My first real interview.

KillerToaster

I've had a few jobs in the past few years, but they were always for menial positions that had little responsibility. Often they were organised through temp agencies and there was not even an interview before I turned up to work.

So this afternoon I have my first real interview with a internet company based in Dublin. I have been brushing up on my interview skills etc.

But I'm worried about what to wear. I have a pair of black leather shoes and a pair of chinos, and have bought a white shirt and have a suit jacket.

I'm not sure weather I should wear a tie and or do my top button. I've heard they are very relaxed with the dress code once you get the job, but for the interview I want to look neat. Some people have told me I don't need to wear a tie and others are advising me to. Not sure what to do.


Can anyone give me some much needed pointers?

The Big Red Button

KillerToaster wrote: »

I've had a few jobs in the past few years, but they were always for menial positions that had little responsibility. Often they were organised through temp agencies and there was not even an interview before I turned up to work.

So this afternoon I have my first real interview with a internet company based in Dublin. I have been brushing up on my interview skills etc.

But I'm worried about what to wear. I have a pair of black leather shoes and a pair of chinos, and have bought a white shirt and have a suit jacket.

I'm not sure weather I should wear a tie and or do my top button. I've heard they are very relaxed with the dress code once you get the job, but for the interview I want to look neat. Some people have told me I don't need to wear a tie and others are advising me to. Not sure what to do.


Can anyone give me some much needed pointers?

A friend of mine went for a job as a school caretaker recently, and he wore a full suit, shirt, and tie. He was very overdressed compared to other candidates he saw at the interview centre - but he got the job. (And it was highly competitive - well-paid permanent, pensionable jobs in rural areas are hard to come by!) He probably wouldn't have been the most experienced candidate at all, either. But the interviewers did comment afterwards that he made a great first impression with his appearance, it showed he was taking the interview seriously.

Basically I'd advise that you're generally better to be overdressed than underdressed. So I'd go for suit, shirt and tie - unless otherwise specified in the invitation to interview.

tfitzgerald

Wear the tie. Best of luck

Wishbone Ash

KillerToaster wrote: »

and have bought a white shirt

Try another colour if possible. White shirts tend to be bought and worn by people who feel that they have to "dress up" for a particular occasion. People who are always well dressed seldom wear white shirts.

...and if you are in any way over weight a white shirt should always be avoided.


If you are going to wear a tie alway do the top button. It's totally pointless otherwise and sends out all the wrong signals.

chatterpillar wrote: »

I'd advise that you're generally better to be overdressed than underdressed

+1

Good luck.

RoryMurphyJnr

Top button fastened
Tie neatly done up
Polish your shoes
Don't bathe in aftershave before hand
Make sure you know about the company, what they do, bit of their history
Make sure you have some questions, training available? shifts etc
Don't waffle
Be clear and concise with your answers
If you don't understand the question say so.
Don't bull****

Good luck

Atomicjuicer

Depends on the company.

Some tech jobs want people who are a good fit with the rest of the team. If everyone wears casual to work there you don't want to go over the top with suity stuff.

I didn't wear a tie and I got a job in tech. My shirt was open at the top button too.

This was before the recession mind you.

KillerToaster

Thanks everybody.

I'm going to have to go with the white shirt. It's the only one I have that fits me well.

I've heard from so many people complete opposites. Go in looking casual, dress up well, wear a tie, don't wear a tie.

I'm going with the latter in both cases. Tie and well dressed with the top button done.

I got through the phone interview quite well and even though I do not have enough experience in this field they wanted me to come in. At least it shows they are a little interested.

I'll let you guys know how I got on.

Thanks again for the advice.

GreeBo

You can never make a bad impression by being over-dressed.
The opposite is not true.

I'm a software engineer and always wear a suit to any interviews and have never interviewed anyone who is not in a suit.

Even if the office is casual, wear a suit.

RoryMurphyJnr

Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit

even if I was going for a job in McDonalds I'd wear a suit.
I've done quite a few interviews and we've always thought it bad form if a candidate didn't wear one

RoryMurphyJnr

Atomicjuicer wrote: »

Depends on the company.

Some tech jobs want people who are a good fit with the rest of the team. If everyone wears casual to work there you don't want to go over the top with suity stuff.

I didn't wear a tie and I got a job in tech. My shirt was open at the top button too.

This was before the recession mind you.

The fact is that everyone wears casual to work there, as in they've passed an interview and got the job already.
I'd bet next to none of them didn't wear a suit to the interview.

No point taking the risk, wear a suit, then without the tie on your first day than take it from there

2qk4u

I went for a couple of job interviews a couple of weeks ago, the jobs were only part time and nothing special but I wore clean black shoes, clean black trousers, nice well ironed shirt and matching tie, other candidates turned up in very casual clothes, unshaven and I was convinced that one guy had slept in his clothes before the interview. All three interviews that I attended ended up with a job offer.

My advice, always dress well but neutral.

Mrs OBumble

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

White shirts tend to be bought and worn by people who feel that they have to "dress up" for a particular occasion. People who are always well dressed seldom wear white shirts.

What does that say about someone like me who wears a white shirt twice a week? :eek:

Boofle

JustMary wrote: »

What does that say about someone like me who wears a white shirt twice a week? :eek:

I think a white shirt looks very smart! I have always worn either a white shirt or top under my suit for interviews and I got the jobs!!

Meelich

Killer, how did you get on?

boobar

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit
Always wear a suit

even if I was going for a job in McDonalds I'd wear a suit.
I've done quite a few interviews and we've always thought it bad form if a candidate didn't wear one

Couldn't agree more.

Always, always, suit up.

Ultegra

Hope interview went well and you were dressed to impress.

kylith

It's always better to be overdressed for an interview, no matter what the job is. Shine your shoes and wear the tie.

KillerToaster

Hey guys. I think I did alright. In any case, I looked good.

I was supposed to take a foreign language test after the interview but their computers in the HR department were down. They emailed me today and I did it from home. I think I did well.

They said they would get in touch with me in the coming week. And while I really hope I get the job and I think I did okay with the interview and everything, I honestly think they will not hire me because of lack of experience.

Anyways, I'm still hoping for the job and I'll let you all know if I got it.

Thanks again for all the advice and encouragement.

Bandana boy

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

People who are always well dressed seldom wear white shirts.

Really ,I must have missed this.
I work in a company where all management wear a suit and tie Mon-Thur and I would say at on given day 50-70% wear a white shirt.
I only started recently having always worked in business casual places before and one of the first thing i did was invest in a half dozen plain white shirts.
Pattern or colours can work with one suit but clash with another,white always works.

Meelich

Well done Killer.

Follow up with a phone call if you don't hear from them by say Wednesday saying that you're really really keen on the role and wonder whether there is any update. If they then say 'no thanks' immediately ask whether it is possible to get any feedback from the interviewers. Do always say 'thank you'.

I must have interviewed hundreds in my time for lots of different industries and the people who really want the job, who show they are keen by looking really smart, being really polite, friendly, interested, excited, tend to be the ones who get the job and if they don't get it because there is someone more qualified when something does come up they are remembered.

If the feedback is positive but its something like 'we had several candidates with more experience' then immediately say 'I do understand, do you think you will have other roles coming up, if so when,' etc etc.

Best of luck, you have the right attitude, you'll get there.