Interviews, new suit and tan!?

Spathi · 1 Feb 2006 at 18:27

So, I'm heading off for job interviews in the coming months. I'm finishing my 4th year at university and applying for graduate positions with BP, Shell, BNFL and others and I've got my first interview next thursday.

Aside from a good haircut, I need a new suit - so whats hot and whats not? Thinking of hitting House of Fraser for something stylish and Italian but I'm not really sure what kind of things to go for with colours and styles.

Should it be black, pinstripe, tight? And what kind of shirts and ties to go with it? I have some smart black shoes, so thats sorted, but this isnt really my world! Style gurus of ocuk, help me

And on top of all this, one of my workmates assures me a few sessions in a tanning salon would make me look a lot healthier. Two weeks of skiing followed by a month of cold christmas and then 6 weeks of library revising for exams has me looking a bit pale.

Pictures and advice appreciated, i'm not worried about the price, happy to invest in something nice as I am sure it will get used

Sequoia · 1 Feb 2006 at 18:31

Spathi said:
.... i'm not worried about the price, happy to invest in something nice as I am sure it will get used

You might want to put an upper limit on that, or it can get very expensive. A full workup from a top tailor could cost you £20k.

Muban · 1 Feb 2006 at 19:05

Spathi said:
And on top of all this, one of my workmates assures me a few sessions in a tanning salon would make me look a lot healthier. Two weeks of skiing followed by a month of cold christmas and then 6 weeks of library revising for exams has me looking a bit pale.

It shouldn't make a difference. But if you had to choose one or the other go for pale. Nobody I know has anything against pale.... but permatan... :/ Personally I wouldn't recommend you go there.

Von Luck · 1 Feb 2006 at 19:30

Fusion · 1 Feb 2006 at 19:58

You spend 4 years doing a degree, and think a tan will net you a job? Like it!

Jimmeh · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:00

Your mate's a poof

I'd put the money you would otherwise spend in the tanning salon towards a suit.

fini · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:15

Von Luck said:
White long sleeved shirt

I'd advice against white. White suggests you are dull and uninspired.

fini

rossyl · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:19

suit.

- Fitted. Colour - black, or black with very light grey thin pin stripe, or dark blue, or dark blue with blue pinstripe (herringbone is it called?)
- Straight cut NON baggy trousers.
- Either a 3 button single breasted or standard double breasted suit.
- a WHITE shirt, DOUBLE-CUFF with simple cufflinks.
- With a silk non-flashy tie. Something relatively plain.

NO FAKE TAN!!

Nozzer · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:23

rossyl said:
- a WHITE shirt, DOUBLE-CUFF with simple cufflinks.

As already suggested further up, avoid white. Light blues or purples are a much better choice.

Pebbles · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:23

Unless you're planning on being an air flight attendant, forget the tan. It's February, you're supposed to be pale.

Nix · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:24

A Tan?

You big girl. Are you applying to be a tangerine?

NickXX · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:46

I got a nice suit before my interview for my current job (first job out of uni). Was £400 in Hong Kong, and I felt incredibly confident in it. Whether this confidence showed or not, I'll never know - but I did get the job

Seft · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:50

It's hard to tell what would suit you without seeing a pic.

I tend to base what I'm wearing around the shirt. You probably want to keep it fairly inoffensive - Tyrwhitt would be a good place to look. They could probably kit you out completely. For example:

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/productSJ.aspx?DepGrpCode=MEN&DepCode=MSUT&ProCode=XSJCHR
http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.aspx?DepGrpCode=MEN&DepCode=MFST&ProCode=STSBUE
http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.aspx?DepGrpCode=MEN&DepCode=MLCO&ProCode=FDSMPC
http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.aspx?DepGrpCode=MEN&DepCode=MTHM&ProCode=THSLFK
or
http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/product.aspx?DepGrpCode=MEN&DepCode=MTPL&ProCode=TFDNVY

Would be about £450

Lewin have got a big sale on, so something like:

http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/webapp/wcs...10001&storeId=10001&productId=63451&top=gents
http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/webapp/wcs...10001&storeId=10001&productId=72945&top=white
http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/webapp/wcs...10001&storeId=10001&productId=61564&top=gents

would be about £625

Obviously these are just ideas. By all means mix and match between stores. At the end of the day, you should be able to walk into any decent tailor and come out looking and feeling like a million dollars. A good suit will make you feel that much better and that will come off in your interview. Make sure you've got decent shoes to keep up with your new threads.

And don't get a tan.

Gamefreak501 · 1 Feb 2006 at 20:59

I would recommend going for a light fairly plain long sleeved shirt. Not necesarily a white one, maybe a pale blue with a few lines on it say. Get a very plain tie, not too boring though. If the tie is too loud, the interviewer may be too distracted. As for Pinstripes versus plain, I would personally go for a black or navy suit. A pinstripe suit may look too flash and make you look like you are trying too hard.

Wear a pinstripe suit when you have the job!

As for cuffs, maybe those mother of pearl ones up there, but again - nothing too flash or distracting.

Other pointers - a firm handshake, some well fitted clean shoes that are a nice deep black - without a pattern on, laced or slip on. Avoid wearing too much aftershave or deodorant. A little is more than enough. Make sure you are clean shaved and go to a barbers the day before to have the hair sorted.

That should be it

PardonTheWait · 1 Feb 2006 at 21:37

Can't knock pinstripes!

I think a fine pinstripe's not too flash at all, I know what you mean about thicker ones though. They look so good though :cool:

Muban · 1 Feb 2006 at 21:55

Mohinder said:
Can't knock pinstripes!

I think a fine pinstripe's not too flash at all, I know what you mean about thicker ones though. They look so good though

Agreed pinstripes are very smart. I wore my new pinstripe pencil skirt at work this week, I was surprised at the amount of compliments it got. Not that I think you should go for a pencil skirt! a suit would be a safer bet

Conanius · 1 Feb 2006 at 22:00

Guess it depends on what your wanting to do

for a giggle on the interview day for my promotion im hiring a ferrari/porsche... yummay

Nozzer · 1 Feb 2006 at 22:25

Conanius said:
Guess it depends on what your wanting to do

for a giggle on the interview day for my promotion im hiring a ferrari/porsche... yummay

There's a lot to be said for it, I was dropped off at a university interview in a 355 and was offered a place...

I'd never do it at work though, they tend to rub people up the wrong way.

Krowzer · 1 Feb 2006 at 23:32

righty'o here goes....

Things to take into account when buying a suit firstly- with a suit the more you spend the better they look and fit depending on your body size and shape also skin tone is very important.

DONT get a navy suit- they are just not cool.

I'd suggest black, charcoal, or a very deep brown- making sure its very fitted if your thin. Try and avoid pin stripes- unless its VERY subtle. Black suits that have a light shadow stripe look nice.

For a shirt, dont go for the same old boring white or blue, mix it up abit. Maybe try a light cream/pink/mint/sky blue shades- once again fitted if your thin - i.e. 15/15H neck.

Regards to a tie, keep it plain and fairly thin- avoid large knots and stick to colours that match your skin tone, thin black tie or other shades would look nice.

*edit*

if you get a 3 button one, leave the bottom button undone- or you'll look like a nonce.

Brum Man · 1 Feb 2006 at 23:35

Avoid a footballers knot at all costs.

Interviews, new suit and tan!?

Wise Guy