Get interviews but not job.. any tips?

[NickFitz]

Re. straight laced, I'm wearing a very conservative grey suit to digital agency interviews, should I invest in a suit that's slightly funkier? Usually I say it doesn't matter, but not so sure with some of the interviewers I've had.

It's possible you could put them off you if you look too conservative (small "c", not talking politics )

In my longer-term experience people are happy to accept that you wear a suit as a sign of respect for the context of the meeting, but in the new media world things are changing rapidly - the last time I wore a suit to an interview was about three years ago, and none of the interviewers were suited (this was at a major commercial broadcaster).

Since then my only interviews have been at Yahoo!: checking by email a few days before the interview I was told "Don't bother wearing a suit - none of us will be wearing one, and you might feel a bit out of place." Then there was one at the same broadcaster but at their London offices... but that was a bit weird, as it was ex-Yahoo! and other people I already knew interviewing me, so I just turned up in the t-shirt and jeans I wore to work at Y!.

I know a number of younger people (I'm in my forties, they're in their twenties or early thirties) who are running successful digital agencies, and I can see them thinking that somebody in a conservative suit would lack the dynamism they're looking for - it's prejudice, but in a weird non-traditional form

I'd suggest you try what I did, if you can - email or phone them before the interview asking them if they expect you to be suited and booted. I've overheard somebody in the office saying to a candidate on the phone "No, don't bother - this is a media company, wear what you like."

Although a zingy suit, with no prior warning, might work even better - no need to dress like Russell Brand, but just enough that they don't mistake you for their Dad's accountant.

HTH

[northernrampage]

Assuming you are northern, can you send me a PM - I have details of a decent agency that I have worked through who may be looking for a PM.

Hello,

I am about to move back to the north-east.. but currently in London... for some reason I can't post you a PM though, not sure if it's because I am a newbie.. but will ask for advice about getting jobs up north on another thread perhaps.. thanks for offer though