Interview; Suit or No Suit?

furnace said:
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..?
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As in the part of your face that you shave is clean shaven and doesnt have several days growth. As far as I was aware maintaining a beard or 'tosh does not involve shaving it.
 
It may sound silly but the weather may play a role. I had an interview Friday and had my full suit but the jacket was over my arm the whole time as it was simply too hot to wear it, so the interviewers never saw it on me. Don't know how it worked for me but I should find out tomorrow.
 
I think a suit is probably a good idea if you're going for a customer facing role, as being presentable is part of the job. For IT roles, I've never worn a suit to interviews and have done ok. Shirt and tie is alright IMO.
 
clv101 said:
Of course first impressions count, but that absolutely does not automatically lead to "wear a suit".
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But as the OP doesn't say the type of job they're going for, it's fair to say the suit. As someone who're been involved in recruiting even where the dress code does not require a suit, anyone turning up for interview NOT in a suit would be marked down (though not rejected outright, naturally.)
 
fanger said:
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Steve jobs selling his ipod - erm...no suit.
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Haven't you heard? He's 'cool'.
 
fanger said:
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Steve jobs selling his ipod - erm...no suit.
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Steve Jobs standing on a stage, selling the new iPod to a consumer/press based audience, with the backing of a world renowned brand such as Apple is an entirely different scenario compared to wearing a suit and having to sell yourself to an interviewer who knows nothing about you.

Steve Jobs can afford to be 'laid back' when it comes to his clothing. A job candidate cannot imho.




P.S. Skyfall, buy a suit you nugget. I've been telling you for days, I'll come help you pick one as I know what you are like :)
 
sgx.saint said:
Steve Jobs standing on a stage, selling the new iPod to a consumer/press based audience, with the backing of a world renowned brand such as Apple is an entirely different scenario compared to wearing a suit and having to sell yourself to an interviewer who knows nothing about you.

Steve Jobs can afford to be 'laid back' when it comes to his clothing. A job candidate cannot imho.
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Agreed, it's totally different. After all, he's not being interviewed for a job, he's already got one!
 
Skyfall said:
I'd say steve jobs has more to lose than your average job candidate tbh.

I think I can afford to aswell.
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I agree he has more to lose, but again you are talking about an entirely different context to that of a job interview so it renders your point null and void tbh.

If you firmly believe that you do not need to wear a suit then don't. If you fail the interview, ask for feedback, and see if they mention your lack of suit.
 
to be honest, in the dozens of interviews I've done for support jobs at work in the last 3 months every single candidate has worn a suit. Anybody who didn't would have surprised me really.

I agree by the way, the people who wear a cheap suit and look uncomfortable in it do themselves no favours, they'd be better off with a shirt and tie possibly.

Does it matter, well not directly i don't think but i think the people who do wear a suit tend to have a more professional attitude and that matters, ability isn't everything.
 
I think there are good cases on both sides but it does depend on the job you're going for and how you have been invited to the interview.

If there are a high number of candidates then wearing a suit might be considered the norm.

I've done the technical side of interviews for pre-sales and tech support and I don't care as long as the candidate is in a pair of trousers, shirt and shoes. Anything else is optional and the same stance taken by our HR. People have turned up in less and still been employed but that's for the reasons below -

The reason why? The people we ask to come are interviewing us as much as we are them. Most of the people I have interviewed have been head hunted or work for competitors. We're not trying to fill many positions and the positions we are trying to fill are for very skilled and experienced individuals and high basic wage and bonus.

Their CV and reputation is more important to us and even turning up in jeans and a tshirt can be overlooked. Interviews arn't always the interviewee cap in hand looking for a job, often it is the other way around!
 
I'm confused as to why a full suit is so much better than suit-trousers, a shirt and tie? :confused: Afterall, all you're losing is the jacket? If it's a hot day you're gonna look like a plank walking in, sweating your arse off in a full-on suit.

If you know for sure that the company has a casual dress code, surely you want to use that to your advantage. Turning up in a suit shows you have no idea about how the company operates, what it thinks about the way it's staff needs to dress etc.. not to mention that if it does employ a casual dress code - the interview is unlikely to bat an eyelid if *shock horror* you're not wearing a jacket. :confused:

If you dont wear a jacket you can always roll up your shirt-sleeves in the manner of 'i know how to get down to work' ;)

And why dont you ask anyway? Ring up to confirm the time or something, then ask what the dress code is, without making too much of a fuss? My Dad has had interviewees that have specifically been told that the dress code is vasual, and they've turned up in a full suit. Not only that, but after having had their interview and tour of the offices (i.e. seeing everyone dressed casually) they turn up for their first day still in a suit! That's not a good impression to make at all.
 
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