More specifically, fashion advice! I'm interviewing for a job tomorrow morning that would be a huge upgrade for me. I'm used to just having to wear a work uniform, so looking sharp is not something I'm good at. I just need some tips. All I've got for dress clothes at the moment is a pair of gray slacks, a trio of button down shirts (black, white, and gray), a couple ties, and plain black dress shoes. What matches? What doesn't? Does my belt need to match the shoes?! I'm lost, help me!
dress "up one" from the position. that means if the people in your position wear jeans to work, you should wear kakis and a nice button shirt. if they wear kakis and a nice button shirt, you should wear slacks and a tie. get what i'm saying? and YES, YOUR BELT SHOULD MATCH YOUR SHOES! regardless of where you are going.
First you need to go buy yourself a suit. It doesn't have to be an expensive one either. Always wear suits to interviews no matter what, even if it is casual atmosphere. But for your case: Gray slacks White or blue shirt Simple blue or red tie Dark socks Black shoes Black belt That combination will work well. And the belt always has to match the shoes.
This may sound weird, but whenever I'm going to interview for a job that I really want, I would drive over there the day before the interview, normally around the time people go to work or get off work. This permits me to find the place in advance so that I won't get lost the next day and be late to the interview. And it also allows me to see what the work attire is for the company. It's always good to dress nice, but there is a such thing as over-dress, and it could lead to an awkward interview. So knowing their dress police in advance allow you to have a ballpark idea on what to wear.
Great idea! I also agree with redefined, although I think a very casual suit could be in order. In Austin, something casual with a bit of style would be cool, but Austin is one of the most laid back cities I know. "Fly casual," as Han Solo would say. Unless you have a resume that's aces, wearing a sport coat and tie, at least, shows that you really want the job and can dress whatever part they might have in mind. That's why I like your scouting idea. Figure out how the land lies and make your plan of attack. (wish I'd thought of that a few decades ago!)
RULE #1) It is better to over-dress than under-dress. If you look in the mirror and go "eh, good enough" then you've failed miserably. You should be saying "is this too much?" Rule #2) find out what the company culture is. startup IT company or Wallstreet? shoe color must match belt. if you're buying new clothes: suit pants are sharper than off-the-rack. go to a men's warehouse or joseph a banks store and look for unfinished slacks. they'll tailor it for you with the perfect length and waist. I'd wear a shirt, undershirt, and dress shoes when trying on pants to simulate game-time sizes. cost me a pretty penny though ... $90 a pair ... you may find it for less. I'd pay that price again though cause they look damn nice. I generally go to Ross for dress shirts. get something with color, the younger you are the brighter that color can be. stay away from club-going type colors though ... like those purple shirts that fade to black when you look at them from a different angle ... and stay away from red in general. Depressing colors also suck. Blue's safe, but EVERYBODY wears blue, if you're looking to stand out, wear something else. Blue's a good fall back. try a couple on for size. I'm 5'7" 155lbs .. I wear 15 32/33 size. I like them to fit slimly ... I'm not a sailboat, i don't need all that extra fabric in the back that flies around in the wind. Men's warehouse can probably get you into the right size also. when they say "what size are you" just say "i don't know" and they'll get the ball rolling. They'll help you match a tie also. Ross has shirt&tie boxes that make it easy as well. either clean shaved face or well trimmed and maintained. If you go shopping, take a girl ... a picky girl.
That's not always the case. I have a friend once went to interview with an IT company. They told him to dress casual in the e-mail, but he didn't listen. So that day he showed up with a suit while the interviewers were in their shorts. He said it was very awkward for him, and the interviewers were kind of making fun of him for that.
if you are told specifically how to dress (I have never heard of that) I would definetly not go much different. should have went business casual.
I have had similar experiences. I interviewed at a big ad agency several years ago and wore a suit. The lady who interviewed me specifically told me not to dress up so much when I came back for the second interview. More recently, I've been told that my wearing suits to meetings makes the executives uncomfortable. Apparently the "creative types" aren't supposed to look like businessmen or else it throws off the balance of the Universe or something.
Late to the thread, but... I always wondered why people have to be so DRESSED UP for an interview when a nice polo and slacks will do. In your case, gwatson86, have you seen how they dress at the place where you will be interviewing? Maybe something CLOSE to what they wear there will be OK and just a tad "up" from what they wear will be fine, too. Sometimes, I see peeps come in for interviews with a TIE and a SUIT and all that jazz, but then they start working here, and they come in with T-Shirts and jeans most of the time. What is up with that...? Why not just wear something casual/everyday-ish to the interview, and not just "trying to impress" with how you look? I think the way you look counts, but not as much as what you say or how you say it in the interview. That's just my 2 pennies. Above all, I hope you do well on your interview.
Does this company exercise CASUAL FRIDAYS??? If so, you might want to reconsider showing up in a full blown suit. This happened to me when I interviewed for the job I currently have. I left my job (casual dress every day) changed into a skirt, blouse, and heels ( ), and showed up at the place, looked around at everyone in JEANS and realized that some khakis and some less "dressy" shoes would have probably done me better - let alone I would have been more comfortable!
That would have been the perfect time for him to poke some fun at himself. show them your personality. I have found that often times, people want to know your personality as well as your skill set. Arguably, your personality is most important. You can be taught how to do the job, you can't be taught your personality. I've been to a LOT of interviews lately from working contract work, and just moving jobs. I wear a suit and tie, each and every time. If you are overdressed, it's ok. It just shows you are serious and really want the job. Believe that if you decide to not wear at least a tie, someone else interviewing for that job most certainly did. My best advice is to just be honest, and be relaxed. You know what you know, and be honest about what you don't. I've had most of the companies that extend offers to me say, "We liked that you were upfront about what you knew and what you didn't know. You seem like you would be a great fit culturally on our team." Ask them questions. Don't dare say you have no questions when they give you the chance to ask them questions. That shows no interest in their company, work environment, and the job. Be confident in your skills, and show your enthusiasm for the job. Afterwards, send them an email just thanking them for their time, and reiterate that you think it would be a mutually beneficial situation for the company and yourself, etc. etc.
Just make sure everything you wear is white - shirt, pants, shoes... and yes, belt. It will remind them of Don Johnson and that always makes people happy.
Exactly. DON'T wear a shirt other than white and a red tie with a very conservative pattern is good. Wear a dark suit if all possible. Comb hair, shave your goatee, mustache, beard or whatever. Preferably black shoes but cordovan shoes will do. Don't go in there with light brown loafers or you will look like an ass clown. BELT MUST MATCH. Make sure your socks match your pants too and that the pants aren't highwater and show skin over your socks when you sit down. Make sure your nails are trimmed. Do not wear cologne. Maybe some light aftershave. Oh, and DON'T **** IT UP. EDIT: Looks like I'm late
It's better to be overdressed than under dressed....If you get there and its more relaxed you can always take your suit jacket off. You really need to invest in a suit more than likely you will need it in the future again I swear. Every man should own at least a suit or 10.
