M&S interview, quick clothing question.

spudbynight · 20 Jun 2011 at 14:43

You need to get some red braces.

Sin_Chase · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:29

You can only make a first impression once.

While a suit might seem OTT it's better to give the impression of going the extra mile than assuming informal wear was appropriate.

Robbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:35

Ewaf said:
I hope you're joking.

For M&S sales assistant I would just wear black shoes, black trousers, open collared shirt. You will look a div if you wear a tie.

Or he would look smart and like he actually wants the job...

J.B · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:40

I used to work at M&S and a suit is not OTT at all, they take a great deal of pride in appearance both in their staff and in the store itself.

When I was there (was about 8 or 9 years ago) they expected the gentlemen on the shop floor to wear a staff tie so I dont think wearing a tie to the interview is such a daft idea

GoatBotherer · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:44

CRINGE! Don't wear a suit. Don't even wear a tie. You are applying for a customer assistant job, not regional manager.

I worked at M&S last year and I wore plain shirt and trousers.

Robbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:45

GoatBotherer said:
CRINGE! Don't wear a suit. Don't even wear a tie. You are applying for a customer assistant job, not regional manager.

I am (once again) genuinely shocked that there are people like this.

Ewaf · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:45

I dunno, I've had a few shelf stacking jobs during college and during summer at uni and never one more than smart trousers and a smart polo, never not gotten a job.

When you turn up in a suite you will feel such a pleb.

Robbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:47

Ewaf said:
When you turn up in a suite you will feel such a pleb.

You should never feel a 'pleb' in a suit... you're doing it wrong.

wnb · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:50

Always a suit at the very least trousers, shirt and tie. I am amazed how little people put into their appearence for an interview.

Ewaf · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:52

Robbo said:
You should never feel a 'pleb' in a suit... you're doing it wrong.

Lol..

How old are you by the way? This isn't a dig, just times do change.

Robbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 15:56

Ewaf said:
Lol..

How old are you by the way? This isn't a dig, just times do change.

22 in 2 days. So I'm not an old git, and times haven't changed.

Ewaf · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:04

Was just wondering, I can see the old timers finding this very odd, but I've just finished university and friends going for interviews say smart casual is the norm, and these are for graduate jobs! I got my job in November while still studying and it was "smart casual" for that interview. I wore black shoes smart black trousers and a smart open collared shirt, and the student who they interviewed before me was just leaving. He was wearing jeans and a polo, and he also got a job.

Mind you this is at a games studio where theres no dress code.

Robbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:09

That is very odd, if you're going for any half decent job you should be in a suit.

It would never count against you, not wearing one could (and should) very easily count against you.

mangobreeder · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:11

wear this.

/end thread

w3bbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:16

Shirt, trousers, shoes and tie. If you cannot be bothered to make the effort for an interview you clearly do not want the job enough for employment, shelf stacker or regional manager - it makes no difference whatsoever.

Should anyone turn up to an interview I was holding you would be shown the door before you sat down if you did not wear the above (not the gimp suit lol) as a minimum.

Lightnix · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:18

I think there's an element of being able to 'try too hard' for a retail position. At least that's now my opinion having been rejected after two retail interviews wearing a suit.

In fact, bonus points if you turn up to a group interview being the only person wearing a suit. You will feel like a ****, I swear to god.

Ahleckz · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:23

Lightnix said:
I think there's an element of being able to 'try too hard' for a retail position. At least that's now my opinion having been rejected after two retail interviews wearing a suit.

In fact, bonus points if you turn up to a group interview being the only person wearing a suit. You will feel like a ****, I swear to god.

I went in a suit and tie to my last group interview, and didn't feel like a **** at all. In fact, I felt that the people there not in a suit looked like *****.

Lightnix · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:24

Ahleckz said:
I went in a suit and tie to my last group interview, and didn't feel like a **** at all. In fact, I felt that the people there not in a suit looked like *****.

Maybe I'm just nervous and self conscious. Or perhaps it had something to do with the suit being terrible.

w3bbo · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:24

Lightnix said:
I think there's an element of being able to 'try too hard' for a retail position. At least that's now my opinion having been rejected after two retail interviews wearing a suit.

In fact, bonus points if you turn up to a group interview being the only person wearing a suit. You will feel like a ****, I swear to god.

.....Or you'll stand out as someone who actually wants the job and not one of the benefit tribe who have been sent for an interview because they have to go, not because they want to

. Like Robbo said, first impressions mean everything.

I doubt very much you got rejected because you wore a suit. Did you ask for feedback?

Skully · 20 Jun 2011 at 16:34

When I had my M&S interview I went in shirt and trousers.

White trousers :/.

I was younger then! Still got the job though!

Before my current job I applied for bar work for a couple of months, went to that interview in a three piece suit.

Makes the difference and landed me a supervisor role rather than bar staff.