Dress code

[TestMangler]

Yeah, I've decided to definitely wear a tie. It's not a shirt designed to be worn without a tie, so I agree, it would just look sloppy. But this will be the first interview I attend wearing an earring. I mean, it's really subtle, as I say it just about fits around my earlobe, but I really like it and frankly I wear it every day, so I'm not overly interested in taking it out for an interview.

Suit? Check.
Tie? Check.
Two day stubble? Check.
Wearing an earring? Check.
The only candidate in London for this role? Check.

Bases should be covered. Hopefully.

I always wear an earring and also have a small hoop in my eyebrow. Never caused me a problem, except at an interview for a consultancy co working at DWP. The bird interviewing me said as I got up to leave that the eyebrow piercing was 'cute and everything' but I'd have to take it out before attending their client site. Ended up telling them to stick the role for other (rate related) reasons. Other than that, it's never been a problem. So, put your tie on and put a big f*** off gold earing in for your meeting

[bobspud]

Yeah, I've decided to definitely wear a tie. It's not a shirt designed to be worn without a tie, so I agree, it would just look sloppy. But this will be the first interview I attend wearing an earring. I mean, it's really subtle, as I say it just about fits around my earlobe, but I really like it and frankly I wear it every day, so I'm not overly interested in taking it out for an interview.

Why don't you ask the agency if the consultancy that you are meeting is likely to moan about girlie piercings in men? Most of the big ones (Accenture types) wont like it. Might even cost you the job as a result, even with your unmatchable skills...

[northernladuk]

I always wear an earring and also have a small hoop in my eyebrow. Never caused me a problem, except when I go to a bar and all the men start hitting on me

FTFY

[Normie]

I'm a self confessed scruffy sod. Might manage to shave twice a week, haven't worn a tie for donkeys years (even though most of the people around me do). Currently wearing a cheap pair of black trousers from Sainsburys and a blue collared shirt from Matalan (I think). Probably stems from my 10 years as a permie in R&D - jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc, plus the fact that I'm lazy and bone idle

Thinking about it, I don't exactly have a lot of clothe s - 1 suit that I wear to weddings, funerals, etc, one pair of black shoes, one pair of brown shoes, a pair of trainers and walking boots. The rest of my wardrobe is mostly jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts (plus some black trousers and shirts that I wear to work). I defintely suffer from fashion poverty and, more importantly, lack of fashion sense.

[TestMangler]

FTFY

Well, It's always nice to get offers. All you have to do is politely turn them down

[perplexed]

I worked at certain large phone company which has a full dress down policy, or even a lack of a policy right up the chain. I mean it wasn't even decent. Summer tops with no bra's was manageable but trying to have a meeting with a young lad presenting dressed like a goth with his jeans halfway down his legs was taking it a bit too far. Always stayed in trousers and open next shirt despite being called 'the suit'. It seemed it didn't matter if you dressed up or right down so stayed in what I was comfortable in.

You wore a summer top with no bra? Pics or GTFO...

[kingcook]

Wow, what a big thread. Thanks for all the tips/pointers/advice/thoughts.

I'm going to invest in a pair of trousers (+ shirt) at the weekend. Mainly because my current pair of jeans are crushing my nuts a bit when i'm sitting around in them all day.

[escapeUK]

I'm a self confessed scruffy sod. Might manage to shave twice a week, haven't worn a tie for donkeys years (even though most of the people around me do). Currently wearing a cheap pair of black trousers from Sainsburys and a blue collared shirt from Matalan (I think). Probably stems from my 10 years as a permie in R&D - jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc, plus the fact that I'm lazy and bone idle

Scruffy = cheap in my book.

[GillsMan]

FWIW, I went to the "interview". Can't imagine earring was an issue. I wore a tie. Client didn't.

Offered the role, but there's a timing issue, i.e. they want me to start early, and I don't want to mess my current client around, even though they're doubling my money. One for another thread.

FWIW, I wear an earring everyday, so if I lost a role on the basis of that, I'm not too bothered. I'm not clean shaven either (always have 2-5 stubble), and if I lost a role because of that, I wouldn't mind either.

[malvolio]

Speaking as someone who is usually the other side of the desk at an interview, it's not about looking smart as much as it is about making the effort. Most interviews last around 15 seconds and take place between you coming through the door and sitting down. I already know your technical abilities or you wouldn't be there. Equally I don't really care what you look like at work as long as you do the job and don't frighten the tea ladies, but I will not hire someone who can't be arsed to tidy up for the interview, no matter what they are actually wearing.

But personally, Rule #3 always applies.