Going for an interview without a suit

Although many people will come into the thread and say they get jobs without suits, let's look at the possibilities. Obviously this scenario assumes an office or formal job where most other candidates are likely to wear a suit.

Candidate is good. Wears a suit. Gets the job.
Candidate is good. Wears a suit. Doesn't get the job (another candidate better).
Candidate is good. Doesn't wear a suit. Gets the job anyway (other suited candidates not as good).
Candidate is good. Doesn't wear a suit. Doesn't get the job because of it.
Candidate is poor. Wears a suit. Doesn't get the job.
Candidate is poor. Doesn't wer a suit. Doesn't get the job

Of the 4 scenarios in green where the candidate is good enough to get the job you can reduce your chances of success by not wearing one. Why would you deliberately want to reduce your chances?
 
I don't wear suits and don't really want to buy one just for an interview but I've been applying for many jobs without any success so if I get an interview I'll at least buy a cheap Asda one for the day so I look smart. Hopefully they won't hold that against me.
 
Unless you can pull it off by coming across as some kind of god it's a bad idea in my opinion, depends on the job of course but a lot of interviewers will see it as not making an effort. Although I agree with others, it's a rather silly process when it's about your personality and skills rather than how you look (well it's meant to be anyway, although studies show appearance goes a long way in the business world).
 
Stovepipes said:
I don't wear suits and don't really want to buy one just for an interview but I've been applying for many jobs without any success so if I get an interview I'll at least buy a cheap Asda one for the day so I look smart. Hopefully they won't hold that against me.
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I do interview people and unless the suit was absolutely terrible then the mere fact someone went to the effort of wearing a suit would be enough for me. Good luck :)
 
Zefan said:
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?".
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Yup ;D
 
Hades said:
Although many people will come into the thread and say they get jobs without suits, let's look at the possibilities. Obviously this scenario assumes an office or formal job where most other candidates are likely to wear a suit.

Candidate is good. Wears a suit. Gets the job.
Candidate is good. Wears a suit. Doesn't get the job (another candidate better).
Candidate is good. Doesn't wear a suit. Gets the job anyway (other suited candidates not as good).
Candidate is good. Doesn't wear a suit. Doesn't get the job because of it.
Candidate is poor. Wears a suit. Doesn't get the job.
Candidate is poor. Doesn't wer a suit. Doesn't get the job

Of the 4 scenarios in green where the candidate is good enough to get the job you can reduce your chances of success by not wearing one. Why would you deliberately want to reduce your chances?
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You missed out:

Candidate is poor. Wears a suit. Gets the job despite other candidates that didn't wear a suit being better.
 
FoxEye said:
Define: absolutely terrible. Assuming it's a normal suit, not a golfing suit :p
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For a less senior job then I would class terrible as falling apart, ripped, dirty, a strange colour, etc. I wouldn't count poorly fitting as a negative point beacause they may have borrowed the suit for the interview. But the fact they appreciate a suit is needed would be sufficient for me.

For a more senior role I would expect it to fit because it may be an indication that the person really doesn't care.
 
I work for a fairly large oil and gas engineering company, and anyone not turning up to an interview in a suit would be almost instantly dismissed unless they were Einstein reincarnate... It shows an apathy that doesn't bode well for the type of role you're looking at.

It doesn't need to be mm perfect, just shows a respect for the seriousness of the role you're looking at... Turning up in just shirt and trousers just shows you can't be bothered.
 
Wearing a suit will never damage your chances of getting a job.
Not wearing a suit could potentially damage your chances of getting a job.

Simple as that. Nobody was ever marked down in an interview for being over dressed. As I said in that thread a while back from that guy who wanted to wear jeans and trainers to an interview, if someone turned up like that to an interview I was conducting, they would be sent home before they got into the room.
 
I always dress smart and dress comfortable for interviews. Have worn suits in the past when i thought it appropriate. Not afraid to dress more casually when I think it appropriate either though. Do your research and dress accordingly - if in doubt, suit. I wore a navy kilt, brown boots and a polo shirt for my last interview. Don't think it counted against me in the slightest.

/Salsa
 
Why would you even put yourself on the instant back foot? You're not going to be commended for going against the grain. Whether you think it's a stupid ritual or not, that isn't the point and I assume you're going for an interview because you want/need the job. It's not really time to be making statements about what you think of old traditions. What you are doing, by not making that little bit of effort, is making the interviewers job easier, because you are helping them make their mind up if it came to a toss up between candidates.... Pick the one who wore the suit. This isn't particularly aimed at OP, just anyone who thinks they're a special *********.

It's simple advice, echoed by practically everyone.

Wear a suit.
 
Skeeter said:
Unless your the interviewer, you simply cannot make that statement.
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I've been more successful the times I never had a suit jacket so I don't buy into that at all.

It depends on the employer, if they're going to judge you on something like that I'm not sure I want to work for them to be honest.
 
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