Interview; Suit or No Suit?

It depends. If it were a proper job I'd probably wear a suit. I've had lots of jobs (retail, care home, cafe, restaurant) and worn my every-day clothes to each of them. I haven't had an interview where I haven't got the job, but they weren't particularly important jobs so they probably would've hired anyone, anyway :p

If I were looking to work like, in an office over summer, then I'd be smart (trousers, shirt) but wouldn't bother buying a suit.

If I were looking to start a career, then I'd buy a suit, definitely.
 
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Steve jobs selling his ipod - erm...no suit.
 
Steve jobs selling his ipod - erm...no suit.
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Bill Gates selling...whatever it is he does these days - erm...suit.

If you'd care to read what has been posted about suits, it's very much "pick what is right for the occasion". You may look fabulous in a Hawaiian t-shirt, but you don't wear one to a funeral.

If you are one of the suit wearing fraternity in a position of authority then good on ya but you have no idea the talent you pass by every day if you take that approach to recruitment.
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So you're saying that candidates shouldn't be pre-judged because they AREN'T wearing a suit, even though you are pre-judging people because they ARE wearing a suit?

I've interviewed all manner of idiots, wearing suits or not. I don't wear a suit/tie to work, but I'd expect a candidate to at least make an effort in that direction. A good quality shirt, with a decent tie and formal trousers is an acceptable alternative.
 
I`m not pre judging, my point was a generalisation based upon my experiences during 18 years of employment. I had hoped to make the comment somewhat ambiguous but I can understand how it could have been misinterpreted so fair enough. On the subject of Gates wearing a suit and earlier Jobs not wearing one, in presentations I have seen of both companies products, Jobs has been by far the most charasmatic and clued up. I dare say its swings and roundabouts TBH. A guy I`m working with just now never wears suits, always casual and is a self made multi millionaire, houses all over the world etc, but he has realised that his enthusiasm and personality are actually detrimental to how his companies run therefore he employs "suits" to help with the business decisions that count.
 
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Again people are saying that you want people to make the "effort", same as the skill thing, I don't understand how putting on a suit jacket is any kind of "effort" at all, only expenditure.

Obviously I would never go to a job interview in jeans and a t-shirt, a nice shirt and tie definitely... Still to those who say it doesn't mater if I think I look good in a suit I think that is all that matters, I'm going to go look for a cheapish suit in the next few days, but if I don't find one that i think suits me then I'll just go in a shirt and tie, so be it if I am judged for that.
 
I'd also think that wearing a brand new, cheapish, suit to an interview is a bad idea. If you have a good suit, which you look and feel comfortable in then by all means. Something that's obviously been brought from M&S for £100 the day before isn't a great move.
 
I remember reading the results of a survery of bosses and interviewers a couple of years ago. Apparently, the vast majority of interviewers make the decision on whether a person is employable in the first 5-10 seconds of the interview. If the initial impression is off, you're on the back foot for the rest of the interview. Get the first impression right, and you're onto a winner.

So basically, you have 10 seconds in the interview to make your mark. That's the initial up/down look the interviewer gets of you (including shoes!), the hello and the handshake. If you get that bit right, you're onto a winner - and your appearance is the very first of the first impressions.
 
First impressions count.

The typical interviewer makes their decision within the first two minutes, so that's how long you have to make a really good first impression. And part of that is how smartly you're dressed. So always the suit.

Interviewers I know for office roles also check out peoples fingernails to see how well they're looked after, so clean and manicured is the way to go with that too...
(yes, seriously!)

A lot of books on interviews will recommend you ask someone in the know before hand what the company dress code is, and you wear an outfit that complies with it, although personally I'd always go the full hog with a suit.
 
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timbob said:
.Get the first impression right, and you're onto a winner. ...and your appearance is the very first of the first impressions.
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CF93 said:
First impressions count.

The typical interviewer makes their decision within the first two minutes, so that's how long you have to make a really good first impression. And part of that is how smartly you're dressed. So always the suit.
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Of course first impressions count, but that absolutely does not automatically lead to "wear a suit".
 
PeterNem said:
(suited and clean shaven)
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Clean shaven?

I might be misinterpreting, but you mean, you wouldn't hire someone just because they have a beard or a moustache? Or do you just mean clean shaven as in 'neat & tidy' rather than 'no facial hair'...

I presume the latter, because it'd be pretty silly to discriminate for having facial hair :confused: Or maybe clean shaven does just mean neat & tidy, and I'm being dumb..?
 
I have never worn a suit to an interview, yet been successful at most, if not all of them. Always shirt and tie. My career guides always suggest wearing what you think you will be expected to wear at work. Hence for my current job, I knew they don't even wear ties, so I didn't bother. I have never know wearing a suit make a difference.
 
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I turned up at the interveiw for my current job in old jeans, and old T-Shirt, and covered in cutting oil and swarf. I was on my lunch break.

I got the job there and then...........
 
DreXeL said:
I turned up at the interveiw for my current job in old jeans, and old T-Shirt, and covered in cutting oil and swarf. I was on my lunch break.

I got the job there and then...........
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What was it, grease monkey? Clearly if it's an office job that wouldn't cut the mustard.
 
Skyfall said:
Again people are saying that you want people to make the "effort", same as the skill thing, I don't understand how putting on a suit jacket is any kind of "effort" at all, only expenditure.

Obviously I would never go to a job interview in jeans and a t-shirt, a nice shirt and tie definitely... Still to those who say it doesn't mater if I think I look good in a suit I think that is all that matters, I'm going to go look for a cheapish suit in the next few days, but if I don't find one that i think suits me then I'll just go in a shirt and tie, so be it if I am judged for that.
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You've asked for peoples advice and they have given it to you. Its almost a complete unanomous decision that you should wear a suit yo an interview. If you want to disregard the advice you have recieved then go for it, but why not give yourself the best possible chance of getting the job?
 
Bin Laden has had a haircut, has dyed his beard a nice shade of jet black and is wearing a sharp looking suit(islamic dress code) for his latest terror installment video. here:

Is there a message there about the whole suit thing.
 
Robbie G said:
What was it, grease monkey? Clearly if it's an office job that wouldn't cut the mustard.
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No, not a 'grease monkey'. I'm a CNC programmer/operator. Which does involve office work when I have to fill in for the main programmers :)

I do appreciate what you are saying though, it depends entirely on the type of job on offer. The point I was trying to make though, was that not all employers look at the way you are dressed, some actually give people jobs on their merits ;)
 
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clv101 said:
I'd also think that wearing a brand new, cheapish, suit to an interview is a bad idea. If you have a good suit, which you look and feel comfortable in then by all means. Something that's obviously been brought from M&S for £100 the day before isn't a great move.
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Why. For someone like a recent graduate I'd expect nothing more flamboyant than that.
 
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