What to wear for DWP Interview advice needed please.

peace800

Hi

I have an interview and selection test(all on the same day) with the DWP tomorrow and I was wondering what to wear. I'm male and don't really fancy wearing a full suit. Would it be ok to wear a shirt, tie and a cardigan on top or will it go against me if I don't wear a suit. I know that a few people on here work for DWP so advice appreciated.

Also when do they start to ask the charachter referees for references? I need to tell me personal referees that they might get an email or something. If I pass the selection test I go on to the interview on the same day.

Thanks.

max2009

You are best wearing a suit.Always best to look smart,clean and professional to give a great first impression.

KimYeovil

Just because the slobs who work in Job Centres are slovenly and unkempt it does not mean you can get away with such disrespectful behaviour yourself before you have wheedled a contract. Once you are working for them, you can sink to their level, but not until.

(I really hate men who wear a suit badly - keep the jacket on and buttoned. And, no, no matter what she says, if you paid £69 or less it does not look good on you.)

tanjatucker

KimYeovil wrote: »

And, no, no matter what she says, if you paid £69 or less it does not look good on you.

That's very harsh and not very good advice in MSE terms!
Although I agree that you should wear a full suit OP, the £69 comment is utter rubbish (sorry Kim)! The most important thing is that the suit is clean/tidy and fits you well, not how much it cost! TK Maxx, for example, often sell Boss, Armani etc suits for £50 or less as they are getting prepared for new stock to come in. Look smart, but keep moneysaving in mind .

sammyjammy

OP as long as you look clean and tidy they will not care what you wear, you are not marked on your dress sense or otherwise, go with the shirt and tie without the suit (but with trousers!!) if thats what you are comfortable with.

sammyjammy

As far as references go they may not even bother, it depends on how long it takes to get CRB checks done, it could be up to three weeks after the interview nad will probably be in the form of a telephone call.

di3004

peace800 wrote: »

Hi

I have an interview and selection test(all on the same day) with the DWP tomorrow and I was wondering what to wear. I'm male and don't really fancy wearing a full suit. Would it be ok to wear a shirt, tie and a cardigan on top or will it go against me if I don't wear a suit. I know that a few people on here work for DWP so advice appreciated.

Also when do they start to ask the charachter referees for references? I need to tell me personal referees that they might get an email or something. If I pass the selection test I go on to the interview on the same day.

Thanks.

Hi there

My 20 year old son works for DWP, he went there from uni last year, at his interview he wore just a casual shirt and black trousers, (no tie). Still looked smart.

However If your successful (good luck)......;) , you can wear anything as long as its still tidy looking, such as a tidy pair of jeans etc (no rips etc lol), but they have "dress code" days, these are the days where you would make a little more of an effort.....:D , back to trousers and a shirt.;)
But obviously when you start, again start by wearing shirt and trousers.

Its like that here anyway, but not to sure if this will stand elsewhere.

The references will be at a later date, that is what happened with my son anyway, so do not worry too much about wearing a tie, what you said without a tie is smart enough.

I wish you luck.

Please keep us posted in how you get on, fingers crossed.;)

Di
X

sammyjammy

What the above poster has said is not the case if you're going to be working for Jobcentreplus, they have a strict dress code which means no jeans, trainers etc.

di3004

Oops sorry I shall refrase this, my son actually works for Pensions side of DWP, so he does not directly deal with customers where working directly in the Job centre side of it you do.
He is what you call working in a back room, but as SammyJammy said if actually working with the jobcentre I am also aware it is strict dress code, my hubby's cousin (a male) works for the job centre and always wears shirts and trousers.

Even though 3 times a week I believe my son's department is strict dress code, they are allowed to wear for instance a tidy pair of jeans on certain days.......but again this may vary from one area to the next and depending on what departments of the DWP.

Where dealing direct with customers I believe a good smart dress code would be essential and gives a good impression.;)

JoeBreakdown

I had my interview on Saturday at JCP.

I wore:

denim cowboy shirt
bootlace tie
Silver lycra hot pants
winlke pickers with spats
knee high black and white striped socks
Pork pie hat.

I think my interview went well. I even took m shoes off to make me feel more comfortable.

janet37

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: