[Closed] What to wear to a Job Interview?

Lucky Thong

decent suit, no tie then. dont go dress like a chav.

i wouldn't wear jeans to an interview

you've got to make an effort

wear jeans when you get the job

if you're going to wear your birthday suit make sure it's ironed 😉

The discomfort of feeling "overdressed" pales into insignificance at the discomfort of being "underdressed".

Wear a suit.

How about Chinos?

Always suit, you can never be overly smart. If the interviewers or other interviewees are dressed more casual, then break the ice by saying you weren't sure what to wear, wether to go smart in a suit or wear a boiler suit and smear some grease on your face so it looks like you know watt you're doing.

I've worn "interview trainers" before, it didn't work well.

Its a little different for me as most interviews I go to involve an assessment day which can get a bit physical. Last one I did I was advised to dress "smart/casual" which could mean anything from shirt no tie through to jeans and polo shirt to me so I went in my normal work uniform, figuring if nothing else it would scare the other applicants into thinking I was better than I was.

i'd wear a suit to any job interview. once you get the job it's a completey different stor, but defo suit for an interview.

if in doubt suit, at least it shows you want the job and have taken some time to get ready. i have been to a couple of interviews where it is dress down friday, so you do feel a bit overdressed when they are wearing jeans.

Wear what you expect the interviewer to wear.
I assume you've done your homework and know what the staff wear on a day to day basis and what they wear in front of customers.
The mech engineers I used to visit ranged from jeans a T-shirt to suits.
I'd go with a suit.

100% a suit

wear a suit you will never ever fail t get a job just because you wore a suit.. All other options,no matte rhow smart, risk you loosing the job due to wrong attire. They will just think you made the effort and appreciate it IME.

I always interviewed wearing a suit and tie even though I never wore them to work. Some people get quite upset about people wearing acceptable work wear to an interview as they think it shows a lack of effort from the start

Suit.

You can always take the jacket and/or tie off if you feel over-dressed.

Better they're thinking "he's a bit smartly dressed for this" rather than "he could have made an effort"

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meat suit?

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I once went to a job as an outdoor instructor for Glasgow council - and the reason given for me not getting the job is I wore a suit, and it was felt I was overdressed...!

Having said that, I would always suit it for a interview still.

I had an interview this week. Company I had been working for was in process of going bust. I went along to the interview after work in work clothes (jeans, shoes and polo). My workmate went for the same position the following day before work, so got suited up. I felt a bit worried seeing him turn up to work afterwards really looking the part. I needn't have; i nailed that sucka 😀

I have never worn a suit, but have gone for the very smartest version of my normal work attire.

I have done my background work (very hard, as its a very small niche company). the job I am going for is a fabricator/welder/general engineering.

i have settled on suit trousers, white checked shirt, dark blue jumper and a set of shoes.

If it's fabrication, then I think a suit would be ott. What you've suggested I would think would be fine.

And good luck. 😉

Thanks!!

Your final suggestion sounds right.

Glad you decided to drop the jeans.

Good luck with the interview 🙂

plain white shirt, no jumper. ever.

I dont have a white shirt. this is the plainest shirt I own.

hmm. unless the interview is early, you should have time to buy one. doesn't have to be expensive, as long as it's clean & ironed.

TBH i think the shirt i have will be fine. It looks like this but the lines are fainter.

[img] [/img]

should be ok. As you say, it's not a desk job.

oh, and good luck 🙂

Look,as good as it is,everybody will have a variation on that outfit you mentioned.You need to stand out;so why not turn up in a gas mask,flippers,and nurses uniform.That way you will definitely stand out,and the interviewers will remember you when it comes to discussing the candidates. 😀

I was going to say suit but after you've clarified the job your latest choice sounds good.
good luck too!

I cannot say suit and tie LOUD ENOUGH. I work for a international company, and while we don't recruit on Mont Blanc pens and leather attache cases, attention to detail at the first stage is noted, it IS suggestive of whether you will go the extra mile. No interviewer will mark you down for looking good but.....

also another question that has come in to my head is: what do you call the interviewer??

I was going to go for Maam and Sir, unless they tell me otherwise.

is that to much??

i think this is something that has been installed in me from the army.

I was always told to wear a suit to any job interview. It shows respect to the person interviewing and respect to the process of interviewing.
I'm a fabricator/engineer myself and have had interviews where the guy asking the questions has been in little more than vest and pants, I've always made the effort. It does seem to be an industry where people expext to be able to turn up in jeans and jumper though...I'd say suit and bring boots and overalls for any site tours or trade tests.
Good luck though!

what do you call the interviewer??

Depends how they introduce themselves and address you, I doubt that sir/ma'am will come into it.
If they introduce themselves as Mr Smith, use Mr Smith. If they use Bob Smith, I would say it's OK to call them Bob.

Working as an Engineer and having been on both sides of the interview situation I would always say suit.

If some one turned up to an interview whether a fabbie or a lead engineer wearing Jeans and/or no tie I'd assume that they simply weren't serious about the job....

No matter what the position, [i]always[/i] a suit, Suit ftw.

Suit, end of. Always.

No-one would accuse you of over-dressing if you are in a suit at a bloody job interview ffs. However you could very easily be accused of under-dressing if you're not.

I've been interviewed by people wearing no shoes. That means I can dress down when I work there, not before.

and the reason given for me not getting the job is I wore a suit, and it was felt I was overdressed...!

Excuse. Councils have to interview outside people sometimes even if they want to give the job to someone internal. So they fob the external interviewees off.

I went for a job in a bar, didn't wear a suit- got the job.
I went for a job at HSS HIre shops, didn't wear a suit- got the job.
I went for a job at Brown Brothers, didn't wear a suit- got the job.
I can think of plenty of examples where wearing a suit wouldn't be appropriate.
The extreme examples above are perfect, there is an inbetween from suit to jeans you know.
There is a strong probability that the OP is going to be interviewed by the owner, from the info given, who will be more interested in the guys abilities and not his fashion sense. What would happen if he was asked to demonstrate his ability and was reluctant because getting the Paul Smith dirty wouldn't be an option?
Get your middle class heads and preconceived ideas out of your middle class asses!
I've seen some pretty sad states in suits and some pretty keen workers in casual, while making an effort and showing enthusiasm is good, the suit is not the be all and end all.
Whatever next? No job because the guy has tattoos? 🙄
Where is Shibboleth when you want a nice rational opinion?

I always wear a suit to interviews, with a plain white shirt, and a plain or stripped tie, if it's a stripped tie then the colours arn't loud or garish, and polished shoes.

When I'm interviewing it is either suit or work uniform depending on the job.
But then I expect the candidates to have made an effort, proper shoes not dark trainers or ugg boots or even worse crocs, smart trousers or skirt but no jeans, a smart ironed shirt or blouse. I also look for the male candidates to wear a clean tie.
If it's a customer facing roll, things like visable tattoo's, visable piercings and makeup all play a part.

At the end of the day it's down to the interviewer

I always wear a suit when interviewing or being interviewed, same as I would always wear one for meeting new clients. I tend to rock the nice shirt, nice trousers and good coat for normal duties during the week.

POLISH YOUR SHOES!

Often overlooked, nowt makes you look more scruffy!

things like visable tattoo's,

That is quite strange from my POV, I have a student who is the supply chain director of one of the largest supermarket chains in the world who has 4 dots tattoed on his knuckles. He also teaches on MBA and other university courses. I think he is quite good of his job too, but I'm not sure!
It would have been a shame for you to pass him over simply because of his tattoos.

I'd reject a candidate who couldn't spell properly or used poor grammar on the application form.

I'd reject a candidate who couldn't spell properly or used poor grammar on the application form.

Surely that is against EO. If some one is dyslexic (which I am but getting better) and states that in there application form then you cant discriminate against them.

Get your middle class heads and preconceived ideas out of your middle class asses!

Well the original post said the job was for a Mechanical Engineer and contrary to what many people think an Engineer is a professional position and would mean a suit at an interview. The clarification post of

fabricator/welder

Surely that is against EO. If some one is dyslexic (which I am but getting better) and states that in there application form then you cant discriminate against them.

My comment wasn't directed at you, sorry if I've offended, it was for luke. 👿

no it has not offend me at all!!

I understand that there are certain jobs that require the applicant to be able to spell and punctuate correctly. BUT you cant dismiss some one with out seeing them just because they cant spell or punctuate.
😉

BUT you cant dismiss some one with out seeing them just because they cant spell or punctuate.

Get your middle class heads and preconceived ideas out of your middle class asses!

Well the original post said the job was for a Mechanical Engineer and contrary to what many people think an Engineer is a professional position and would mean a suit at an interview. The clarification post of

fabricator/welder
means that it's not a professional engineering role. Given the original post those recommending a suit were correct.

I agree with this. Shows what's wrong with the UK where 'engineer' can mean such a wide range of skills/knowledge.

Get your middle class heads and preconceived ideas out of your middle class asses!

Nothing middle class about a suit ffs!

Shows what's wrong with the UK where 'engineer' can mean such a wide range of skills/knowledge.

Lol, what utter tripe!

Shows what's wrong with the UK where 'engineer' can mean such a wide range of skills/knowledge

Bull Shyte!!

Wasn't a reference to the suit. 😆

It was a reference to this.

Shows what's wrong with the UK where 'engineer' can mean such a wide range of skills/knowledge

Shows what's wrong with the UK where 'engineer' can mean such a wide range of skills/knowledge

Bull Shyte!!

I class my self as a engineer. I am a skilled metal worker, carpenter and fibre glass constructor. Im In the Corps of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

I see a problem and overcome it using my range of skills. I work from technical drawings and draw technical drawings.

I understand the workings of mechanical equipment and how to repair it.

i think i can class my self as a engineer/fabricator/welder/carpenter/fibre glass engineer ETC.

I understand the workings of mechanical equipment and how to repair it.

i think i can class my self as a engineer/fabricator/welder/carpenter/fibre glass engineer ETC.

Whilst not wanting to denegrate your skills, and they certianly exceed mine in some areas, I think that the institute of mechanical engineers would disagree with you unless of course in addition to those skills you have a degree or have passed their exams.

Whilst the phrase "it shows what's wrong with the UK..." contains unnecessary hyperbole, it is true to say that were you not in the UK but somewhere like North America or most of Europe, you would not be able to call yourself and engineer and would face legal sanction if you did.

oneoneoneone,
As above, no one can deny that you are skilled. But that's not the same as what an 'engineer' is in many countries. Some could say that this means that 'bright' students don't go into 'engineering' and do something like banking instead. Whether that explains why, for example, we don't have a large car industry, and Germany does, I'll leave for other to argue about.
By the way, I'm not an engineer.

Shaun,

You will be fine with suit trousers, shirt, jumper, polished shoes and a shave.

We'll have the engineer discussion tomorrow 😉

Good luck dude.

LOL, see you tomorrow or are you about tonight for a beer??

Don't worry about all that 1111, go and enjoy the interview and good luck again, see what I mean about the middle classasses!
FWIW I was an engineer for a while, it said so on my business cards, it also said Ba(hons) and that was true, so I must have been an engineer too.

it is true to say that were you not in the UK but somewhere like North America or most of Europe, you would not be able to call yourself and engineer and would face legal sanction if you did.

So? Engineer is simply a word and it is not understood in this country to carry any kind of meaning other than a vague one to do with technical things. So it gets used for lots of jobs.

Doesn't really imply any sort of de-valuing of skills, does it? Which is what I think you were getting at. If it DID represent a certain level of quality to most people and then people were allowed to go around using it despite not being of that quality, then that would be bad. But in this country we are good about such things in general.

In summary, Engineer is not a protected term (afaik).

Well that went smoothly!!

Very hopeful now have to wait a week whilst they interview 1 other person.

good luck, hopefully the other candidate will have asked for advice from mumsnet

Lets hope.

after having a look around there workshop it looks very much like a place i would love to work!!

suit everytime, shouldnt even be asking this question to be honest 😉

if I had worn a suit I think I would have been laughed at!! my attire was spot on IMHO.

Dear oneoneone,

Thanks for your time today. We really liked your skill set but you are too bone idle to bother putting on a suit even for one important day so that makes you scum in our eyes. Go and jump off a bridge.

Yours,

Not-so-potential employer.

😆