Casual Attire Interview

Clubman2012

I have been invited to interview for a leading US company. They stress their commitment to a casual workplace on their website and they stated on their invitation e mail that they are casual and there is no need for a suit.

The obvious thing is NOT to wear a suit.

However I'm planning on wearing a new well fitted shirt, dark TH jeans and a trendy brand spanking new pair of Lacoste Flat shoes.

Am I going to look like a muppet?

Very paranoid

Please advise if you've had a similar style interview.

Thanks

tatli_lokma

I reckon you'll be grand. Once you avoid the shirt-tie-jacket combo you'll be fine, what you describe sounds like a good call. Remember you still want to look smart and presentable, so I would err on the side of smart-casual and your outfit sounds like it would fit that.

'Casual' can mean so many things to different people. For e.g for my sister casual would be only applying two coats of mascara, and mid heel shoes and only spending 20 mins on her hair instead of the usual 40. Casual to my husband would mean tracksuit or jeans and a sweatshirt. Don't get too stressed about it.

Stheno

tatli_lokma wrote: »

I reckon you'll be grand. Once you avoid the shirt-tie-jacket combo you'll be fine, what you describe sounds like a good call. Remember you still want to look smart and presentable, so I would err on the side of smart-casual and your outfit sounds like it would fit that.

'Casual' can mean so many things to different people. For e.g for my sister casual would be only applying two coats of mascara, and mid heel shoes and only spending 20 mins on her hair instead of the usual 40. Casual to my husband would mean tracksuit or jeans and a sweatshirt. Don't get too stressed about it.

I'd disagree tbh on the suitability, I'd never ever wear jeans to an interview.

On the assumption the OP is male, I'd suggest the shirt and shoes are fine, but I'd wear slightly dressier bottoms than jeans

Bandana boy

Slacks and a shirt for the interview would be my advice ,once you start you will know if jeans,slacks or shorts is the norm for employees but being underdressed is always worse than being over dressed.

Mr. Loverman

"There is no need for a suit".

What is the exact wording?

My initial advice is to wear a suit.

Froggy123

hi, I had an interview for a similar place recently where the everyday wear is casual(i.e. jeans) but for the interview i still think you should go for business casual which is suit trousers and shirt (no tie). It is still an interview at the end of the day, better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Points wont be taking off you for wearing business casual but they might if you show up in jeans and runners.

Phantasos

Definitely don't wear a suit if they said not to. However, you should definitely wear a decent pair of trousers and a shirt. Not jeans, something a little dressier.

They might be casual in their workplace, but trousers/shirt looks neat and clean and that's a plus. You don't want to risk looking too laid-back.

Clubman2012

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

"There is no need for a suit".

What is the exact wording?

My initial advice is to wear a suit.

The literally stated that ''the dresscode is casual and there is no need to wear a suit''.

I'm 25, I dont wear suit bottoms and shirts and loafers. Its either a business suit or more of a casual appearance. I'd look ridiculous otherwise

3DataModem

Clubman2012 wrote: »

The literally stated that ''the dresscode is casual and there is no need to wear a suit''.

I'm 25, I dont wear suit bottoms and shirts and loafers. Its either a business suit or more of a casual appearance. I'd look ridiculous otherwise

In this situation, I would wear a suit. I've personal experience of interviewing in casual (VERY casual "don't wear a suit") workplaces. I wore a suit, no tie.

The objective is to make them understand you are taking this thing really seriously. Wearing a suit does that. .

Clubman2012

I think I'll go for suit bottoms, shoes and a shirt. I think a full suit is running completely against the info they gave me. Also jeans might give a bad impression.

Its for a large US firm taking the Google approach to business. I bet I'll be gutted I doidnt turn up casual!

Live and learn I suppose.

3DataModem

Clubman2012 wrote: »

I think a full suit is running completely against the info they gave me. Also jeans might give a bad impression.

They didn't say "don't wear a suit" they said "you don't have to wear a suit".

My advice is wear a suit, no tie. Easy way to create air between you and the rest of them.

I've been in your shoes. I was interviewed by guys in hockey shirts and flip flops. Got the job.

Stheno

3DataModem wrote: »

They didn't say "don't wear a suit" they said "you don't have to wear a suit".

My advice is wear a suit, no tie. Easy way to create air between you and the rest of them.

I've been in your shoes. I was interviewed by guys in hockey shirts and flip flops. Got the job.

Good advice, I've been in senior roles, where I'd slob in in skinny jeans and a hoody and interview people in suits dressed like that.

What I measured was there response to me and my dress, versus their interest in the job and ignoring how I looked.

Jim2007

Clubman2012 wrote: »

I have been invited to interview for a leading US company. They stress their commitment to a casual workplace on their website and they stated on their invitation e mail that they are casual and there is no need for a suit.

The obvious thing is NOT to wear a suit.

However I'm planning on wearing a new well fitted shirt, dark TH jeans and a trendy brand spanking new pair of Lacoste Flat shoes.

Am I going to look like a muppet?

Very paranoid

Please advise if you've had a similar style interview.

Thanks

Look our opinions don't count for much because we have no idea about the company, but I agree with you that wearing a suit is out of the question. What I would do is ring up the company and talk to one of the people at reception, explain your situation and see what info they can give you. Also use google and facebook t find images of company events etc...

freeze4real

With big multinational companies the dress code is polo shirt and jeans.

My bro works for one if these big IT financial companies and that's what they wear.

Why not wear check shirt and jeans with some decent shoes.

tatli_lokma

Normally I agree with all the posters who say overdressed is better than underdressed, but in this case I think differently. The reason being, if the company is very actively seeking to establish a casual culture similar to Google, to the point that they expressly state no suits and tell applicants that they are very casual, then a big factor in the interview will be if the candidate fits this culture they are wanting to establish.

If OP does err on the side of caution and wear slacks, then I think he has to make reference that he was in a quandary as to what he should wear as it was an interview, but on a day to day basis he is relishing the opportunity to work in a less formal environment. Take opportunities during the interview to really get the whole excitement at this type of workplace across to them because for places like Google etc this culture they have is vitally important to them and dismissing it will loose you the job.

ewan whose army

I went overdressed for a Sponsored PhD interview in Trinity College, I was the only one in a Suit for my position (Only other was for a Post Doc) and well I got the Job.

I haven't worn a suit since mind, being a college its obviously very casual (even if I did go for Smart Casual for my first day and my supervisor turned up in Jeans and a tee shirt) .

Better to be over dressed than under dressed.

Although since the email said no suits I wouldn't go in a suit, that would just mean you didn't read the mail.

Probably go with a shirt and pants, Also a smart fitted pullover and pants also looks good for that kind of attire.

tatli_lokma

ewan whose army wrote: »

I went overdressed for a Sponsored PhD interview in Trinity College, I was the only one in a Suit for my position (Only other was for a Post Doc) and well I got the Job.

I haven't worn a suit since mind, being a college its obviously very casual (even if I did go for Smart Casual for my first day and my supervisor turned up in Jeans and a tee shirt) .

Better to be over dressed than under dressed.

Although since the email said no suits I wouldn't go in a suit, that would just mean you didn't read the mail.

Probably go with a shirt and pants, Also a smart fitted pullover and pants also looks good for that kind of attire.

I think that situation is quite different from the OP's - this company appear to be actively fostering a casual environment to the point where they make it clear to interviewees that they are casual and no suit is needed. In your case, there was no explicit attempt to promote a certain type of organisational culture. And I am sure that you got the job based upon a lot more than the fact that you wore a suit and others didn't.

ewan whose army

tatli_lokma wrote: »

I think that situation is quite different from the OP's - this company appear to be actively fostering a casual environment to the point where they make it clear to interviewees that they are casual and no suit is needed. In your case, there was no explicit attempt to promote a certain type of organisational culture. And I am sure that you got the job based upon a lot more than the fact that you wore a suit and others didn't.

I am just saying its better being overdressed than underdressed.

Okay its "casual" but going in Semi business (like a shirt/pullover and trousers) would be better than jeans etc. even if the other candidates show up like that.

dearg lady

In most instances overdressed is better than underdressed, but a few places this is not the case. Hard to say if this applies for the OP, perhaps as suggested ringing reception and making general enquiries is not a bad idea

Diziet

Chinos, a nice shirt and decent shoes would fit well I think. If they said no suit it would be weird to turn up in a suit.

Interceptor

Diziet wrote: »

Chinos, a nice shirt and decent shoes would fit well I think. If they said no suit it would be weird to turn up in a suit.

This^. Only wear jeans if you know with 100% certainty that the people interviewing you will be wearing jeans.

I interview a lot of people for technical and management positions and while you can't beat a suit, when you tell someone there is no need for a suit and they show up in one it indicates that they aren't good at taking instruction.

I recently interviewed someone for a €75k/yr position and they showed up in a nice suit with their trousers fly undone and shirt tail sticking out of it. Great interview but how do I trust them to go into a customers premises and make a good impression.

'cptr

techdiver

I interview the person, not the clothes.

I don't give this horse ****e about wearing a suit = good attitude. If the interviewer is any good they should be well able to guage the candidates attitude by talking to them, unless of course they are one of those interviewers who googles generic interview questions and asks people "What their weaknesses are" etc.

From the other side, I have worn jeans and t-shirt to interviews and been offered the job.

tatli_lokma

Interview does not always equal suit - it is very much industry and company determined. If you were interviewing for a very creative job and came in a standard suit/tie combo you probably won't get the job. The same goes for fashion, or certain types of retail. Some companies are actually very anti corporate so turning up looking like a cookie cutter business man won't impress

so I think the best suggestion is the one of phoning to check or maybe Google them to see if anything comes up about their corporate culture or even post on here the company name and see if anyone works or has interviewed there before. Overdressing in this case may cost the job if they specifically gave instructions to dress casually.

Clubman2012

I went with Jeans a nice shirt and new pair of shoes I had bought. Was the right thing to do as they were really laid back, I was the most ''dressed up'' person in the room, and I genuinely think they would have got the wrong vibe from me if I went with Slacks.

I felt more comfortable and at ease.

If anyone is ever in a similar situation. Unless your told ''Smart Casual''. Be yourself!

Cheers peeps.

tatli_lokma

tatli_lokma wrote: »

Interview does not always equal suit - it is very much industry and company determined. If you were interviewing for a very creative job and came in a standard suit/tie combo you probably won't get the job. The same goes for fashion, or certain types of retail. Some companies are actually very anti corporate so turning up looking like a cookie cutter business man won't impress

so I think the best suggestion is the one of phoning to check or maybe Google them to see if anything comes up about their corporate culture or even post on here the company name and see if anyone works or has interviewed there before. Overdressing in this case may cost the job if they specifically gave instructions to dress casually.

Exactly. Am surprised in this day and age people still give out the old 'you always wear a suit to a job interview' advice. You'd look like a tw@t going for a creative type job in a suit. I just got a job at a respected university (teaching extra English classes for foreign students). I wore black skinny jeans, black boots, purple top, black oversized cardigan and grey patterned scarf. Nice jewellery, hair up in a bun. Smart looking but not corporate. I think suits can make people look a bit like lemmings. Good in some industries but not all.