Interviews - suit/tie or otherwise?

[LondonManc]

Oh I did guess, I am impressed with the speed you found that giff, or is it one you keep handy?

It's been waiting for a while to be used.

[RonBW]

basic M&S business suit for when the Client is about

Basic S&M outfit for when the client isn't about.

[vetran]

Basic S&M outfit for when the client isn't about.

Knowing Halo its an advanced S&M outfit.

[Halo Jones]

Knowing Halo its an advanced S&M outfit.

no comment

[billybiro]

Depends on what you do and the clients culture

Despite disagreements with NLUK in another thread, he has it absolutely spot on here. Except that he says wearing a suit at an informally dressed company doesn't hurt, but it really can.

You need to find out what the general accepted office dress code is for the client and then match your dress to that, maybe just one notch "smarter" than the usual, but no more.

If you rock up in jeans & t-shirt at a very traditional, staid financial company in the city, it's going to negatively impact your chances to getting the gig.

However, it works the other way, too. If you turn up to some modern, laid-back startup with a ping-pong table and multi-coloured beanbags and staffed full of 20 somethings, in your best suit & tie, there's a good chance that they're going to think of you as far too "corporate" for their culture, which will also negatively impact your chances. I have personally known colleagues who have been dismissed as a candidate because they over dressed for the interview.

Regarding office dress, you have to be like a chameleon.

[PurpleGorilla]

Despite disagreements with NLUK in another thread, he has it absolutely spot on here.

You need to find out what the general accepted office dress code is for the client and then match your dress to that, maybe just one notch "smarter" than the usual, but no more.

Sure, if you rock up in jeans & t-shirt at a very traditional, staid financial company in the city, it's going to negatively impact your chances to getting the gig. However, it works the other way, too. If you turn up to some modern, laid-back startup with a ping-pong table and multi-coloured beanbags and staffed full of 20 somethings, in your best suit & tie, they're going to think of you as far too "corporate" for their culture, which will also negatively impact your chances.

Regarding office dress, you have to be like a chameleon.

If you appear overdressed - ditch the tie before you start, and take off your jacket.

[The_Equalizer]

Despite disagreements with NLUK in another thread, he has it absolutely spot on here. Except that he says wearing a suit at an informally dressed company doesn't hurt, but it really can.

You need to find out what the general accepted office dress code is for the client and then match your dress to that, maybe just one notch "smarter" than the usual, but no more.

If you rock up in jeans & t-shirt at a very traditional, staid financial company in the city, it's going to negatively impact your chances to getting the gig.

However, it works the other way, too. If you turn up to some modern, laid-back startup with a ping-pong table and multi-coloured beanbags and staffed full of 20 somethings, in your best suit & tie, there's a good chance that they're going to think of you as far too "corporate" for their culture, which will also negatively impact your chances. I have personally known colleagues who have been dismissed as a candidate because they over dressed for the interview.

Regarding office dress, you have to be like a chameleon.

Still the law of averages says suit wins. If you're certain about a firm's dress code, then of course tone it down a bit.

[woohoo]

It's all about communication.

I tend to call up the company and tell em that I'm going to be wearing jeans, t-shirt and a jacket for the interview. I then advise them to wear something casual and don't go to any trouble for me. Sometimes if I've had a late night on the town I will get in touch and tell them to have strong coffee ready for when I arrive.

If the company shows initiative and has a bacon butty ready for me, then lets just say when it comes down to my decision it could edge it in their favor.

You are interviewing them, that's my attitude.

[MrMarkyMark]

Sometimes you might not wish to let the current client know you are interviewing.

Before, I have let the interviewer know I will be dressed smart casual at the interview due to this fact.
This was for an IB in Canary Wharf and I got the role

[northernladuk]

Despite disagreements with NLUK in another thread, he has it absolutely spot on here. Except that he says wearing a suit at an informally dressed company doesn't hurt, but it really can.

Thank you but what I did say was..

If the client is very dress down it still doesn't do any harm. Just because they dress down it doesn't mean they don't respect you turning up in a suit. If you get the gig then wearing a suit in a dress down office isn't the best idea. Gotta fit in and not alienate yourself. I did that at a client when I started contracting and they called me 'the suit'. Jokingly but I should have know better.

I meant turn up in a suit to interview. I then qualified wearing a suit wasn't the best idea.