Interview Attire?

[CRG]

I have a job interview coming up and I'm unclear on what I should wear. Let me preface this by stating that the industry is very casual, with most owners wearing business casual attire. I've never seen my current boss, the company president, in a tie.

I'm thinking of wearing a nice, long sleeve shirt, some inexpensive, but clean black dress shoes, a black belt and some sort of slacks. I'm most unclear about the slacks and where to buy them. I have chinos, but I think they're too casual.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[The Accountant]

I am "old school" when it comes to interviews; I would wear a suit and tie to the interview even if I knew the dress code was business casual whatever that is. Having said that I would suggest a nice long sleeve dress shirt, wool slacks and a navy blazer. Shine your shoes, get a haircut if needed and of course a good shave. go easy on the fragrance or maybe skip it completely. Once you have the job figure out what business casual really is at the office. Good luck.

 

[CRG]

Thanks for the response. I don't currently own a suit, so that limits me to slacks and a long sleeve dress shirt. I don't wear fragrance and I will definitely shave. I also have a cut scheduled a few days beforehand.

 

[PDman]

I vote suit and tie. I would invest in one if you can. Doesn't have to be high end. But every man should own at least one suit. (and as many DE's as their heart desires) It's an investment in your financial future. If current finances prohibit that then at least pick up a tie along with a pair of dress slacks. Shine those shoes too. Set yourself apart in the event that "others" adopt the casual attire for their interview.

 

[MrMurphy]

I previously worked in the game business, where casual is the rule.

The interviewers were in (male) polo shirt and shorts with sandals and (female) jeans and a t-shirt. Ironically I later ended up working for both of them.

I showed up in $1,000+ Italian suit.

97% of the interviewees were at most in a dress shirt and khakis.

The impression was made, given my background and resume they understood I was not typical and VERY serious about the job. My previous job had been military related and I showed up (same suit) for the first interview where the interviewer was wearing khakis and a Hawaiian shirt (normal for him, every day). Second interview I was in a shirt and tie with slacks. Owner of the company basically said "why are you still wearing a tie?" I said "it's still a job interview". He respected that. Day to day wear was jeans/polo shirt or t-shirt, but he understood coming from the military what I meant.

Dress shirt, slacks, tie and shined shoes/haircut at the minimum for you in your case. Ties and slacks don't have to be expensive. I once bought a dress shirt, slacks, socks, and a tie for under $70 from Ross and it was suitable for a company event with guys responsible for hefty chunks of the world's gaming population, the kind who can send an email and have entire countries annoyed.

Considering the CEO of the company in question (personally worth in the high millions) normally wore hoodies and shorts, this was a formal 'dressy' event. I still did fine.

 

[CRG]

Thanks, guys. I would have no problem financing a decent suit, but it really would be overkill in this situation, even to the point where I'd feel uncomfortable just showing up wearing it.

I can see wearing a tie perhaps. Any suggestions on color combinations for shirt, slacks and tie? I'm not at all sure what's in style at the moment as far as ties go. I have a pale complexion if that helps.

 

[CRG]

Any suggestions on where to shop would also be appreciated. I'm just outside of San Francisco, so lots of options.

 

[dfigz]

You never get a second chance to make a GOOD First impression ... Wear a Suit Preferably navy blue with white shirt and solid or mild patterned tie.

Watch the politicians and or national news anchors on TV when they give their broadcasts or news conferences. That is a decent dress code to follow.

 

[Saxman11290]

In terms of colors, darker, more conservative colors are typically worn for interviews, but it seems like you are not in the typical conservative interview situation. I think a white or light colored dress shirt is still a good base-line, and perhaps a navy blue or solid red tie would look clean and direct. For slacks, I find a nice pair of charcoal grey or navy blue slacks are a good investment and will be very versatile in the future. Those darker colors are more conservative, while tan or lighter colored slacks are typically avoided for interview situations, but perfectly acceptable for normal wardrobe use. Depends on how "conservative" you want your dress to be for the interview.

Perhaps, if you are comfortable, and clarified as to which industry you are interviewing in, some members familiar with the industry might be able to give you more direct advice.

Good luck with the interview!

 

[CRG]

Thanks, Charlie. Great suggestions.

The field I'm in is a sub-sector of agriculture and the job is for a senior management position within the company I'm interviewing for.

Regarding shoes, is black still fine with charcoal slacks, or would a brown shoe look better? I know, I know....probably worrying too much about the details.

 

[nodnerb]

As the code might be casual, you might get more (non-interview) wear out of a sportscoat than a full suit. Plus, you will look slightly more casual. Whichever you choose, make sure you get one that fits you in a flattering cut.

 

[Austin]

Any suggestions on where to shop would also be appreciated. I'm just outside of San Francisco, so lots of options.

Check out consignment shops. You may be able to score a nice suit for the price of a cheap one. Good luck.

 

[Kazeryu]

Thanks, Charlie. Great suggestions.

The field I'm in is a sub-sector of agriculture and the job is for a senior management position within the company I'm interviewing for.

Regarding shoes, is black still fine with charcoal slacks, or would a brown shoe look better? I know, I know....probably worrying too much about the details.

Perhaps it's different where you are, but personally I would never even consider brown shoes with charcoal pants. No matter how much some people argue that wearing something other than black is more classy in the right situation, the fact is that black is, at the very least, always "safe".

My 2 cents, anyways.

 

[daflorc]

I always wear a dark grey suit with fine white pin striping to interviews. French cuffs feel sophisticated. Black makes me feel like I'm going to a funeral. Don't wear a 3-piece suit to an interview, you'll look like the best man at a wedding.

A suit says that you respect the job and the interviewer, that you are a professional, and that you want the job.

Slacks and a dress shirt says that you are interviewing for a job in the trades (plumber/carpenter/electrician). Or that you're so damn valuable and smart that you know that they already know they're going to hire you as that IT guy who's going to fix their website problems for them, and your attire is irrelevant.

In my industry (editorial) showing up without a suit and tie screams "I don't know what the hell I'm doing - if I did, I'd of worn a suit."

 

[Saxman11290]

With charcoal slacks, I would go with black shoes. I tend to reserve brown shoes for my tan and beige pants, but you would be surprised that a lighter brown shoe can complement a black suit if worn properly (that's a little off-topic, and probably controversial as there is an unstated "rule" about how your shoes are always supposed to be darker than your pants)

Don't sweat the details that much. Just make sure you match your belt color to your shoe color. If I ever see that, it's always a clear sign someone either doesn't care about how they look or doesn't know what they are doing. But then again, it's not entirely correct to judge people by their clothes. However, in your interview situation, you want to avoid errors like that which can be easily avoided.

 

[imleftyoureright]

If you get a suit, or at least a jacket, I would just suggest getting it tailored. If it fits you well it will look more natural and it will be less likely you will look overdressed, just well dressed. My two cents. Good luck to you.

 

[ouch]

Get a suit. It's useful for your next interview and as incentive not to gain weight.

Casual is for after you get the job.

 

[brewer]

I usually wear a suit but all depends the occasion. I still vividly remember an interview with the manager of a parts supplier for garages who really made a remark to me because I was overdressed for the occasion. Needless to say he never called me back and I didn't even want the job after that.
Just a simple tip If you want to buy just one suit. Bet thing is to buy a plain black one. Suits all kind of occasions can be combined with many different shirt colours and will usually not be out of style next year. You can usually keep it for many years

 

[Fatboy]

Suit and tie always for interviews and important business meetings. Don't be uncomfortable be proud that you are willing to go the extra mile that so many won't go these days.

 

[Samurai-5]

Get a suit. It's useful for your next interview and as incentive not to gain weight.

Casual is for after you get the job.

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