you could be giving the wrong impression so if i was in doubt I would go pro all the way


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,395 ✭✭✭✭mikemac1


    No harm wearing the interview clothes on your first day

    Better too smart then too casual

    On Day two you'll know the score


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭boobar


    Wear the suit, best to be overdressed than under in my book. Don't go casual, and if the job involves a level of responibility, I wouldn't ask what the dress code is.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,300 ✭✭✭CiaranC


    Ring and ask what the dresscode is.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,193 ✭✭✭[Jackass]


    If in doubt, over dress, and you can dress down for the following day if its more casual.

    Definitely better to be a bit too formal than a bit too casual.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,745 ✭✭✭StupidLikeAFox


    tumblr_lcs4m3AbSZ1qf76m1o1_400.png


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭boobar


    CiaranC wrote: »
    Ring and ask what the dresscode is.

    Some organisations don't have a formal dress code and depending on who you ask you'll get a different answer. If you ring and ask the reception he/she may say one thing, whereas the CEO may something different.

    While I accept that some organisations aren't as hung up on this as others, I think first day go in suited and booted and suss it out for yourself. The worst anyone can say is that you were turned out well and wanted to make a good impression.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,502 ✭✭✭chris85


    boobar wrote: »
    Some organisations don't have a formal dress code and depending on who you ask you'll get a different answer. If you ring and ask the reception he/she may say one thing, whereas the CEO may something different.

    While I accept that some organisations aren't as hung up on this as others, I think first day go in suited and booted and suss it out for yourself. The worst anyone can say is that you were turned out well and wanted to make a good impression.

    +1

    Suited and booted the way to go. Common enough issue but you dont want to be the person underdressed on their first day. Perception is reality at the end of the day and dont be perceived as unprofessional on the first day.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    If - for whatever reason - you don't want to call them to find out, simply go to their office around closing time and watch the people leave. You'll quickly get an idea of what sort of stuff they wear.


  • Posts: 0 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Malakai Crooked Phlegm


    You always know the new people because they are a bit overdressed at the start
    totally normal
    wear the interview stuff and you'll know by day 2


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭Mr. Loverman


    bluewolf wrote: »
    You always know the new people because they are a bit overdressed at the start
    totally normal
    wear the interview stuff and you'll know by day 2

    Exactly. It's normal and no one will care. In fact they will think it's a bit cute.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,411 ✭✭✭ABajaninCork


    Totally agree with the others. Better to over rather than under dress.

    I started a contract role recently. On my first day, I wore black trousers, white shirt and high heels with a full face of make up. I was greeted by my (female) boss wearing jeans and a fisherman's jumper! The dress code was very casual to say the least.

    But - figure I'm too old to change. I continued to wear semi-formal office dress. Tailored trousers, blouses/nice tops Jackets or nice cardis and heels, even though I looked over-dressed compared to some of my colleagues. I've always felt if you dress well, then you'll be in the right frame of mind to work well.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭coco_lola


    Thanks for all the replies everyone. This is my first "grown up" job, so I think that I'll just go suited up and then I can guage! I normally wear a black dress with black tights and heels with a cardigan to interviews, or else a grey pair of suit pants and a blouse. I feel more comfortable in a dress so I think I'll go with that. I can guage it then after! Wish me luck :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,055 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    coco_lola wrote: »
    Wish me luck :D
    Good luck! :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭boobar


    coco_lola wrote: »
    Thanks for all the replies everyone. This is my first "grown up" job, so I think that I'll just go suited up and then I can guage! I normally wear a black dress with black tights and heels with a cardigan to interviews, or else a grey pair of suit pants and a blouse. I feel more comfortable in a dress so I think I'll go with that. I can guage it then after! Wish me luck :D


    Best of luck in the new job coco_lola.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,300 ✭✭✭CiaranC


    boobar wrote: »
    Some organisations don't have a formal dress code and depending on who you ask you'll get a different answer.
    Then ask your direct manager? I dont know why this is so hard.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭coco_lola


    CiaranC wrote: »
    Then ask your direct manager? I dont know why this is so hard.

    In this situation I didn't want to be calling people on their personal mobiles over the long weekend. I'm going to go with the advice to dress "interview-y" and I can guage it after that. In my last job, as I said, it was casual (you could wear sweatpants if you wanted to), but people on their first day came dressed for an interview, no one paid any attention!

    Thanks for the well wishes guys :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    did you not see what other employees were wearing when you went for the interview?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭boobar


    CiaranC wrote: »
    Then ask your direct manager? I dont know why this is so hard.

    I wasn't suggesting it was hard, and the OP may not even have the contact details of her direct manager at this stage, she may have HR's contact details. Anyway, OP has made the decision to dress formally based on the advice given to her on this forum.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭coco_lola


    did you not see what other employees were wearing when you went for the interview?
    coco_lola wrote: »
    When I was interviewing, it appeared to be a kind of 'business casual' dress that most people had, with men wearing suit pants and a shirt just with top button open, no tie or jacket. Women seemed to wear dresses and tights with boots. I didn't see suit pants or skirts.

    Would it be ok to wear a knee length dress with tights and boots on the first day, or should I be wearing "interview clothes" on my first day? Of course I have no problem buying these clothes, just was looking for advice! It is an office job.

    As I mentioned in my first post, I did, but I wasn't sure if this was what all employees were wearing or just a select few. Some management wore business casual clothes like pencil skirts & blouse, whereas others wore a dress with tights and boots, which would be my style.

    Thanks everyone for your help!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78 ✭✭L0ui5e


    coco_lola wrote: »
    Hey all,

    I'm starting at a new company next week, and it wasn't made very clear what the dress code was, and I forgot to ask. When I was interviewing, it appeared to be a kind of 'business casual' dress that most people had, with men wearing suit pants and a shirt just with top button open, no tie or jacket. Women seemed to wear dresses and tights with boots. I didn't see suit pants or skirts.

    My current role is very casual, an "anything goes as long as you work hard" policy. So it would be safe to say I don't have a whole pile of business dress clothes! Would it be ok to wear a knee length dress with tights and boots on the first day, or should I be wearing "interview clothes" on my first day? Of course I have no problem buying these clothes, just was looking for advice! It is an office job.

    Wow- there are jobs to be got out there!
    This is a good news story!! ha ha..
    Best of luck with it!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭coco_lola


    L0ui5e wrote: »
    Wow- there are jobs to be got out there!
    This is a good news story!! ha ha..
    Best of luck with it!

    You just have to look really hard and persevere ;) Don't give up on it!

    Networking is definitely the way to go!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,644 ✭✭✭SerialComplaint


    boobar wrote: »
    if the job involves a level of responibility, I wouldn't ask what the dress code is.
    Why not? Unless telepathy is one of the requirements of the job, what is wrong with asking a simple question?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭boobar


    Why not? Unless telepathy is one of the requirements of the job, what is wrong with asking a simple question?

    Just a personal view that's all. If I looked for a senior manager, grilled them during an interview on very specialist subjects, hired them and expected them to make some difficult decisions, I wouldn't be impressed if they then asked me what they should wear. I'd just expect them to make up their own mind that's all.

    But sure look each to their own, if you feel the need to ask, ask, if you don't, don't.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,644 ✭✭✭SerialComplaint


    boobar wrote: »
    Just a personal view that's all. If I looked for a senior manager, grilled them during an interview on very specialist subjects, hired them and expected them to make some difficult decisions, I wouldn't be impressed if they then asked me what they should wear. I'd just expect them to make up their own mind that's all.

    But sure look each to their own, if you feel the need to ask, ask, if you don't, don't.

    I'd expect any senior manager to know when they need to ask for information, or indeed for help. It's a simple question about corporate culture and policy. Any HR person should be well used to dealing with such questions.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,300 ✭✭✭CiaranC


    boobar wrote: »
    Just a personal view that's all. If I looked for a senior manager, grilled them during an interview on very specialist subjects, hired them and expected them to make some difficult decisions, I wouldn't be impressed if they then asked me what they should wear. I'd just expect them to make up their own mind that's all.

    But sure look each to their own, if you feel the need to ask, ask, if you don't, don't.

    If you selected someone for a role and they showed up in completely inappropriate attire without bothering to ask a simple, direct, extremely common question for new starts of their manager it would reflect pretty poorly on you, as well as on them. A simple call or email is the professional thing to do. OP is an adult.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭boobar


    CiaranC wrote: »
    If you selected someone for a role and they showed up in completely inappropriate attire without bothering to ask a simple, direct, extremely common question for new starts of their manager it would reflect pretty poorly on you, as well as on them. A simple call or email is the professional thing to do. OP is an adult.

    As I said earlier, it's my own personal view. I just wouldn't ask what I should wear on the first day if I hadn't been given details of a dress code. I don't know why you're highlighting that OP is an adult to me.


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