Job Interview Appearance?

Jonny Arson

Hey, I looking for some advice on what to wear for a job interview or interviews I may have within the next couple of weeks.

I know for traditional big office jobs the suit and all that lark should be brought out but I'm uncertain about what appearance would be suitbale for an interview for a part-time job for a retail store/shop.

The thing is I wouldn't want to underdress but I wouldn't want to overdress either. IMO the first impressions are vital and I'm very uncertain about how I should dress.

What would you advise for appearance for a bloke at an interview for a part time job in a store?

Would you say dress like the way the people who work there (ie. casual but not messy) or would you say no matter what job it is wear a shirt/tie/slacks etc?

Stark

I'd wear a suit for any full-time job regardless of what advice I get. You could be told casual/business casual whatever but if every other applicant but you ignored that, you'd look a right eejit. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed. I usually just take off my suit jacket if I find the interviewer is dressed casually when I meet them.

You're a lot safer with part-time work though, and a shirt/nice pants should suffice I'd say. The important thing is to wear something that you'll feel relaxed and at ease in. A suit could make you feel stiff and nervous.

Attol

Dress like the staff do. I recently started work at a videogame store and to the interview wore jeans, Uggs, a Paul Frank t-shirt and a fluorescent pink belt. They're looking for a certain kind of person usually and that tends to be the kind of person that they've already hired. I was told some middle aged guy turned up in open toed sandals and shorts. That did not impress the interviewers at all. I doubt a suit would have either. For places like clothes shops aimed at young people, video game stores and anything else like that you should go for a casual look without being sloppy. Be friendly, relaxed and let them know you work hard but are a good laugh too.

I've never had to turn up to an interview which involved a suit of any description so I won't comment on that.

Rb

LadyLotts wrote:

Dress like the staff do.

That's good advice.
Are they clothes stores you're doing the interviews for?
When I was going for the interview for the clothes store I work in now, I just wore jeans and a nice t-shirt.A good tip though would be to go into the store and have a look around, if you don't already have clothes from the store then buy some to wear for the interview.
For the interview I had to know stuff about the clothes they stocked too and had to give my opinion on what brands I thought had produced nice stuff for the season, as well as the brands I thought had put out a crap line for that season so make sure you have a look around and made mental notes about what you like and dislike etc.

For a store like Spar I wouldn't worry about what you turn up in for the interview, I worked in a Spar and went for the interview in jeans and a hoodie and got the job immediately.
That kind of goes for any store that you've to wear a uniform for.

Jonny Arson

Thanks a million guys that was really helpful. My mind is more at rest now.

dundalk cailin

good luck with interview/s

besty

For a part time job I'd recommend chinos, shoes and a jumper. I agree about the importance of the 1st impressions in an interview.

good luck

ferdi

i have never not worn a suit to an interview.

peterl

I interview applicants for various positions regulary and I always think a shirt AND tie make a statement that the candidate is serious and has gone to the trouble of presenting themselves appropriately for interview.