job interview, fashion conundrum.

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job interview, fashion conundrum.

93 posts & 47 voices | Started 1 year ago by juan | Latest reply from juan

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juan - Member

Ok here is the question for the STW:
What is the conundrum about job interview etiquette regarding the clothes.
I know for sure it won't be a suit as first I don't own one, second they don't suit me (see what I did here) and third it's in june in the south of France in a place with no air con (plus it's an IT job so people don't expect you to be that smart).

So it will be smart trousers and short sleeve shirt. Now shirt will be white. Trousers will be either brown or black. The black on looks a bit more formal, however, the shoes are brown. I would go for the brown one to match the shoes, but maybe the STW head-hunters collective know better than I do.

Posted 1 year ago #
jam bo - Member

if its a job in IT, the fact you havent spilt your breakfast down your t-shirt should be a head start.

Posted 1 year ago #
Edric 64 - Member

No not brown shoes with black trousers,and wear a tie with a proper Windsor knot !

Posted 1 year ago #
KINGTUT - Member

Never ever wear brown shoes with black trousers.

Wear the brown trousers and try and find a tie.

Posted 1 year ago #
tails - Member

I recently was "apparently" turned down for a position due to not wearing a suit. Find out what they where and dress the same.

Posted 1 year ago #
KINGTUT - Member

It has to be said, not wearing a suit to an interview is pretty bad form.

Posted 1 year ago #
ernie_lynch - Member

I've got nothing to suggest other than .......... beware of the fashion faux pas.

Creating the right impression is so important.

See if you can pick up any tips from this clip :

Robin Hood - Men In White Suits

Posted 1 year ago #
Edric 64 - Member

If you do wear a suit and tie try not to wear it like a footballer !

Posted 1 year ago #
IvanDobski - Member

Roger Moore style safari suit?

Posted 1 year ago #
juan - Member

Find out what they where and dress the same.

Well I know one of them and that would be a fashion faux pas...

Posted 1 year ago #
mogrim - Member

What level IT job? There's a world of difference between a junior programmer and a senior manager...

Assuming it's the former, I'd risk a short sleeve shirt. As long as a) no logos, b) it's ironed and c) no tie. Particuarly no tie.

Black shoes, dark trousers, everything clean and ironed, no earrings, shaved and neatish hair.

Posted 1 year ago #
franksinatra - Member

I would always wear a suit to any job interview. White shirt, look sharp. Forget about what other people are wearing, they already have a job!

Posted 1 year ago #
LeeW - Member

I interviewed someone last week for a job and they turned up in a a very smart suit and a pair of Reebok Classics.

The perils of interviewing in Liverpool.

Posted 1 year ago #
flippinheckler - Member

Don't be like The Special One! Do your tie up.

Posted 1 year ago #
Edric 64 - Member

I have my own business cleaning bus shelters for councils which is a dirty shitty job but on the first visit to meet a client at their office it's always collar tie and jacket.First impressions always count even if the next time they meet me I am in hi vis and filthy.

Posted 1 year ago #
deft - Member

Christ don't wear a short sleeve shirt

Posted 1 year ago #
mogrim - Member

It's IT. I wouldn't have any problem hiring someone who turned up for a junior position in a neat short sleeve shirt and dress trousers.

Assuming no tie, of course: that's for bus drivers.

Posted 1 year ago #
pop larkin - Member

Surely if it's a job in IT it is de rigeur to wear a comedy tie

Posted 1 year ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

Juan - you have disappointed me! Every man should own at least one beautifully fitting suit - obviously shirt, tie and shoes must be tastefully co-ordinated and spotlessly clean.

Bon chance.

Posted 1 year ago #
john_drummer - Member

I'm with Frank on this one. but this being the south of France, I guess the suit should really be Linen

and I'm in IT by the way. No comedy ties here

Even if you never wear the suit for the actual day to job, you have it for other interviews, weddings, christenings, funerals etc. Doesn't have to be expensive either

and yeah, brown shoes should ONLY be worn with a brown suit. But whatever the colour, they should be freshly polished

Posted 1 year ago #
angryratio - Member

Considering m and s will fit you up with a linen suit for less than 100 which would do the job i would head down that route.
Failing that, john lewis do a machine washable lightweight beige suit which would be smart for 160.
Perfectly adequate for the job.

Simple tie, and shirt sorted.

Posted 1 year ago #
matt_outandabout - Member

meh, I was turned down for a job as I *was* wearing a suit once.

Posted 1 year ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

But Juan is in the South of France!

Avoid linen - too lounge-lizard like. Bryan Ferry wouldn't wear one and he's the original lounge-lizard! But he looks fab in a dark suit.

Posted 1 year ago #
crikey - Member

Dear sweet Jesus.
Juan, you are French, yes?
Why on gods earth are you asking these knuckle dragging morons about an issue of style?
If I were Mr Sarkozy id kick you out of the country a tout vitesse...

Posted 1 year ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

A suit is an essential item in a man's wardrobe. I'm shocked that some of you don't possess one!

crikey - yes, I agree with your comments. Juan would look lovely in a suit, just don't go for a pink shirt.

Posted 1 year ago #
mogrim - Member

Avoid linen - too lounge-lizard like

B******s to that, I looked f******g hot in my cream linen suit today!

Posted 1 year ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

Pics please.

Posted 1 year ago #
mogrim - Member

It was 32C here today, anyone would look hot in a suit and tie today

Posted 1 year ago #
john_drummer - Member

A suit is an essential item in a man's wardrobe.

I concur. I have 3 or 4. Don't wear them very often but mrs_drummer says I scrub up ok

Posted 1 year ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

mogrim - fair enough!

john_drummer - listen to your good lady then.

Posted 1 year ago #
mogrim - Member

3 or 4? They'll be the winter ones, then. How many for summer?

Posted 1 year ago #
john_drummer - Member

summer? in Yorkshire? heh heh

Posted 1 year ago #
Northwind - Member

I don't wear a suit to interviews. TBH I hate the things, they make me feel like I've been dressed by my mum for the school photo, and that's the last thing you need in your head at an interview. You should be smart, sure, but comfortable and confident. There's also an argument that if 10 identi-candidates in identi-cheap job-interview-suits turn up for an interview, the one who turns up looking more comfortable and like he's got an independant thought in his head might stand out. Possibly in a bad way, possibly in a good.

It does depend if you're applying for a "suited" position, if you want to be a merchant banker or an undertaker or a hitman or something. But I'd say myself that if the role's never going to see you in a suit, you shouldn't feel the interview needs to either.

Of course, I have a s**t job so what do I know?

Posted 1 year ago #
iDave - Member

i haven't owned a suit since 1990

i only own one tie which i keep purely for sentimental reasons and own only jeans - no trousers

yet i've been a director of a plc, and done some high profile work stuff around the world

maybe looking like everyone else is useful in some settings but i can't see the point personally

Posted 1 year ago #
john_drummer - Member

maybe looking like everyone else is useful in some settings but i can't see the point personally

get rid of the jeans then

I have no denim in my wardrobe, haven't had since 1983.

yes, that's right - no jeans (well, not denim ones anyway) - my legs don't suit blue jeans

Posted 1 year ago #