Interview wear?

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Wear a suit, after being out of work I got my final job ( all the applicants were well qualified) because I showed I could be relied upon to take the time and trouble that the situation required.

What, you were chosen over the other candidates because you went to a better tailor than them?

Jim

[SheffieldLass]

It depends so much on the employer ... having run a business and employed people on occasion I actually prefer smart casual to suits, but then that is me ... however what an employer is really judging is the person, their abilities and manner, not the clothes. You do need to aim to be a bit smarter than what is their usual work wear though, look as if you did make an effort, do want the job.

Do background research, find out as much as you can about the job/employer/set-up and on the base of that decide what you think is most appropriate. If they seem to be very conventional then a suit is probably the wear ... remember people seem to select those from a similar mold to themselves ....

More importantly though is showing that you have made the effort to find as much as you can about them and the job, and researching into those areas of the job description that your experience is light on is going to be more impressive than whether you have chosen to wear a suit or sports jacket.

good luck

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by SheffieldLass

It depends so much on the employer ... having run a business and employed people on occasion I actually prefer smart casual to suits, but then that is me ... however what an employer is really judging is the person, their abilities and manner, not the clothes. You do need to aim to be a bit smarter than what is their usual work wear though, look as if you did make an effort, do want the job.

Do background research, find out as much as you can about the job/employer/set-up and on the base of that decide what you think is most appropriate. If they seem to be very conventional then a suit is probably the wear ... remember people seem to select those from a similar mold to themselves ....

More importantly though is showing that you have made the effort to find as much as you can about them and the job, and researching into those areas of the job description that your experience is light on is going to be more impressive than whether you have chosen to wear a suit or sports jacket.

By far the best advice yet!

Jim

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

What, you were chosen over the other candidates because you went to a better tailor than them?

Jim

Could be , It was extra points to that particular employer, what else can I say

[Jenny W]

The thing is, it's not so much what you are actually wearing - it's the fact that if you go smart and wear a suit it shows you have the intelligence to dress appropriately for the situation you are in.

And after all, as much as we all like to deny it, first impressions do count. So if you go into an interview looking smart, clean and tidy then it's going to put the interviewers in a good mood with you - which is half the battle! You don't want to walk into an interview and immediately put the interviewers off you just from your appearence

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Jenny W

And after all, as much as we all like to deny it, first impressions do count. So if you go into an interview looking smart, clean and tidy then it's going to put the interviewers in a good mood with you - which is half the battle!

You don't have to wear a 'whistle and flute' to look clean and tidy - that's what smart casual is all about!

Jim

[charlieb]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

'whistle and flute'

Casual is not a word I would associate with an interview - smart is.

[treecreeper]

Absolutely beyond question wear a suit! Pure white shirt, sober tie, and shave twice!

Don't listen to sandal-wearing Jim!

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by charlieb

Where have you people been?

Let me google that for you

Third item down!
;^)

Jim

[Jenny W]

I've just realised, what a stupid thing to be arguing about - I feel sorry for the original poster who just wanted advice on his interview.

Mark - I apologise fror the arguing, in my opinion you should wear a suit, but please consider what others have said as well! And good luck

Jim - I'm sorry, I respect your opinion but I'm never going to attend an interview in 'smart/casual'. I don't feel it's appropriate for such a formal situation (not meaning to brag but I've got every job I've ever interviewed for and I believe that how I dress and present myself has contributed to that).