What to wear to a job interview

[Edge]

That's my question...I have an interview Wed...kinda for my first "real job" I'm looking for since I just graduated with my degree in accounting. I have read so many peoples opinions online and asked a few friends and they all give me different advice. I'm going to probably get a dark blue dress shirt, black dress pants, black belt, and black shoes...which i assume will look pretty good. The real question comes in jacket and more specifically tie. I really don't want to wear it...mainly because I always feel like I'm choking when wearing a tie...and I want to be as comfortable as I can in interviews. I don't know if just because I don't wear a tie that I'm not going to have a shot to get the job...or what. A few people have told me they'd wear a jacket and tie just cause they just think it can't hurt to wear at least to the interview. Others have told me (including someone who has seen the site of hte place I'm going to and works in the area) that "people don't wear ties much anymore"...and told me not to wear a tie. She said maybe you can wear a jacket if you want but no tie. I know these days things have changed and companies for the most part have become less dressy. My uncles used to wear ties to work everyday...now they really don't get that dressy like they used to. I want to be comfortable yet I don't want to get automatically rejected in their mind just cause I don't have a tie. I think it should be more about what I say than if I have a tie or if they like the color of my shirt. I feel like I'm not going there dressed in jeans and a tshirt lol...I've read on some site that going for a specific computer related job some wore shorts and a tshirt and got the job (I would never go that far even going to McDonalds for an interview) while others said they wore suits and dressed so much that some people laughed at how overly dressed they got. Anyone with any advice...appreciated.

 

[nowayjose]

With a suit+tie you aren't overdressed for an office job interview even if you don't have to wear a tie for work once you got the job. Noone will hold it against you if you dress conservatively for a job interview.

Another hint: Make sure your (brown or black leather) shoes are clean and polished and you wear black socks. Very important.

 

[german]

Its confidence you got to wear in my opinion...but for clothing a jacket is a must and if you WANT to go the tie option; get one that is close to your shirt colour - matching or close to it...I didn't go the tie and I got the job...

If you look respectable, got the right education (courses and degrees etc) and confident about yourself you should have no problems...

Good luck man...

Ku5t

 

[minerva]

While your qualifications and your performance during the interview will be most important, wearing a suit and tie will certainly not hurt at all. You have no way of knowing if dress codes are important to the people who are going to interview you. Should there be several candidates with same qualifications, if might make a difference. Why take the risk?

May I also suggest not to wear a dark blue shirt with black pants/suit 🙂

Good luck!

 

[lespieds]

I have laways heard that one should dress appropriately for the position.
So for something like a labor job, you would not need the whole suit and tie act, but if by "real" job you mean office position, then yeah the suit and tie...

I overdressed for the job I have now. Not a jacket but a suit and tie. For the job, some warehouse bullshit, one does not even need a clean shirt.

 

[steph]

Right. Anyone who laughed is either A) an asshole or B) someone who didn't get the job. Suck it up, wear the tie, being "traditional" is never unacceptable. I once convinced a dear (male) friend w/waist length, gorgeous hair to cut it BEFORE the interview~he wanted into management. "Do it," I told him, "it's how you'll show them how badly you want the job." Guess who landed the gig? MM hmm...
XOXO

Dress to impress... wear a tie at the VERY least. I tend to recommend a suit because it shows you're serious about the position.

While it's true that work attire is more casual these days you need to dress up for an interview.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Yes, you do have to wear a jacket and tie. When it comes to choking you, the key is for the shirt to be big enough that the top button isn't too tight on you, because the source of choking is the top button of the shirt, not the tie. I hate those rituals, and there's good reason not to approve of them, but as one writer I worked with years ago so astutely noted, you don't have to approve of the law of gravity, but you still have to know how it works.

I have the good fortune of living near a very fine Goodwill thrift store. That's where I get my costuming for such occasions.

 

[giantfan121262]

I concur with everyone else. You MUST wear a suit AND a tie, no doubt about it, especially for a professional position. I don't know who would laugh at being over dressed, but to me, that persons IQ is a few levels short of a moron.

My recommendation is this

A navy blue or charcoal gray wool suit (pinstripes are cool)
A white or light blue shirt (no stripes)
a red paisley tie
Spit shined black leather shoes with black socks
and a black leather belt

I have gotten jobs with that combo. You cannot go wrong. It's a corpaorate, professional look which also gives the look of someone who appears driven for success. Also, as German pointed out, if you know you look good, that will breed confidence as well. Looking good makes you feel good. An interviewer will judge you from all angles, and how you look will set the tone in the attitude of the interviewer towards you. If you don't have it, splurge. It's the best investment you can make.

Good luck in the interview. Let us know how it went.

 

[venray]

Wear the jacket and tie....I have been interviewed and performed interviews many times in my 30 years in business....

That is the proper way to dress for a business position especially in accounting...

 

[asutickler]

I work in internal operations for one of the largest financial companies in America, and (due to certain unavoidable circumstances) I showed up for my interview wearing a slightly wrinkly short-sleeved shirt, no tie and a pair of khakis. All of the other interviewees in the lobby were wearing suits, but none of them were hired.

Still, I have to go with what the majority is telling you: Wear a nice looking suit and tie... Just don't think that the way you're dressed is going to land you a job all by itself. 🙂

 

[LindyHopper]

A good rule of thumb I've heard is to dress one notch above the typical attire for the work setting and position you're applying for. If the standard workplace "uniform" is something like khakis and dress shirt (no tie), then you should go with dark slacks, dress shirt, and tie, but no jacket. If the standard attire is dark slacks, dress shirt, and tie, add the jacket. If that's what everyone else is wearing, go with a full suit. But if most of the employees are wearing jeans and T-shirts, go with khakis and something decent (non-logo!) on top. You get the idea. 🙂

Good luck with your interview! 😎

 

[Barlow]

The majority of responses in this thread have been accurate. Anything can rub an interviewer the wrong way. It is always OK to overdress for an interview.

But you may have another option. If you know the hiring manager or the company has a Human Resources professional and you have his or her number, you may call him or her and simply ask what type of dress is recommended for an interview. Good Luck

Barlow

 

[drew70]

A tie is mandatory for a job interview. Also a jacket of some sort. A suit is best, but if you don't have one, wear a nice sport coat.

Whatever you do, DON'T wear a kilt!

 

[storyteller]

Accounting and corporate = TIE, as the majority has "voiced." Liked giantfan121262's suggestions for attire. Laughed that the popular pale yellow paisley of several years past has been replaced with a red one. (In Houston in late 80s and 90s you could identify the corporate accountants by their dark navy suits, white shirts, and pale-yellow paisley ties--lawyers too).

May I also suggest, if you have one, a simple coordinating tie tack. I'm a fan of the tie tack. My Dad had several and I've always found them a nice added touch. Plus, they keep your tie down in the wind AND out of your plate should you be invited to lunch.

Good luck with your interview. Might want to take a white cotton handkerchief or two along to wipe your hands on IF you're nervous and your hands sweat. Definitely IRON at least one, fold it, and put it in separate pant's pocket from the one you use to wipe your hands on--just in case someone else might need one, you can whip it out. If you're going traditional, might as well go all the way.

 

[Icycle]

A tie is mandatory for a job interview. Also a jacket of some sort. A suit is best, but if you don't have one, wear a nice sport coat.

I don't think it accurate to say that a tie or jacket is mandatory. When interviewing for a software engineering position at a hip West Coast computer company, slacks and a nice button-up shirt is probably adequate. If I saw someone show up for an interview in a suit and tie, I would wonder if they were interviewing for the right company/position. On the East Coast, things are probably quite a bit more formal. Likewise positions in a financial services, consulting, or similar company are also more formal than most IT or software engineering positions.

I think Lindy's advice is right on. You should try to aim one notch above the typical office attire of the people in a similar position at the same company. Feel free to ask the human resources department for advice.

Whatever you do, DON'T wear a kilt!

Unless you are interviewing for a job in Scotland, I think this is pretty good advice!