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I have my first interview since graduating and the dress code is smart/casual. I have always just worn a suit to interviews. Would it be ok to just wear the suit minus the blazer and tie?
Smart/casual interview
- Thread starter Erich Kriegler
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Soldato
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Suits do not have "blazers" they have jackets. Suits without a jacket are usually just called trousers. If you're asking if you can just wear trousers and a shirt, then I guess so. It would be much easier if you could just wear a suit. Why do employers have to complicate matters?
I'd usually agree, but in this case it sounds like a dress code has been specified. If they want people to come smart/casual and he turns up in a suit, they might disapprove.
Of course they won't disapprove. Wear a suit, shirt and no tie. You'll be fine (from a dress point of view at least).
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for smart casual i'd go with a blazer, shirt and chinos - not a suit but smart. Personally i'd avoid jeans but you might be able to get away with smart jeans.
A suit should be fine btw, as said before generally you can't be too smart for an interview - they are basically saying you don't need to be in a suit, but no-one is likely to call you on it if you do.
A suit should be fine btw, as said before generally you can't be too smart for an interview - they are basically saying you don't need to be in a suit, but no-one is likely to call you on it if you do.
Suit without tie. You take the jacket off when you sit down for the interview anyway. Take a tie as backup. If there are other people there with a tie, put one on in the toilets. Even better - wear it and remove it before the interview based on what others are wearing.
I went to an internal interview in a suit, the guys interviewing me had hoodies on and the other guy that went to the job went in a t-shirt and trousers. I knew this would be the case so I thought Ill show i made an effort and actually want the promotion. (Nailed it)
Got a few comments about how I didnt need to put the effort in but better to be over dressed in this case shows you care.
Got a few comments about how I didnt need to put the effort in but better to be over dressed in this case shows you care.
What is the actual wording? Is it stating the interview dress code is smart casual or that the workplace dress code is smart casual?
If workplace is smart casual then I would still wear a suit. There is a small chance this could go against you but it's a much lower risk than being marked down for not wearing a suit when the other candidates do. In an interview being underdressed is worse than being overdressed and showing that you made an effort.
If the letter states that the interview is smart casual then I would go for trousers and a shirt. I wouldn't wear a tie but I would wear a sports jacket or blazer if I had one (a sports jacket in this context is simply a more casual version of a blazer - not a leather jacket etc). If you don't have a sports jacket/blazer then remove your casual jacket before the interview or wear a v-neck jumper if it's cold. Polished leather shoes, probably in brown.
If unsure then always wear a suit (unless it's for a building site etc!).
If workplace is smart casual then I would still wear a suit. There is a small chance this could go against you but it's a much lower risk than being marked down for not wearing a suit when the other candidates do. In an interview being underdressed is worse than being overdressed and showing that you made an effort.
If the letter states that the interview is smart casual then I would go for trousers and a shirt. I wouldn't wear a tie but I would wear a sports jacket or blazer if I had one (a sports jacket in this context is simply a more casual version of a blazer - not a leather jacket etc). If you don't have a sports jacket/blazer then remove your casual jacket before the interview or wear a v-neck jumper if it's cold. Polished leather shoes, probably in brown.
If unsure then always wear a suit (unless it's for a building site etc!).
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The email says "Dress code is smart/casual." under the bit describing the format of the interview. The workplace dress code just seems to be smart/casual or even just casual, lots of people wear jeans.
Actually when I went for my job interview at my current company the invite said in no uncertain terms to definitely NOT wear a suit so it depends on the workplace environment. Now I interview for the same company I would expect people to follow that dress code too.
If it says to go in smart casual go in smart casual, not a suit.
I attended all of my interviews in jet black jeans, a white shirt, a black/silver striped tie, and a black blazer. All things I had sitting about at home aside from the blazer which was £20 from Asda. 
All of the interviewers said I looked very smart, and I ended up getting the second job I was interviewed for.
This is for second line/specialised IT support related jobs.
As mentioned above however, if you turn up 'over-dressed' when you were specifically asked to wear smart casual clothing, it may reflect negatively.
All of the interviewers said I looked very smart, and I ended up getting the second job I was interviewed for.
This is for second line/specialised IT support related jobs.
As mentioned above however, if you turn up 'over-dressed' when you were specifically asked to wear smart casual clothing, it may reflect negatively.
I attended all of my interviews in jet black jeans, a white shirt, a black/silver striped tie, and a black blazer. All things I had sitting about at home aside from the blazer which was £20 from Asda.
All of the interviewers said I looked very smart, and I ended up getting the second job I was interviewed for.
This is for second line/specialised IT support related jobs.
As mentioned above however, if you turn up 'over-dressed' when you were specifically asked to wear smart casual clothing, it may reflect negatively.
The image that description paints in my mind is not even close to very smart, you obviously pull it off better than I can imagine!
It honestly didn't look that bad. You would have to get quite close to notice that the trousers were jeans, or to notice that the blazer was dirt cheap.
As they have set out the instructions then I would follow them and go in trousers, shirt and brown leather shoes. I would be inclined not to wear the suit trousers and not to wear a short that you would normally wear under the suit - it will look just like you have removed the jacket and tie.
Maybe some khaki or taupe coloured trousers with a plain blue shirt or if you do wear a white shirt then choose the fabric to be a little heavier or has a pattern and is less suit-like. If it were me then I'd also put a sports jacket or navy blazer over the top. But it would have to be something that didn't look like I was emulating a suit (e.g. make sure there is a contrast between the trousers and jacket).
