Is a suit necessary for interview

jordata

I am looking for some advice on what to wear to a job interview. I am going back to work after more than 2 years off to look after a family member. I have an interview at the end of the month in an IT services company. The role I am being interviewed for is a technical support role but is not customer facing. I have been advised (by someone who works in HR but not in the same company) to wear a suit. I actually don’t have a suit that fits me anymore and I would feel more comfortable in a smart shirt and pants, especially if this hot weather lasts a few weeks.
The company is local to where I live in Cork and I know one of the interviewers (though not well).
I could buy a suit but, to be honest, I would never wear it again and the reason I am going back to work is because I am skint.
What do you think? Is a suit necessary?
BTW, I am well over 30 and had a successful career of 15+ years before my career break. Will this make up for the lack of a suit?

astec123

Whats the company? It depends on the company really but dressing smart will push you more to get the job, but also consider renting one. There are a few places that do this.

AARRRGH

Always wear a suit. The worst that can happen is they think it's cute.

Not wearing a suit is generally a desperately bad idea.

Tom Dunne

I agree with Dublindue - I have done a number of interviews over the past few weeks and I had to beg, borrow and steal everything apart from the underwear

First impressions and all that.

RicardoSmith

I'd say a suit or very very very smart casual. Tie shirt slacks, and jacket.

cormie

If you're going to work on a building site they don't really want you wearing a suit, they'd probably laugh at you and your whole time spent on the site would be full of banter about you wearing a suit for your interview. Adapt to your surroundings and all that. I wouldn't wear a suit for an interview in HMV or anything either.

There are very few jobs I would wear a suit for actually. Infact, I can't really think of any. Maybe that's just my age though

jordata

Sorry, gender clarification. I am female, if that matters. The shirt and pants comment might have thrown you.

Can females get away without the dreaded suit? I can't think of anyone I can borrow one from that will fit well. I think an ill-fitting suit is dreadful.

cormie

Just wear some trousers, shoes and a shirt then:)



Smart Casual would be fine I'd say.

ajmurphy62

no jeans, definitally a no no. black shoes smart black trousers and maybe a short sleeve blouse, preferably not a colour that is way to bright like Yellow or Green, but not to dull like grey. White may be ur best bet.and only a little bit of jewelery. Studs and one ring if possible. dont go to heavy with the make-up and wear ur hair down brushed very neatly.

LOL, thats a lot. or u could always go in in fancy dress.

cormie

make sure whatever you do you feel comfortable. If you don't like your hair down and brushed and if it doesn't suit you, then don't wear it that way, present yourself in whatever way you want to portray yourself.

Gadgie

Personally I'd only wear a suit for an interview if that was the attire I'd be expected to wear when I worked there (eg. in a bank or similar). Why not hang about outside the place at clocking-off time to see what other people are wearing.

If you really think you should wear a suit, could you hire one from somewhere?

Definitely dress smart though. White blouse, black skirt/trousers - that sort of thing.

Good luck!

Lump

Pffff, that's bad advice. I never wear a suit in work, but I would never consider not wearing one coming to the interview for this job.

John

esperanza

I would advise you not to wear a black suit. It's too strong. Prefer, grey, navy or burgundy. Wear a smart white shirt.

You can pick up a jacket and trousers quite cheaply in Penneys or Dunnes, I should think. The suit doesn't have to be top quality. For the white shirt, make sure it's of a relatively good quality and not too tight-fitting.

Also worth trying are charity shops. You can do without the jacket.

Wear smart black polished shoes and carry a clean, smart bag/briefcase.

Oh, good luck btw!

chump

Go for trousers, shirt + tie... shure you'd rarely wear the jacket anyway, esp. during the summer.

best o luck

BuffyBot

Go for trousers, shirt + tie

Will look lovely on the poor girl, I'm sure!

AARRRGH

Why take a risk by NOT wearing a suit? Totally not worth it in my opinion.

Lump

So it's not worth it to look smart for a few hours, for a job that you'd really like to do.

I've spoken to people who've done interviews and have not hired people because of their apperance.

John

chump

Ah girl, ah yes.

Well then, definetely a suit

Civilian_Target

Strange - as a guy, going to an interview for a non-client facing IT industry job I'd wear a coloured shirt, trousers and tie, and a well-polished pair of black shoes. Suits are for the winter, people with clients, and accountants IMHO.

cormie

cormie wrote:

So nobody would hire her? Do you think that attire isn't suitable Lump?

Eoin

Lump wrote:

So it's not worth it to look smart for a few hours, for a job that you'd really like to do.

I've spoken to people who've done interviews and have not hired people because of their apperance.

John

I couldn't agree more - I don't understand men applying for a "white collar" job who wouldn't take the time to wear a suit to an interview.

However, as the OP is female then she should be OK with "smart casual" - slacks & shirt (and probably a suitable jacket). There are definitely double standards when it comes to dress codes for men & women. Even in most companies where the men must wear suits, women tend to get away without a suit. When a bloke isn't wearing a suit it is quite obvious, but the distinction isn't as great with womens clothing. But maybe that's because I have absolutely no sense of fashion whatsoever.

fizzy

you will be fine with black trousers and a nice shirt/blouse. that's what i tend to wear and touch wood i normally get the job. girls can get away without going the whole hog without it looking at all unusual. sure if you were warm you would take the jacket off anyway...

having said that, i have borrowed a black jacket from my sister on a couple of occasions (so it looks like a suit but isn't!) and it certainly lifts my outfit to a whole new level when i put it on. these days, i would tend to bring that with me and if it is a very smart place keep it on and if it is a bit more casual, take it off - win win situation!

ignore the advice about dressing how you would dress when you work there cos it's rubbish as far as any office situation goes! *everyone* dolls up for interviews and it *is* expected. it is ridiculous but i have worked places where everyone can wear jeans or whatever they like really but on interview day, the interviewer dons a suit to welcome the suited and booted candidates - that's just the way it is!

good luck