Going for an interview without a suit

[Buffman]

I've got an interview next week (Thursday) that I only was informed about 10 days before hand for. I intend on wearing suit type smart clothes without the jacket, let's hear some tales of woe/people's thoughts on this.

Personally I dont think it (should) make a difference, and better than wearing my old ill fitting suit jacket. Previously I have worn suits etc for interviews however dress codes from interviewees I've seen has varied.

For info it's for a graduate role which I have strong experience for (however I will be asking for a higher salary than the standard interviewee)

 

[Buffman]

if you are then good luck with it, you will need it.

Challenge accepted . I won't be able to get a tailored suit now within the time of the interview. ;D. I figure it's better to wear smart well fitting clothes I'm comfortable in than an iller fitting suit.

(engineering consultancy role)

 

[Buffman]

Wear a suit. I remember going for an interview and there was a girl who turned up in casual clothes. Needless to say she didn't get the job.

Previously had people at my work I've helped interview in far more casual clothes and she was a definite hire (and got the job) over the other 4 candidates.

Also previously got a job in a supermarket with smart clothes (not a suit)... I dont really see that as an achievement.

 

[Buffman]

In the majority of cases wear a suit; navy or charcoal/grey, white shirt, plain tie, polished black shoes and belt.

Brown shoes (new) , grey trousers, (new), white shirt and tie.

If it makes people feel better I would also be rather sweaty most occasions in a suit!

Wish me luck!

 

[Buffman]

you could walk into M&S tomorrow, and mix and match a suit for under £130, that will give a tailored fit, fling a nice shirt and tie in to complement,

once worn, stick it straight back into the wardrobe for next time, then don't eat too many pies until then (this happens with me, then trousers are tight lol)

and good luck with your interview, that fact you are taking the time to research this means your serious about getting it.

I've walked into M&S before and not a single suit fits that isn't far too wide (I go to the gym a lot so need 44+ shoulder and then tapered in).

I'm in current employment and going to my current work the half day after this interview, so kind of have an excuse .

FYI I won't be buying a new suit prior to this interview, but I appreciate ocuk concern

 

[Buffman]

Lol. Wants more than they're offering, as a graduate and doesn't even want to bother to wear a suit for a job.
Can safely say from this alone if I was interviewing you you'd start at the top of my ****-list and would have to be bloody good to pull yourself off the bottom.

For what it's worth I'm more experienced than a graduate, and salary depends on the offer. (I don't need to change job unless I'm offered a good alternative, I like my current position)

The interview will be a learning experience at least.

 

[Buffman]

I don't mind wearing suits, but I do find the whole ritual rather preposterous. I get the impression that the majority of people that are replying in this thread aren't responding to your actual question of "My suit jacket doesn't fit, should I just wear what is essentially a suit but without the jacket?", and are instead answering "Can I wear jeans and a t-shirt to a job interview?".

Yup ;D

 

[Buffman]

You missed out:

Candidate is poor. Wears a suit. Gets the job despite other candidates that didn't wear a suit being better.

I somehow struggle to believe this situation occurs unless
A) the hiring manager is a poor interviewer
B) you work in the city /finance/banking

 

[Buffman]

I have been to every job interview I have had wearing formal shoes, formal trousers, formal shirt and tie with no suit jacket and I have got every single job I have ever applied for........suits are overrated!

This is what I'm doing. The jeans option above sounds far less formal!!

OP, be sure to report back how your interview goes.

Will do.

 

[Buffman]

Update:
Had Interview (wore suit without jacket, and was well dressed for the interview imo)

Had technical question which (I think) I answered pretty well

Had interview questions (some about experience etc, which where fine, although my answers I feel I should have answered in more detail)

Had : "what's your best academic/career accomplishment "
" what's your best personal accomplishment"
Was totally stumped by the latter!

Got told the starting salary (Which was 4k under what I'm currently on!) and I asked for 6k more than what they're offering so I'll see how that pans out
(could make hr unhappy if it's 25% over their anticipated!)

 

[Buffman]

Did you negotiate the salary in the first interview? I'm either impressed or have my fingers covering my eyes depending on what they come back with.

It's the first /only interview.

As for suits I'd dress similar again to an interview

Tbh I'm not expecting to get the job offer I'm after, altho the role is nice I don't want to take a significant salary hit, even if the work does look interesting.

 

[Buffman]

Housey wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Just a suit jackets different :X (and I was wearing a smart coat)

No idea where you get the perception of superstar either.

Should hear back in about 2 weeks. I'll be sure to let ocuk know if the feedback is "should have worn a full suit".

A lot of negative comments in this thread, do people not look at themselves/ career opportunities positively/optimistically on this forum?

 

[Buffman]

They were recruiting people for a "Competitive salary" with under 2 years experience, I applied and by the time the standard graduate intake is, id have 2 years experience (and a 6 monthly pay rise to probably around x+1k on my existing xk salary). Thus I don't think asking for a couple k more on a standard graduate rate seems unreasonable.

They said generally the starting salary is x-4


End of the day any issues and I can stay put, in a job I like with good positives to it.

 

[Buffman]

Got a verbal (need to see the paperwork first!) offer of 4.5k over the standard grad, only got to do 1.5k worth of salary negotiation now to get what im after!

thanks for tips all, and turns out you apparently can get jobs without a suit

 

[Buffman]

Congrats.

You seem jauntily conceited, so they're welcome to you

Is it bad I had to Google jauntily conceited . I think with text its easy to misinterpret what a person is like.

 

[Buffman]

I will spend the 100quid I saved on a suit, on nice shirts to wear at work (along with the nice shoes /trousers/belt I bought)

 

[Buffman]

That makes no sense in the finance industry!

Happy to say I've accepted the job, and turns out the salary/package is significantly over what a standard grad gets, and way over my current salary (I also did some haggling and got more )

 

[Buffman]

Don't wear a suit

 

[Buffman]

Interestingly I seen (I assume graduate) going for a role with the company a few weeks ago and was wearing a full suit with trainers. Looked smart up top but hilarious as a whole!