Reply to: Suit for interviews

[BR14]

Have you done questionable things?

nothing you'd understand mr smeg

[Old Greg]

i don't do suits any more.
most of my peers are dead or retired.
i only work when i get too bored, and need some extra wonga for nice things
what i look like is irrelevant to what i know, and have done.

Have you done questionable things?

[BR14]

i don't do suits any more.
most of my peers are dead or retired.
i only work when i get too bored, and need some extra wonga for nice things
what i look like is irrelevant to what i know, and have done.

[northernladuk]

Even Peter Jones on Dragons Den makes comment to prospects that don't make an effort in appearance, while he is sat there in kids socks.

Nothing wrong with his socks. I think they are great and also wear striped socks with a suit... but... not to an interview.

[simes]

Even Peter Jones on Dragons Den makes comment to prospects that don't make an effort in appearance, while he is sat there in kids socks.

He does. But this is one very specific example whereby those going into the den are aware of the dress code as set by the dragons, and thus it should be emulated.

Although above I have exemplified my media and telco based practice based upon experience, if I was ever to find myself going into the Den, then a suit (and brightly coloured socks) would be the standard.

[Hobosapien]

This is one area where the agent should know if first appearances are required to deviate from the norm, by way of either client telling them it matters that much or from earlier interviewee feedback.

So always suited unless the agent specifically mentions the client looks down on that as they are some hippy clappy upstart that are all about the ego.

Even if the client has a relaxed dress code and they themselves attend the interview in jeans and T shirt they may expect candidates to be suited appropriately, and those that turn up in casuals may be seen as being potential hard work if they think the rules don't apply to them as they are special.

Even Peter Jones on Dragons Den makes comment to prospects that don't make an effort in appearance, while he is sat there in kids socks.

[Amy Shrotersfield]

I haven't wore a suit for a long time, but then again I've not had a face to face interview for a while too.

No, that's true - don't think I've had a face to face in over 3 years though I had a skype video call for my current role so I dressed up for that; at least the top half of me - probably had sweat pants on down below.

[FrontEnder]

I don't think a suit is necessary for a lot of gigs and may give off a negative impression for some places. If you turn up at a design agency or start up that has a relaxed dress code, turning up in a suit might mark you out as a poor cultural fit, especially if your experience shows a string of Banks and Blue collar firms.

I haven't wore a suit for a long time, but then again I've not had a face to face interview for a while too.

Personally, I just ask the agent what the dress code in the office is like. If they say it's smart, I'd wear a suit, if not I wouldn't. In any case I'd make sure I was dressed well presented and smart. There's a lot of ways to do so without a suit.

[vwdan]

Get in after Vwdan and his Topman rags and the gig is yours.

If he's the first person to ever beat me in interview I'll be right upset!

[Old Greg]

You're going for a gig that could be with over a 100k a year man. It's got to be the best. Top names and top dollar or just don't bother going. If it's been custom made for you in Italy you've got to drop it in to the chat at interview. Deffo to be the differentiator that gets you the gig.

Get in after Vwdan and his Topman rags and the gig is yours.

Just don't spill spaghetti on it when flying back from the final fitting.

[northernladuk]

I think it can in certain circumstances.

I certainly wouldn't go in to a trendy graphics bureau dressed to the T for a start as I'm sure I'd come over somewhat L7.

Possibly true for situations like that. Over dressing can be as bad as under-dressing but doesn't take away from the fact that people are hard wired to make snap decisions in the first few seconds of introduction whatever they may themselves be more comfortable wearing. Plenty of research out there to back this up. Much more chance of it being an positive or at worst a neutral impressing by dressing smartly (factoring in what is appropriate for the industry as well I guess).

Obviously there is much more to it. The handshake, the initial greeting, the shoes even. The suit/jacket & trousers is only part of it.
Nothing worse than when people offer a handshake still sat down and then that handshake is some limp wristed wet fish affair. You've a mountain to climb already.

Pauldee makes a good point about the confidence and yes, offering gigs because of what you wear is really poor, but it's still a differentiator, like it or not.

[Cid]

wearing a nice suit and looking smart makes you feel good.
if you feel good then its going to help your come across well.

[pauldee]

What places are you interviewing at where they care what make your suit is? It's one thing to judge someone who isn't wearing a suit. You need to be pretty confident to decide not to wear what is seen as the universal standard interview attire. But to judge someone's IT skills based on their suit seems like a pretty poor recruitment policy.

[oliverson]

If you are one of the top in your field what you wear will not matter. If you are a average joe you need to distract them with how you appear so a decent suit might be worth it.

I wear 5 year old jeans and tulipty tshirt, always get the gig.

Don't you find them a bit tight? Still at least you avoid the VAT. :-D

[Unix]

I need a new suit for interviews,
Does a quality suit (expensive) make much difference
Anyone got Ideas about this

If you are one of the top in your field what you wear will not matter. If you are a average joe you need to distract them with how you appear so a decent suit might be worth it.

I wear 5 year old jeans and tulipty tshirt, always get the gig.