Today's interview dress codes

Tony EH

I've been thinking of throwing a CV around a few places and seeing what happens. But one of the things I'm a bit cloudy about is the dress code for interviews for guys. Girls can throw on what they want, within reason and there's a lot more options for them. But, it's been years since I had a proper interview and [oldman]back in my day[/oldman] you suited up when you went to one, regardless of what it was for.

Things seem to be changing though. I've interviewed people myself and some guys would come in very casual indeed. Jeans, etc. Personally, I didn't care what they wore. I was interested more in what they knew and their attitude.

Also, I've seen other interviewees for the companies we share offices with and people show up in all sorts. I saw one lad rock and roll in for an interview with a long scruffy hipster beard, blue jeans and doc martins. :cool:

I've discussed it with a few mates too - men and women - and they seem to think that the days of going to an interview with a suit on is a thing of the past. Folk younger than I seem to believe this also.

I have to admit I'm a bit lost and it certainly isn't what I thought I'd be worrying about. I've been thinking maybe dark black jeans/slacks, shoes and a black/white shirt? Would that suffice?

Nervous Wreck

I think a suit is probably overkill but if someone shows up for an interview with me and they're not wearing a shirt & tie, I'm probably going to hold that against them tbh. Now, I interview for office work so it's obviously going to be different to someone who's interviewing for a record store etc. but I'm of the opinion that if a person doesn't put the minimal effort of dressing well for an important interview, I just don't have confidence that they'll put in the requisite effort to do their job well.

FizzleSticks

This post has been deleted.

TimeToShine

Suit for interview. Always. Not necessarily the jacket too but slacks, shirt and tie are a must.

Miaireland

At the very least smart trousers, shirt, tie and maybe a blazer. Depending on the industry a suit. Jeans have no place in an interview imo.

FloatingVoter

I did a civil service interview on Friday morning for promotion ... suited and booted for the lads. The first half hour of the my day was spent on YouTube videos of "How to tie a tie". Check it out now you're not under pressure.
One lady showed up in red 3 inch heels, which is great on a catwalk, dangerous on Abbey Street. We should have swapped clothes.
The day when we all wear bin bags or go naked to these things can't come soon enough.

ProudDUB

I think it's better to err on the side of caution. If you are not 100% sure of what the interviewer/company considers acceptable interview attire (and how could you really, if you don't work there) then wear a suit. You may wind up being over dressed, compared to the other applicants, but so what? A company is not going to decide against hiring you, just because you dressed too formally for the interview. But if you are dressed too casually in the eyes of the interviewer, then that could go against you. You may think you are dressed appropriately, but a pair of chinos and a shirt and tie, may not be formal enough in their eyes. As another poster above mentioned, if you treat your interview attire casually, what else will you treat casually, in their eyes? Why take the risk?

hooplah

Wear a suit. I'd hold it against you if you didn't. In the worst case you'll be a little overdressed which doesn't have a downside.

sdanseo

Wear a suit to an interview. It's that simple.

LollipopJimmy

sdanseo wrote: »

Wear a suit to an interview. It's that simple.

It really is... although a few of the newer tech companies will hold it against you. I've turned people away from interviews for turning up in jeans though, if you can't be bothered to smarten up for the interview I won't be bothering to interview you. I have a standard mail that goes out stating the dress code

jester77

Depends on what you are applying for. I interview a lot of candidates for IT positions, can't remember the last time someone wore a suit. To be honest, if someone walked in wearing a suit I would be a little suspicious of them, smells of trying too hard or compensating for something.

Nervous Wreck

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

It really is... although a few of the newer tech companies will hold it against you.

I don't think that's true. While the likes of google et al do everything a lot more casual, they're still not gonna go "this guy makes too much of an effort; lets go with the other guy".

Phoebas

Tony EH wrote: »

I've discussed it with a few mates too - men and women - and they seem to think that the days of going to an interview with a suit on is a thing of the past. Folk younger than I seem to believe this also.

The thing to remember is that it doesn't matter what you or I or your mates or what young people think. But it does matter what the interviewer thinks.

You're unlikely to come across an interviewer who will penalise you for wearing a suit, so why take the risk.

ProudDUB

Mr.S wrote: »

A recruiter for google will tell you not to wear a suit. You could still wear one I suppose.

But you have a point, wearing a suit will probably not harm you (although I have heard in other tech firms over dressing for interviews can affect your "culture fit") - case by case situation really, as I said - dress smart and you'll be fine!

The interviewer has the entire interview to find out whether or not the interviewee will fit in with the culture of the company. Dressing smart can mean different things to different people. A suit is a suit is a suit.


Perhaps if the OP gave an indication of what sector he is working in, posters can give better informed opinions on the proper interview dress code. An interview for a bank manager, a hipster tech start up, a building site site foreman, a gym manager and a call centre operative, would probably get a variety of applicants, wearing a variety of acceptable clothing. It's hard to give "one size fits all" advice for every single profession out there.

FloatingVoter

A suit is handy for any of the above. Lose the tie and wear the shirt loose over a pair of chinos (concealed in a rucksack) if it turns out you're overdressed.
Or else just say you've a funeral to attend afterwards / that you were indeed innocent and the judge was sound out.

skallywag

The safest option is certainly wearing a suit.

I've never come across anyone (including in Tech) who would look negatively on this, but certainly have come across some who would not be impressed with what they perceive to be a candidate who could not be bothered to make an effort.

off.the.walls

The one bit of advice I always got for interviews was look clean + look smart, even if you're just interviewing for an entry level position putting in the effort of putting on a good suit and cleaning yourself up a bit for it shows a little more respect for the company and show's that you've put some effort into the interview.

I'd wear a suit always for an interview.......... I work as a consultant in companies ranging from biopharma to financial services.

I've never looked for work in the googles or similar where cons & jeans are the default uniform but if I did and I was told or felt a suit was overkill for an interview I'd wear a nice shirt, jacket and chinos with smart shoes.

I'd be surprised if the cons, beards and jeans brigade didn't scrub up for interviews tbh.

Mint Sauce

Suit, always a suit, and IRONED white shirt. If it says smart casual, or you think smart casual is appropriate, go with out the tie.

Triceratops Ballet

Augeo wrote:

I'd be surprised if the cons, beards and jeans brigade didn't scrub up for interviews tbh.

I interview them, trust me, they don't!

I always tell candidates coming in to meet our team, that we're more casual and a suit isn't necessary, but obviously if they have to go back to work in a more formal environment after interview then a suit is fine. I usually clarify with them if that is the case so I can tell the other interviewers because they do tend towards thinking a bloke in a suit wont fit in with us! (Ridiculous I know)

Tldr: op when u get called for interview ask about the dress code if its not obvious, it's not a weird question, people ask all the time

Pivot Eoin

Worn jeans to every interview for my last 3 jobs in Online Advertising Industry (Got offers from them all). I know what people wear in every day, nice jeans, well groomed, nice shirt and boots/shoes has been fine. - TBH I refuse to work anywhere that wouldnt let me dress that way anyway, and I know for the most part, the person who would be interviewing me would be wearing similar.

You couldn't take this approach in banking HQs etc. really depends on where you're going honestly.

hooplah

hooplah wrote: »

Wear a suit. I'd hold it against you if you didn't. In the worst case you'll be a little overdressed which doesn't have a downside.

Actually now that I think of it I know someone in tech / academia who said he would be suspicious of someone in a suit. The same guy would often wear shoes, chinos and a jacket so I guess it's an industry / culture thing.

I still think a suit is a safe default. If you're worried you could do worse than make a couple of casual inquiries to people in the same industry.

Lux23

If I was bloke I would always wear a suit regardless. I don't think you can really overdress for an interview. You might want to dress down if you're asked in for a more informal second round interview but my advice would be to err on the side of caution.

Nervous Wreck

Mr.S wrote: »

A recruiter for google will tell you not to wear a suit. You could still wear one I suppose.

But you have a point, wearing a suit will probably not harm you (although I have heard in other tech firms over dressing for interviews can affect your "culture fit") - case by case situation really, as I said - dress smart and you'll be fine!

Ah, well if they tell you specifically not to wear a suit, you'd be a lunatic to ignore that and I'd totally get the 'culture fit' thing in that case!

Phoebas

I interview quite a bit for tech roles, and for mid level or senior people, I wouldn't necessarily be looking for them to be wearing a suit - for one, they're often coming in to see me before or after work or on lunch break, so wearing a suit may not be practical.

If a candidate for an entry level role arrived in in casual gear, I'd view that negatively.

skallywag

Phoebas wrote: »

for one, they're often coming in to see me before or after work or on lunch break, so wearing a suit may not be practical

Very valid point there. Coming into work in a suit when one is normally wearing Jeans and T-shirts etc. is clearly going to set alarm bells ringing with your current employer.

Lux23

skallywag wrote: »

Very valid point there. Coming into work in a suit when one is normally wearing Jeans and T-shirts etc. is clearly going to set alarm bells ringing with your current employer.

Change or book the whole day off if it is that much of an issue.

skallywag

Lux23 wrote: »

Change or book the whole day off if it is that much of an issue.

Perhaps valid for a junior role, but in the case of recruiting more senior positions I will certainly go out of my way to match the timetable of the candidate. That said, I've had quite a few candidates who gave me a heads-up beforehand that they would be coming casually, which I thought was a nice touch.

MySandwich

Not always feasible though, especially if you only get 20 days a year or are interviewing in a number of places