Job Interview Dilemma - Some help please!!

chouglez

chouglez

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,817
Edit My Images
No
If a prospective employer confirms a job interview date and time and add "Please also note that we have an informal dress code" at the bottom of the email, does one dress in suit or go dressed informal, like jeans and a smart shirt. Someone out there, please help.
 
always better to err on the side of smart
you could get away with wearing a suit

you can always explain
a) "it's a casual suit"
b) "I would rather be a bit too formal until I know the rules"

take a tie just in case
if you get there and everyone else is wearing a tie you can recover

c) ring them to confirm

would you rather
be the only one in a suit when everyone else is casual?
OR
be the only one casual when everyone else is in a suit ?
 
Many thanks everyone. Have taken your advice on board and will dress appropriately. :D
 
Best of luck with the interview too! :)
 
Always ALWAYS suit! You will not give a bad impression by being overdressed.
 
steve.82 said:
Always ALWAYS suit! You will not give a bad impression by being overdressed.
Click to expand...

But may get marked down for not paying attention to the information he was given.

Generally I'd agree but in this case it was specifically pointed out.

Lots of "new media" industries are informal all the time.
 
Hmmm maybe.

In the interview for my last proper job I felt like a bit of a **** turning up when everyone else in the office was in jeans and t-shirts, but I got the job :)
 
PsiFox said:
steve.82 said:
Always ALWAYS suit! You will not give a bad impression by being overdressed.
Click to expand...
But may get marked down for not paying attention to the information he was given.

Generally I'd agree but in this case it was specifically pointed out.

Lots of "new media" industries are informal all the time.
Click to expand...
:agree:
They want out of their way to mention informal attire so avoid the suit. It might make a difference to the answer, what job is it you're going for?
 
Just a thought, but perhaps would it be worth a quick recce trip to the work place (perhaps at lunch time) to observe what the staff are wearing and then dressing appropriately....


Oh and GOOD LUCK :thumbs:
 
I ran recruitment in a big busy office for years and interviewed hundreds. Our letters said the same but I ALWAYS noticed and appreciated when someone wore a suit, it instantly gave me the impression that they really wanted the job.... first impressions count!... I also always noticed who turned up in jeans and couldn't help thinking they didn't make much effort! It certainly doesn't make a difference in the decision making but it does have an instant effect on how your perceived to be.
 
That can work two ways Annie the interviewer could look upon it as a case of not reading the invite correctly? i'd say dress up smart with a shirt as take a tie along with you in your pocket, dont wear jeans but smart trousers.

Interview I went to the other week we was all offered the same wage and I've found out from a loose tongue the person who got the job actually said he was willing to take the job 4k below the offering price!

Good luck and let us know how it goes :thumbs:
 
While going for the interview you must wear simple dress which looks professional and suits your personality well and always be confident while attending the interview.
 
Wear a suit, if they ask why you didn't come casual you say

"This is casual, if I'd dressed smartly I'd be wearing a top hat & tails"
 
Kev M said:
Wear a suit, if they ask why you didn't come casual you say

"This is casual, if I'd dressed smartly I'd be wearing a top hat & tails"
Click to expand...

Haha, like it :)

You could also read that statement in the email a bit differently. What they are saying is they only require informal, however wearing a suit will give the impression you're willing to put a bit more in than the bare minimum that's asked for.
 
Mowgli said:
That can work two ways Annie the interviewer could look upon it as a case of not reading the invite correctly? i'd say dress up smart with a shirt as take a tie along with you in your pocket, dont wear jeans but smart trousers.
Click to expand...

I never once thought that... much better for a candidate to go "above and beyond" and make a good first impression than to misinterpret "we have an informal dress code" to mean, come in your casuals.
 
I've worked places with informal dress codes, where I've worn scruffy trainers, jeans and t-shirts.....but there's still plenty of people wearing shirt/tie/suit. You'll never look bad wearing a sharp, well fitted suit.
 
I read this as on a day to day basis, the job will not require formal attire. I would say suit personally.

anniephoto said:
I never once thought that... much better for a candidate to go "above and beyond" and make a good first impression than to misinterpret "we have an informal dress code" to mean, come in your casuals.
Click to expand...

You only get one first impression! Make it a good one :thumbs:
 
I know a bloke who went for a job as a car engine test engineer withing Ford's testing and development centre. He went dressed in a smart suit, being confident and quite knowledgeable about engines, his interview went very well. He was told his was one of the best interviews they had ever had and more or less gave him the job there and then but would let him know in due course. He never did get the job and his feedback on his interview was, "looked and dressed very smart, would be better suited to a job in the office". :lol:
 
I was always told to dress at interview one level above normal at their place of work - so they wear jeans & t -shirt you wear trousers & shirt etc..etc.

Good luck with the interview

Hugh
 
Suit with shirt and smart shoes, but with no tie ;)

Smart, but not entirely formal.
 
I think it may also depend on what job your being interviewed for, factory floor then perhaps dress casual, office or management and I would certainly go for suit or at least shirt tie & trousers.

Perhaps you should ask yourself how you’re going to feel if everyone else ignores the casual bit and turns up looking smarter, better dressed than yourself?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top