What to wear to interview?

Addle

Not sure if this should be in the fashion forum, but I'll ask here first.
Friend of mine has a couple of job interviews coming up, 1 for a factory floor job and the other as a builders labourer.
Both interview processes are fairly formal.
He thinks it will be too much to wear a suit.
What do you think is the best option?
Formal or smart casual?

Tabnabs

smart casual for both interviews, no jeans or trainers.

Addle

Thanks. He's going to have to go shopping.
He'll be competing with much younger applicants. Needs to put his best hoot forward!

Agent Smith

Suit.

It shows your serious.

Addle

Agent Smith wrote: »

Suit.

It shows your serious.

But can you appear to be too serious for a job as a general operative?

ads20101

Addle wrote: »

But can you appear to be too serious for a job as a general operative?

No, a suit works for nearly all occasions unless there is a practical compontant that could make formal ware impractical.

Jimbob1977

Suit for the interview, no matter what the role involves.

Shows that you are a serious candidate who put in the effort. If he doesn't own a suit, there's bound to be a friend or family member that can give a loan for an hour.

If he gets the job, just ask about the dress code on the floor and wear that. Probably jeans.

Atlantic Dawn

Addle wrote: »

But can you appear to be too serious for a job as a general operative?

The advantage of the suit is your not going to be underdressed, nothing worse than turning up for an interview in slacks and a shirt and while waiting to be interviewed see all the other candidates wearing full suit with tie.

intheclouds

Suit!

Definitely a suit, surprised anyone would think otherwise.

Its a formal event, so you dress formally for it. It doesnt matter if the dress code on the factory floor is jeans and football jerseys, wear a suit to the interview.

Addle

Well wearing a suit will save him a shopping trip.
It just seems strange to him wearing the same thing that he wears to weddings to a job interview.
Thanks for all the replies.

Should he wear all three pieces?
The waistcoat is flattering on him.

Jimbob1977

Addle wrote: »

Well wearing a suit will save him a shopping trip.
It just seems strange to him wearing the same thing that he wears to weddings to a job interview.
Thanks for all the replies.

Should he wear all three pieces?
The waistcoat is flattering on him.

Waistcoats are rare in a work setting.... usually old school legal profession

Trousers, shirt, tie, jacket, shoes

intheclouds

Addle wrote: »

Well wearing a suit will save him a shopping trip.
It just seems strange to him wearing the same thing that he wears to weddings to a job interview.
Thanks for all the replies.

Should he wear all three pieces?
The waistcoat is flattering on him.

Oh yes, if he has a flattering suit so much the better.

Not only will he look wonderful, he will probably exude confidence knowing that he looks good.

The only way you can be overdressed for an interview would be to turn up in black or white tie.

Id advise he keep the suit as business looking as he can, use a muted shirt and tie combo.

Jimbob1977

intheclouds wrote: »

Oh yes, if he has a flattering suit so much the better.

Not only will he look wonderful, he will probably exude confidence knowing that he looks good.

The only way you can be overdressed for an interview would be to turn up in black or white tie.

Id advise he keep the suit as business looking as he can, use a muted shirt and tie combo.

How about a white suit.... like the Man from Del Monte or Fantasy Island? That would be class.

Only kidding.... sober black or navy suit

intheclouds

Jimbob1977 wrote: »

How about a white suit.... like the Man from Del Monte or Fantasy Island? That would be class.

Only kidding.... sober black or navy suit

I was actually thinking his wedding suit might be a bit flash - it does really depend on the suit. And the man, would you turn the man from del monte down??

The_Pete_Fella

unless he is being brought straight in for a trial then yes a suit with a solid colored shirt (personal pref: white) and a plain solid colored tie.
Also clean shaven, even if he is going to never shave again while he is working there.
another point would be to forget about any of the usual wedding accessories like pocket squares or tie bars.
shoes do not have to be fancy but must be clean/polished.
I wouldn't recommend the full three piece waist coats have there place but not in an interview.

Addle

The_Pete_Fella wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend the full three piece waist coats have there place but not in an interview.

The waist coat disguises his belly a bit.

Before asking, I'd have thought smart trousers, shirt and jumper would've been ok.

Addle

He'll be very nervous. Don't think he'll be comfortable whatever he wears.
Great worker, but not a great interviewee.
He needs any advantage he can get.

I hope to have an interview myself soon and wouldn't not wear a suit, but the roles are so different.

_Brian

Suit is OTT for these interviews.
Nice dress trousers and shirt, no tie, good shoes.

TBH unless the job itself entails wearing formal clothing or a suit I just don't think it's necessary. I've been interviewing in manufacturing/engineering for maybe 12 years and never impressed by a suit, confident capable candidates always shine through. I don't condone dressing down, that shows disregard for the process so no jeans and tshirts.

gmonov1

I work for a big multinational company that I won't name here but we always tell candidates to dress smart casual for an interview. The individual should try to shine through by themselves and not have to rely on a fancy suit to impress for them.
Slacks, shirt and jumper will more than suffice.

mcginty28

short skirt

Del2005

Addle wrote: »

It just seems strange to him wearing the same thing that he wears to weddings to a job interview.

Both are formal occasions, only difference is that putting the tie around your head after a feed of pints wouldn't go down well in an interview.

hunted

this: sheepthrill/mouse+nor+ram-A29389353

2011

I agree, a suit would be completely OTT.

sdanseo

I've always worn a suit to an interview. It's a display of courtesy and formality - and you can't really go wrong.

No employer is going to think "oh look, this lad went to the effort of wearing a suit, what a pretender" and tear up your CV because of it.

2011

sdanseo wrote: »

I've always worn a suit to an interview. It's a display of courtesy and formality - and you can't really go wrong.

In general I think these days are long gone.
There are a few exceptions, but not many.