Interviews - suit/tie or otherwise?

[northernladyuk]

Thank you but what I did say was..



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

Remember that time I told you to wear a suit and tie on your birthday to an interview and you got all muddled?

[vetran]

Remember that time I told you to wear a suit and tie on your birthday to an interview and you got all muddled?

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to northernladyuk again.

[SueEllen]

Remember that time I told you to wear a suit and tie on your birthday to an interview and you got all muddled?

I remember watching that episode.

[woohoo]

That's one image I can't unsee.

[billybiro]

Thank you but what I did say was..
I meant turn up in a suit to interview. I then qualified wearing a suit wasn't the best idea.

Yes, however, I still assert that turning up for an interview in a suit to a company that actively dresses in a far more informal manner can negatively impact your chances of landing the gig.

Sure, if you absolutely don't know the client's dress code, err on the side of more formal. Go for the suit, tie and jacket. You can always take off the jacket and tie to look slightly less formal. That said, there's no real reason why you can't find out in advance what the expected dress code is and adhere to that. Again, I have been in situations where I've heard the remarks from informal company interviewers after the interview when the suited contractor has been shown the door, which essentially suggested that, despite the technical ability of the candidate, they wouldn't offer them the gig for "being too corporate" and that they "wouldn't gel with the team" due to the cultural differences implied by the differing styles of dress.

Thank you

And I love you too.

[northernladuk]

Yes, however, I still assert that turning up for an interview in a suit to a company that actively dresses in a far more informal manner can negatively impact your chances of landing the gig.

Sure, if you absolutely don't know the client's dress code, err on the side of more formal. Go for the suit, tie and jacket. You can always take off the jacket and tie to look slightly less formal. That said, there's no real reason why you can't find out in advance what the expected dress code is and adhere to that. Again, I have been in situations where I've heard the remarks from informal company interviewers after the interview when the suited contractor has been shown the door, which essentially suggested that, despite the technical ability of the candidate, they wouldn't offer them the gig for "being too corporate" and that they "wouldn't gel with the team" due to the cultural differences implied by the differing styles of dress.



And I love you too.

Ah OK. Well we will disagree. Just because they are dress down doesn't mean they don't respect a suit for formal meetings. It's the office culture which has a relaxed dress code. It doesn't mean everyone in that office is a suit hater. Dress code for interviews is formal and smart regardless of the culture for working in. They are very different situations IMO.

[OwlHoot]

Yes, however, I still assert that turning up for an interview in a suit to a company that actively dresses in a far more informal manner can negatively impact your chances of landing the gig. ...

Absolutely. At a web development shop, for example, where everyone is about 16, an interviewee turning up all togged out like a pox doctor's clerk in a whistle and tie is almost guaranteed not to get the gig, unless they take off their jacket and tie pretty sharpish, preferably in the interview at the start!

[matei]

Don't wear a red tie. You ain't Tony Blair.

Ha ha - to be fair I did push the boat out and wear a blue one on the next interview.

[sal]

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

This is what i do. Suit + tie for starters, I also go to the site 10-15min earlier and stroll around the area if i'm not familiar with it. If I can see ClientCo personnel walking in and out of the office and they aren't dressed formal I usually pocket the tie and take off my jacket during the interview.

When i get the role always match the local dress code, which is sometimes hard as the current ClientCo has plenty of people with shorts and flip-flops (no vests thank god) in the summer. A bit more bearable during the winter months, but there is still one individual walking around in sandals barefoot.

[MrMarkyMark]

This is what i do. Suit + tie for starters, I also go to the site 10-15min earlier and stroll around the area if i'm not familiar with it. If I can see ClientCo personnel walking in and out of the office and they aren't dressed formal I usually pocket the tie and take off my jacket during the interview.

When i get the role always match the local dress code, which is sometimes hard as the current ClientCo has plenty of people with shorts and flip-flops (no vests thank god) in the summer. A bit more bearable during the winter months, but there is still one individual walking around in sandals barefoot.