Need help with what to wear to an interview.

Not saying to wear a tux but, you can never be overdressed for an interview IMO.

 

These are great pointers guys. Thanks

 

Wear the suit anyways.

Ive seen some crazy shit people wear to interviews.

Jeans, sandals and an untucked short sleeve plaid shirt was the worst so far.

Needless to say they chose someone else...

Girls on the other hand can wear nearly anything and it seems fine as long as she's appropriately covered up.

 

I think enough guys have already responded to wear the suit since you already have it. I agree.
However, in addition, just as important, make sure you are well groomed. I don't know what you look like, but a neat hair cut, shaved (or trimmed beard) and clean shoes go a long way.
Most important is how you handle the interview and questions - "Yes Sir", "No, Sir" type good manners. Confident handshake when you meet them, look them in the eyes when you talk to them....

GOOD LUCK! Let us know how it went.

 

In some places I have worked it seemed like NOT appropriately covered up is what did the trick, based on the girls working there who have absolutely no skills but still dress the way they probably interviewed.

But that's off topic - back to OP...

 

It depends on what the industry is but in public accounting for example, business casual means business casual. A suit is considered business professional and you would look odd coming to the interview in a suit. I would go nice button down long sleeve shirt and slacks if I were you. No tie, top button undone but don't let your undershirt show. You'll be set!

Good Luck!

Also, to address the "better to be overdressed than underdressed" statement. It is better to be perfectly dressed the way they tell you the dress code is. However, If you decide to wear the suit and everybody else is business casual, it is easy to simply leave the jacket in the car and take off the tie.

 

I have given a lot of interviews for management and suprevisory positions. Durring this I have seen guys come in dressed from very casual to sharp suit and tie. The way you dress IS the first impression so it is important. A suit is fine as long as it not obviously outdated and it fits you properly. When we did interviews often the person was called from his present job so he may have casual tecnician clothes on and that was fine. But as you are going to the interview specifically FOR that purpose dress nice.

The most important thing is to relax. Half the people we interviewed were clealy anxious/nervous and while we don't hold that against them it is difficult to get a read on them. And one more thing, if you are a person that talks a lot try not to rattle unless they ask you more detail.

Make sure everything on your resume is correct, we had to verify stuff if they progressed past the first interview and about 25% of people embelish (lie) on their resume. Get the years works at the past few jobs, and schools attended infomation spot on.

Getting the interview in the first place is your first hurdle and you made it! Best of Luck to you.

 

Yea I'll be shaving my face. It'll grow back I'll also be getting a hair cut the night before the interview. I'm pulling out all the stops for this interview. This is the start with a company I can have a life long career with.

 

BTW, Good luck Tyler!

 

Thanks joe

 

The email may well have said business casual, but if the interviewer is wearing a suit, you're fucked. Wear the suit and you'll be good either way. Short sleeve shirt, subdued tie, and no bling. Bring a pen and a pocket notebook. Turn off your cel phone.

Do not mention your buddy or his contact in the company, unless asked. Even then, you're better off to downplay your contact rather than to be a name dropper.

Know the company and be prepared to show how you are the right candidate for the job. Choose your words well, and don't rattle on.

Many interviewers haven't a clue as to how to properly conduct an interview, but regardless, go with the flow and find your sweet spot to make a positive impression on him/her. Show your confidence, but know your place and let the interviewer set the pace of the conversation.

 

Along with the interview is a list of who is interviewing me and their position in the company.

You guys are a ton of help.

 

Always wear a suit to an interview. It just shows you go above and beyond.

Edit: Just read the comments. Suit it is.

 

Even tho I said "never can be overdressed", this line of your post has had me thinking all day. Are they testing you? Do they want to see if you'll follow instruction? Am I reading too much into it?

 

1. Your'e in the south.

2. You need to differentiate yourself from the competition.

 

You're...

Okay, sorry Scott. I don't get this chance often...and he's not in the real "south" anymore.

 

LOL touché.

Back East is anything east of the Sierra Nevada.

Down South is south of Pensylvania.

 

Didn't read through all responses but... wear. the. suit.
Always better to be over dressed than under and shows you're serious.
I had one interview where I came in a suit and the guy who interviewed me happened to be out in the field all day (forestry company) and was in double fronts and a work tee. Regardless, he was impressed that I had made the effort and even told me so. The worst is to be the least dressed up when going into a workplace. It screams "I don't know what the hell I am doing and don't fit in."



Besides, who doesn't like wearing a great suit?

Edit: Just don't go for the tux or dinner jacket either... then you look like an idiot. Even a smoking jacket is likely out of place.

 

False. Business casual is dress pants, a button down collar shirt and either a tie or sport coat. There isn't a whole lot "casual" about business casual.


Op, I have never gone into an interview dressed business casual. Dress for the job you want not the job you are interviewing for. Nobody is going to think negatively about you dressing up for the interview. If you want to keep it light use some brighter colors and a personal type of tie, not a banker's color palate.

 

You better be doing a ton of research on the company, the industry, and the people on the panel via linked in and company profiles of available haha. That kind of shit is gold. Also make sure you have a bank of situations that highlight key points from previous employment.