Males dressing for an interview

Everynamestaken

I appreciate that there is a thread below, but I thought this may have deserved it's own thread.

I have an interview Monday, and as far I'm concerned, I will be dressed for the interview as I always dress for interviews, shirt, tie, suit jacket etc.

If I get the job, I will have to dress in that way everyday anyway, so it seems illogical to me, to dress up anything different.

I however have been to interviews where some person were not dressed the same, and I have recently spoke to a friend who said he has turned up for a marketing job before in jeans and a T shirt, and got through to the second interview.
I can only imagine that it was a commission based job, (as he's not that articulate with words), for him to get through to the next stage of the interviewing process. Surely it's not the cleverest thing to do?


What are other peoples thoughts on this?
Surely as someone posted somewhere else, there's no such thing as dressing over smart?

scheming_gypsy

I always wear a suit but i once saw some clown being interviewed wearing a suit and flip flops.

Have to disagree with the 'there's no such thing as dressing over smart' comment though. You'd look a right tw*t going for a job interview in a tuxedo or wedding dress.

DCFC79

Its just common sense, ive worn a suit or a jumper in place of a jacket for every interview ive had albeit first 2 interviews i had i wore just smart clothes since i was at 6th form for first interview. Ive never over dressed for an interview though, i take the idea that if you wear a suit you look professional in the employers eye and can stand you in good stead.

Owain_Moneysaver

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

I always wear a suit but i once saw some clown being interviewed wearing a suit and flip flops.

Have to disagree with the 'there's no such thing as dressing over smart' comment though. You'd look a right tw*t going for a job interview in a tuxedo or wedding dress.

Especially if you're a bloke.

A tux could be appropriate for some jobs.

smileylondongal

I did interview someone who came in his jeans - it was for a graduate job in a consultancy so gawd knows what he was thinking! He asked for feedback at the end, and I told him that whilst I couldn't give him immediate feedback on the interview itself, he perhaps should have thought twice about the jeans for this kind of interview. He looked a bit taken aback as if he hadn't realised but whilst he got the job, he never came in jeans again!

Personally, in this climate, I wouldn't chance it. A suit every time.

paddyrg

The type of job will affect what is acceptable of course, but I figure a suit always shows willing, then you can dress down when yiou get the job!

t0rt0ise

I disagree that you can never look too smart, especially women. The idea is that the interviewers can see you fitting in with their workforce. If you're going for a cleaning job and dress up to the nines.. a woman in high shoes and ultra smart suit, they'd probably take one look and think that you wouldn't fit in. So just go one level smarter than the you would for the job. Easier for men though, as a tie and smart jacket are almost like a uniform for them.

bluenoseam

Every interview i go to it's at a bare minimum trousers & shirt, i wouldn't dream of turning up for an interview in jeans & a t-shirt, i've seen hundreds of people do it when i worked in retail figuring "it's a music shop, they can't be that formal" and used to cringe! While it's true i don't tend to wear a tie or a suit jacket that's more out of necessity (ties give me problems with my neck following treatment) and the fact i don't own a suit jacket which fits me, if it were needed however you bet i'd be in Burtons quicker than you can say "semi-formal" - atleast with the shirt & trousers combo you look like you've atleast put a bit of effort into it, jeans & t-shirt just suggests you were on your way to the pub & happened to pop in for an interview!

Naf

DCFC79 wrote: »

Its just common sense, ive worn a suit or a jumper in place of a jacket for every interview ive had albeit first 2 interviews i had i wore just smart clothes since i was at 6th form for first interview. Ive never over dressed for an interview though, i take the idea that if you wear a suit you look professional in the employers eye and can stand you in good stead.

Suit. Every time. Without fail.
It shows I'm absolutely serious about the job. And while it may be way over the top as compared to what I'd need to wear for the job, in a sense when this is the case I think it shows it even more.
I understand the point that they need to be able to picture you fitting into the team, putting on a suit doesn't suddenly make you come across as dour as a funeral director. Your personality will show them how well you'll fit in or not.

SarEl

It depends on the job!

In my trade, you come in a suit or you leave without a job - no matter how good the interview is, the first test is do you know how to dress for barristers chambers!

My brothers trade (Film and Tv sound recording) jeans and flip flops will be fine if you know what you are doing and you have at least three spare sound cables in your pocket!

Sharon87

SarEl wrote: »

It depends on the job!

In my trade, you come in a suit or you leave without a job - no matter how good the interview is, the first test is do you know how to dress for barristers chambers!

My brothers trade (Film and Tv sound recording) jeans and flip flops will be fine if you know what you are doing and you have at least three spare sound cables in your pocket!

I agree. TV is very casual. My first TV interview I dressed in a shirt and trousers, I felt so out of place! Everyone else in the office was dressed smart/casual, well fashionable really! They don't care about your dress sense, only what you know and your experience.

Creative jobs tend to be more casual, most other jobs you need to dress a bit smartly, if not very smartly.