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Interview - Suit or...
 

[Closed] Interview - Suit or not

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[#196925]

For job interviews, who would wear a suit and who wouldn't?
Interviews are for IT work, software developer & consultancy, currently working but time for a change, north of england, none of this city 8ull$h1t.

Thing is I think suits often look stuffy and that a snappy modern shirt, tie, trousers, shoes, are much more appealing. When I interview in my current role I dont discredit anyone who doesnt wear a suit, but would you?


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:07 pm
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Suit, definitely a suit.

Your showing you're serious about the role and you are also showing respect for your future employer..

(If your suit is scruffy get a smarter one!)


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:09 pm
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[i]a snappy modern shirt[/i]

Thanks, don't call us, we'll call you.......

😉

Suit up. Make an effort.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:10 pm
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agree - must be a suit but not one that makes you look like 'The Accused'


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:12 pm
 Drac
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Smart is good that's all I looked for on first appearance when doing interviews, just because you wearing a suit don't mean you good at your job.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:14 pm
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No but if your not wearing a suit you may not get the opportunity to prove the latter!


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:16 pm
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I wore a suit on my wedding day but never have since, including job interviews.

Smart shoes, trousers and a shirt. I wear a tie for interviews too, but don't for anything else.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:16 pm
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No but if your not wearing a suit you may not get the opportunity to prove the latter!

I wouldn't want to work anywhere that made their recruiting decisions based only on whether someone was wearing a suit.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:17 pm
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SUit without a doubt in that field of work. Bar job, fair enough but for IT etc, defo decent suit. Asda have one in fo £19 at the minute and it's a reasonable cut! If you'll only ever use it for interviews, why not?


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:18 pm
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This is just me but I would wear a suit. They do not have to look stuffy in my mind.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:19 pm
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miketually, you would be instantly rejected from a very large number of jobs, so there's no need to worry about if you want to work for them or not!


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:19 pm
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a £19 suit 😯


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:20 pm
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uplink - Member
a £19 suit

WTF? £19? It may well be a [i]"reasonable cut"[/i] but WTF is it made of? Binliner?


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:21 pm
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I wear a tie for interviews too

Well, in fairness, if you wear a tie, you might as well wear a suit. Things change and I know not a lot of people wear a suit these days but for an interview, I'd definitely wear one. I've been in situations where I've felt both overdressed and underdressed (Jeez, haven't we all) and I know which feels a hell of a lot more embarrassing.

Oh and hello everyone, happy new year and all that. Just getting over the jetlag.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:21 pm
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[i]I've been in situations where I've felt both overdressed and underdressed (Jeez, haven't we all) and I know which feels a hell of a lot more embarrassing.[/i]

Well put! (and, welcome back, old chap!)


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:22 pm
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What I don't understand is why you're happy to wear a tie, but think suits look stuffy. Personally I'd far rather put on a jacket than throttle myself.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:22 pm
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When I undertake interviews I think a suit looks smart whereas a shirt and trousers doesn't IMO.

It's what you're comfortable with but professionally speaking a suit is the way to go 🙂


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:24 pm
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But it shows that you've made an effort and you understand the rules! A future employer will be looking at you and thinking, hmmm he's not bothered wearing a suit for this, what will he wear to turn up on a customer site..


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:25 pm
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A clean well fitting suit is a must...

And what deadlydarcy said...


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:25 pm
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The only time I've not worn a suit to an interview was when I wasn't fussed if I got the job or not. I still got the job so that proves nothing. If I wanted the job I'd wear a suit as it's not just about being smart but unfortunately employers can base your attitude on what you wear.

I would never, ever wear a snappy, modern shirt. Does that have a big collar and geometric prints? Anyway classic, undertstated works best.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:26 pm
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I had the embarrassment of turning up to my grandfather's funeral in Taunton last year having left my suit jacket in a hotel in Leeds. I ended up popping into Asda and buying an entire dark suit for £25. It may not last, and I wouldnt want to wear it week in week out, but was absolutely fine for a day and looked like any other suit really.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:26 pm
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Ah, got to love this country, with it's anachronistic customs...

Personally, I wouldn't risk not wearing a suit, or at least a shirt, tie, jacket and smart trousers and shoes. It's almost the law, really, for most jobs. The only interview I've ever gone for, casual, was for a retail position, and i'd already had a good chat with the boss, so virtually had the job anyway. Wore just a short-sleeved shirt, casual trousers and sandals. It was middle of summer, and 90+ degrees. The boss was wearing t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops! I think only in scorching heat, could you be excused a jacket, reallly.

Silly, though, isn't it? that most people wouldn'tgive a toss whether you wore a 'suit' or not, yet it's still not a good idea not to.

'Making the effort' is the key, really, and wearing the 'uniform' displays that.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:27 pm
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theres always the jacket and tie option with co-ordinating trousers....not a suit but a good halfway house and potentially smart!!!!!!...............unless you wear cords!!!

Everytime I interview someone in a shirt,tie and trousers I always wonder where the hell the jacket is ...especially if its cold....if you have to wear a coat at least make it a jacket but I too prefer someone in a suit!!!!


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:30 pm
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I have a sneaking suspicion that in an environment where suit wearing is mandatory people are able to tell that a suit cost £19 and react accordingly. But that may not be right.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:30 pm
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Personally I'd far rather put on a jacket than throttle myself.

Get a shirt that fits properly then.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:30 pm
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it's about creating a great first impression rudeboy


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:31 pm
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Aleigh, would you give me the job, if I wore my....

....Birthday Suit?


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:31 pm
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Yup, I would always wear a suit for an interview. For my current job I had one of my interviews on a saturday morning in a local hotel because that was the only time my interviewer could do, but I still wore a suit.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:31 pm
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theres always the jacket and tie option with co-ordinating trousers

What you mean like a suit?


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:32 pm
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Wore just a short-sleeved shirt

A mate of mine started a job where all the blokes were a bit Nazi about what everybody wore. If you were a bit "underdressed" you'd better not have been the sensitive type. On one particularly hot day, he wore a short sleeved shirt with a tie to work. The first thing that was said to him was "Morning mate, where'd you park your bus?". Now I'm not saying it was right to say this but it was bloody funny and I've never worn a short sleeved shirt with a tie since I heard it.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:32 pm
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PMSL @ Darcy.....!


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:35 pm
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I'm sure rudeboy if you were to attend an interview for a nudist camp, that choice of (non) attire would go down a treat - but in answer to your question I wouldnít interview you full stop!


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:37 pm
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[i]The first thing that was said to him was "Morning mate, where'd you park your bus?"[/i]

Yeah, but he could have responded by saying 'in your mum's crack', and they could have had a proper vicious fight, using sharp office equipment, and it might have resulted in some quite serious injuries.

But you'd guarantee, no-one would ever be an arse over someone else's dress sense, again.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:37 pm
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Suit as no one will NOT give you the job because you wore a suit they might NOT give you a job because you did not wear a suit though.... ignore this if you do not want to work with such shallow people.
Think it is nonesense but been on a panel where the best candidate did not get the job due to attire nonesense but so is work really.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:39 pm
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[i]I wouldnít interview you full stop![/i]

(runs away sobbing) 😥

Heartless woman.

Truth is, you know I'd take your job, innit?

No point denying it, love.

I'd let you stay on as my secretary though. I'd let you make me tea. 😉

(Runs away as fast as possible, before Aleigh can find a heavy or sharp object...)


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:43 pm
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But you'd guarantee, no-one would ever be an arse over someone else's dress sense, again.

I think the comment was taken in the spirit in which it was intended.
using sharp office equipment

I believe a paper cut may have been delivered using some A4


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:44 pm
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After being the worst dressed person in my office for some years, I have recently been relieved by another member of staff who has decided to cultivate the appearance of Mr Tumnus, right down to the little horns.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:55 pm
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Wear a suit, if you're over dress then so be it, but much better that than being under dressed.

As someone who interviews a lot of people i would rather someone was in a suit with an open shirt and no tie than trousers, shirt and a tie. A suit just looks better however you wear it.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 3:59 pm
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Mike

Nobody should ever base their recruitment decisions on whether somebody wore a suit or not and that is not what I said.
It may however put you at an unnecesary disadvantage by not wearing a suit and imo its naive to think that recruiters/employers will ignore your dress and focus solely on your experience and qualifications, although we all know that these are the most important factors.

Its a box that you need to tick however If you feel strongly about it make your own choice.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:00 pm
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"Heartless woman. Truth is, you know I'd take your job, innit? No point denying it, love. I'd let you stay on as my secretary though. I'd let you make me tea"

Yeah dream on rudeboy - you couldn't do my job!

And as for being your secretary and having a boss like you, firstly I'm not a skivvy to anyone and secondly you'd probably end up wearing the cup of tea 😆


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:03 pm
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It's not just ticking a box though anyway. Not wearing one conveys all sorts of messages about unwillingness to fit in, not being prepared to put in that bit extra, etc.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:03 pm
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A nice suit can be had for £100 from M&S, it'll fit well and look good. Dress up, polish your shoes, wear long black socks and ensure clean nails.

If they wanted to see your Panama shorts and t-tank top they would've asked.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:04 pm
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You can easily dress down, it's less easy to dress up. Is something my Gran used to say, I guess meaning if you arrive for a job interview without having researched the dress code of the organisation, then you can easily take off your jacket and tie, but if you're not wearing them, then you can't 'magic' them from somewhere. I've rarely worn a proper 'suit' for an interview, but then I'm female and it's easier for us to do 'smart' without necessarily wearing a full on matching jacket and skirt/trs.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:06 pm
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I dont think it conveys those messages at all. We can all give examples of suit wearers who are not team players and pony tailed "wacky" types who are.

I dont necessarily think it should be necessary to wear a suit for an interview but I think you are mad not to as in reality if you are in a position senior enough to make recruitment decisions you are likely to be older and probably consevative.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:12 pm
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For the position you're applying for I'm surprised you have to ask.

Suit 100%.


 
Posted : 07/01/2009 4:16 pm
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