Interviews and the wearing of suits

runswithascript · 23-07-2010 01:28PM #1

I wore a three piece suit to the interview of my last IT position 2 years ago and everything went well, but of the other candidates I saw that day no other was wearing a suit and only one other was dressed more formal than casual.

Anyway, I've an interview for another IT position next week, I'm uncomfortable in the suit, and I'm hoping someone here can tell me it wouldn't really matter if I instead wore a pair of boots, jeans and a nice shirt?

M.J.M.C · 23-07-2010 01:30PM

Suit up! !

First impressions and all that. If you have a suit, use it.

Wouldn't go out just to buy one for an interview but any IT interviews I have done, I have wore a suit.

23-07-2010 01:56PM

I would always wear a suit/formal wear to anything but the most casual of interviews (as in for festival work/bar job). Back before things got so bad, I always used to get complimented on my appearance/presentation by recruiters and I could never understand why, until I saw people turning up for interviews in jeans and casual dresses, and then wondering why they didn't get the job. IMO you can't go wrong with dressing formally. Better overdressed than underdressed in most cases.

john.r · 23-07-2010 01:59PM

[quote=[Deleted User];67078879]I would always wear a suit/formal wear to anything but the most casual of interviews (as in for festival work/bar job). Back before things got so bad, I always used to get complimented on my appearance/presentation by recruiters and I could never understand why, until I saw people turning up for interviews in jeans and casual dresses, and then wondering why they didn't get the job. IMO you can't go wrong with dressing formally. Better overdressed than underdressed in most cases.[/QUOTE]

Agreed best to put the best foot forward.

helimachoptor · 23-07-2010 02:00PM

Always a suit

blondie83 · 23-07-2010 02:40PM

Go with the suit - always gives a good impression in an interview! You mightn't need a full three piece, but wear the jacket and trousers with a nice shirt and matching tie. If other people dress informally thats a good thing, sure helps you stand out and be remembered!

dan_d · 23-07-2010 03:53PM

Wear the suit...you're better off to be looking at it than for it.

Faith+1 · 24-07-2010 12:02AM

I always wear a 3 piece suit! Believe me Recruiters love em!

Denerick · 24-07-2010 05:01PM

I just wear trousers, shoes, nice shirt and tie. Is this formal enough? I don't own a suit...

D.McC · 24-07-2010 08:03PM

Suit!

I work in an environment where the standards of dress are quite high. I’ve loss count of the amount of times I’ve had candidates arrive wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and no matter how qualified they were, they never got the job.

On a side note, how often has anyone got to an interview where the interviewer is dressed more casually than the candidate.

Faith+1 · 24-07-2010 08:31PM

D.McC wrote: »

On a side note, how often has anyone got to an interview where the interviewer is dressed more casually than the candidate.

I think every interview I've ever had the interviewer was dressed more casually than me. :rolleyes:

shoegirl · 25-07-2010 12:27AM

LA3G wrote: »

I wore a three piece suit to the interview of my last IT position 2 years ago and everything went well,

2 years ago was very different to now. Don't let yourself down - not wearing a suit just comes across as unprofessional. I know a guy who hates suits with a passion so he brings one with him, changes somewhere beforehand and immediately afterwards. It doesn't hurt.

D.McC · 25-07-2010 02:21AM

Faith+1 wrote: »

I think every interview I've ever had the interviewer was dressed more casually than me. :rolleyes:

But they're not the one trying to make an impression

.

But seriously, wearing a suit is business like and professional. If I attended an interview or business meeting, I would be disappointed if the other person decided to turn up wearing casual clothing.

Faith+1 · 25-07-2010 10:25PM

D.McC wrote: »

But seriously, wearing a suit is business like and professional. If I attended an interview or business meeting, I would be disappointed if the other person decided to turn up wearing casual clothing.

I remember a few years back the interviewer thanked me for wearing a suit and taking the interview serioiusly. He said the amout of people that wore jeans and a check shirt amazed him. He even had one guy turn up in a tracksuit! Still didn't get the job in the end though, someone had more experience. What's new, huh?:rolleyes:

seamus · 26-07-2010 09:09AM

To the candidate, the interview should be one of their most important interactions with their potential new employer. If the candidate can't even make an effort for their interview, what will they be like if they start working there - turning up unshowered, in their pyjamas?

If you don't have a suit, then shirt tie and formal/business trousers are fine. But you can pick up a suit jacket anywhere for less than €50, provided it's the same colour as your trousers (can't go wrong with black!), you don't have to buy a whole new suit.

enda1 · 26-07-2010 09:14AM

OP, you said that for the last interview you did, you were the only candidate wearing a suit, and that you got the job. Can you read any possible hints into this?...

A three piece suit however I would find a bit over the top, but that depends on the industry I suppose.

26-07-2010 10:10AM

I just have an interview outfit that I wear to every interview. It's not even a proper suit - it's black trousers/black skirt, a plain white top and a black suit jacket, most of it from Penneys or New Look. It still looks smart. I hate formal work clothes but it's only a few hours, why not just make the effort? You can always crack out the jeans and shirts when you have the job if that's the acceptable dress code.

hmmm · 27-07-2010 09:05PM

A suit tells an interviewer you're serious about the job, even if the dress code for the job itself is casual. If you don't have a suit or can't afford a suit, wear the best clothes you have and a tie. Jeans are unacceptable for most interviews.

Unless you're applying for the role of French ambassador, the three piece suit is usually over the top.

Denerick · 27-07-2010 09:07PM

hmmm wrote: »

Three piece is usually over the top and will make you look a bit ridiculous if you're not applying for the role of French ambassador.

I lolled at that

Eoin · 27-07-2010 11:44PM

LA3G wrote: »

Anyway, I've an interview for another IT position next week, I'm uncomfortable in the suit, and I'm hoping someone here can tell me it wouldn't really matter if I instead wore a pair of boots, jeans and a nice shirt?

You might just get lucky, and it could be one of those companies that prides itself on being "really with it". But unless they specifically told you to turn up in jeans, then I think it would absolutely matter. There are still some IT companies out there who have a dress code, so you could find yourself considerably under-dressed.

Why people even think about not making the effort to wear a suit is beyond me.

Amandapanda801 · 28-07-2010 09:13AM

D.McC wrote: »

Suit!

I work in an environment where the standards of dress are quite high. I’ve loss count of the amount of times I’ve had candidates arrive wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and no matter how qualified they were, they never got the job.

On a side note, how often has anyone got to an interview where the interviewer is dressed more casually than the candidate.

This happened to me.. I went for an interview, actually this happened twice, and the interviewer was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants..Really?

doolox · 29-07-2010 11:34PM

As mentioned earlier if applying for a low grade starter and temporary and especially a manual job a suit may be counter-productive, However most jobs now require dressing up and there are very few manual jobs left in our "economy". Fake dress-up and shallow visual appearances rule and will get the job offers every time in our modern, fake, visual shallow world.

Go with it, wear the suit even if it kills your soul inside to do so.

Conform and obey.

piby · 30-07-2010 04:52PM

I'd always always wear a suit because I like wearing suits (although I'm still more comfortable in T-shirts and sweats

) but most importantly it's professional. There's rarely a downside. Consider the following two scenarios:

You turn up wearing a suit and everybody else is. You 'fit' in!
You turn up wearing a suit and others are in trackies or jeans. You look professional and seem to be taking it seriously. They look they couldn't be arsed!!
You turn up wearing jeans or trackies. Need I go on?!

orcanius. · 30-07-2010 05:43PM

Denerick wrote: »

I just wear trousers, shoes, nice shirt and tie. Is this formal enough? I don't own a suit...

What kind of a man are you?

i71jskz5xu42pb · 30-07-2010 05:54PM

As someone who does the recruiting for a software company, I say suit if you have it, shirt and tie otherwise. Shows you made an effort.

If you're really, really, off the scales talented there are companies (ourselves included) that would take you if you came to the interview wearing a tutu.

Denerick wrote: »

I just wear trousers, shoes, nice shirt and tie. Is this formal enough? I don't own a suit...

Yes, this would be fine.

robo · 31-07-2010 09:54AM

Faith+1 wrote: »

I think every interview I've ever had the interviewer was dressed more casually than me. :rolleyes:

Yep had one few years ago with 2 guys in jeans and t-shirt. I have always made an effort when interviewing people. It can out you off and no matter what job, I would recommend a suit.

31-07-2010 01:07PM

doolox wrote: »

As mentioned earlier if applying for a low grade starter and temporary and especially a manual job a suit may be counter-productive, However most jobs now require dressing up and there are very few manual jobs left in our "economy". Fake dress-up and shallow visual appearances rule and will get the job offers every time in our modern, fake, visual shallow world.

Go with it, wear the suit even if it kills your soul inside to do so.

Conform and obey.

Or perhaps making the effort to wear appropriate attire to an interview shows you're serious about the position. Turning up in jeans and a T-shirt says 'I couldn't even be bothered to dress up for this, I'm meeting Steve and Declan in the pub after and I don't want to go home and change first.' There is nothing fake and shallow about wearing a suit to an interview. It's just proper etiquette. The interviewer knows you don't dress like this all the time, nobody does. Are you one of those people who turns up to a wedding in dirty jeans and a baggy jumper because suits aren't comfortable?

i71jskz5xu42pb · 31-07-2010 01:15PM

Marco Quaint Registration wrote: »

Are you one of those people who turns up to a wedding in dirty jeans and a baggy jumper because suits aren't comfortable?

I doubt he goes to weddings. Probably to busy putting it to the system, sticking it to the maaaaaan. From his bedroom.

dvpower · 31-07-2010 09:15PM

Amandapanda801 wrote: »

This happened to me.. I went for an interview, actually this happened twice, and the interviewer was wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants..Really?

Interviewers can wear what they want; they aren't looking for a job, they already have one.

Eoin · 31-07-2010 10:35PM

They're not looking for a job, but they should be looking to attract the candidate to the company. Interviews are a two way thing.

Agent Smith · 01-08-2010 04:02PM

Suit up!

Amandapanda801 · 20-08-2010 07:58AM

dvpower wrote: »

Interviewers can wear what they want; they aren't looking for a job, they already have one.

Yea no seriously? That is a terrible answer to my statement. I feel like the company doesn't give a crap if they don't dress up when they are interviewing you.

peasant · 20-08-2010 08:33AM

Suits are all fine and dandy ...but only if it is a good suit.

IMO there is nothing worse than a shiny, crispy, charged full of static nylon suit that you just now came from the 49.99 rail at Pennys or from the bargain bin at Lidls.

If you don't own a suit, don't really need a suit or don't have the money for a decent suit ...don't buy cheap crap ...buy nice trousers and a decent shirt instead.

tHE vAGGABOND · 20-08-2010 12:12PM

Copy and paste of my post from similar thread on this page:

I have have been the interviewer many times in my current and previous job, for full time and part time roles..

And give me two identical candidates, with nothing to chose between them, I am picking the guy in the suit over the guy who looks like he slept in his clothes or is wearing his clobber from Saturday night every time.

As this lad said, it shows your taking things seriously, and interviewers love that.

As the candidate, you guys need to be thinking about what you can do to stand out from the crowd and get you the job over the other folks. This is one of those 'one percenters' as they say in sports commentry.

runswithascript · 21-08-2010 05:30PM

Wore the three piece, got the job :cool:

Eoin · 22-08-2010 12:41PM

LA3G wrote: »

Wore the three piece, got the job :cool:

Congrats

Interviews and the wearing of suits

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