Interview attire - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dee8go · #1 05-02-2006, 11:05 AM

I've had the same job for a long time, but I'm looking for another (sales) job now. I have heard it said that you should always wear suits to job interviews.

I rarely if ever wear a suit anymore. I usually wear something like gray or tan slacks, tie, and sport coat or blazer. Do any of you have an opinion about the best course to take? Does it really matter that much? I usually try to dress however my clients dress. In this case I am not sure what the standard may be.

Thanks for your input.

suginami · #2 05-02-2006, 11:19 AM

I think I would dress what is appropriate for the job or company that you are interviewing for.

There are very few situations now where the suit is still worn. My company got rid of wearing suits in 1999, and ours was one of the last to make the switch.

If the people in the company you are interviewing at regularly wear suits, then I'd wear a suit.

When in doubt, I think you have to dress up instead of dressing down.

koop · #3 05-02-2006, 11:30 AM

You want the two button navy blue suit, white shirt, conservative tie, black lace up shoes. Think Brooks Brothers. There is no debate.

aklim · #4 05-02-2006, 11:36 AM

How about this. Go to the company and see what the attire is for their senior positions and go with that. IOW, if the interviewer or people of that class are wearing a tie, wear one. You cannot go wrong with overdressing. However, underdressing is a problem since there is not a 2nd chance to make a good first impression.

boneheaddoctor · #5 05-02-2006, 11:46 AM

If you are going on an interview wear a suit....even if the job doesn't require you to wear one.

I mean...if you show up looking like Pauly Shore just how serious do you think they are going to take you. Wearing a suit is as much a show of respect as it is trying to show your best side. Now if you are going to interview as a line manager at McDonalds then maybe it won't matter so much.

aklim · #6 05-02-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

If you are going on an interview wear a suit....even if the job doesn't require you to wear one.

I mean...if you show up looking like Pauly Shore just how serious do you think they are going to take you. Wearing a suit is as much a show of respect as it is trying to show your best side. Now if you are going to interview as a line manager at McDonalds then maybe it won't matter so much.

Line manager, I would. Burger flipper, no. Clean and decent clothes would be fine then.

How about a clown suit?

jlomon · #7 05-02-2006, 12:56 PM

Wear the suit. I work as a headhunter and that is what I advise every single applicant that interviews with one of my clients. It doesn't matter what the company's standard of dress is. It doesn't matter how the interviewer is dressed when they sit down across the desk from you. A first interview is entirely about the employer making an initial assesment of you, and like it or not, whe we interview people we are predisposed to think better of them when they are dressed professionally. This would be especially true in a sales role, because a salesperson is really selling themselves as much as their product or service. First impressions are everything.

Matt L · #8 05-02-2006, 12:58 PM

You don't need to wear a suit to McDonalds or similar places, because they don't expect talent. They expect warm bodies who can mostly follow procedure.

Any real job interview requires a suit. Doesn't need to be an expensive suit, but it should fit. It's traditional, and you'll stand out without it, not in a good way.

kerry · #9 05-02-2006, 01:01 PM

It all depends. . .
We interviewed all day last Friday and one of the finalists did not wear a suit.

Wes Bender · #10 05-02-2006, 01:21 PM

It has been quite a while since I did any hiring or firing, but I always felt that the person who bothered to dress in a suit cared just a little bit more about getting the job. In the actual selection process, I was usually more interested in the person's qualifications rather than in the way they dressed (within reason of course). In the case of a tie among applicants, however, the better dressed would usually get the job.

In business situations involving customers/clients, you always want to dress just a little bit better than they do. Don't overdo it though.

Good luck.

Wes

Dee8go · #11 05-02-2006, 01:55 PM

The consensus seems to be that erring on the side of over-dressing is much better than under-dressing. That's what I thought. Thanks for your input, guys. I guess I'd better go shopping tonight.

BTW KerryEdwards, what do you do for a living? You're in CO, right?

suginami · #12 05-02-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koop

You want the two button navy blue suit, white shirt, conservative tie, black lace up shoes. Think Brooks Brothers. There is no debate.

Excellent advice. Brooks Brothers is classic styling. Timeless.

aklim · #13 05-02-2006, 02:06 PM

BTW, cross dressing is not a good idea for most jobs.

Dee8go · #14 05-02-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

BTW, cross dressing is not a good idea for most jobs.

You're saying I should wear the pants rather than the skirt, then? Boy, you certainly saved me from a serious faux pas! Thanks, aklim!

aklim · #15 05-02-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

You're saying I should wear the pants rather than the skirt, then? Boy, you certainly saved me from a serious faux pas! Thanks, aklim!

Yep. Lose the stockings and garter belt with the panties that have the crotch cut out and the demi bra with the half unbuttoned shirt. That is unless the inverviewer is a cross dresser too.