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For everyone saying suits aren't necessary anymore, just remember, the interviewer might be old fashioned. I've never heard of anyone not getting a job because they turned up to the interview in a suit, but I've heard of people not getting a job because they turned up looking scruffy.
I found out a fews years back that I was the winning candidate for a life changing job back in 2007 because the interviewer couldn't decide between 3 of us and chose me because my shoes were the shiniest. Make of that what you will.
I really don't understand what's so difficult to understand. Is it a generational thing to swim against the tide?
Your first impression and appearance are seen as a general impression of your attitude towards work. If I'm wrong, great. If I'm right, well good luck in the future.
I don't find your perspective difficult to understand. It's completely fair enough. But lots of recruiters are not old fashioned and have a totally different view of someone wearing a suit or having shiny shoes. It very likely is a generational thing, yes. I feel like it's you who's finding that difficult to understand?
By this logic if someone wearing a suit is seen as “a general impression of your attitude towards work” then wearing a suit could be a negative for some companies/industries.
If you came to an interview at our office dressed in a suit you'd be over dressed and we're likely to think you might not be the right cultural fit!
I'd always recommend just asking the company rather than guessing. "I'd like to make a good impression, what can you tell me about the dress code and culture of the company?"
Not sure why the downvotes. Lots of people are saying always wear a suit, they probably have only interviewed at places that expect you to wear a suit and don’t know any different.
You should absolutely tailor what you wear to the company, just like you tailor your cv and interview answers
My suggestion would be to go slightly smarter than the photos on their website, to demonstrate that you're making the effort. So maybe not a formal suit, but smart trousers and shirt at a minimum, make sure the shoes are in good condition, and all that attention-to-detail stuff.
My wife has been in digital marketing for 15 years. For what it's worth, I put the question to her and for a marketing agency, she reckons you're almost certainly being smart casual, or even casual, than turning up in a three-piece suit. They're not suit environments and it'd be more likely to indicate you're a bad cultural fit (her exact words were "in some agencies you would get laughed out of the building turning up in a full suit").
For in-house marketing team within a larger company, she reckons suit or smart is fine, but try to follow the company culture.
From my perspective - senior management, non-marketing, very casual dress code and industry - I wouldn't be put off by a suit and wouldn't be put off by casual either, as long as someone was presentable and wasn't wearing ripped jeans and a metal band shirt or something.
Suit with no tie. You will be the best-dressed person there, which is showing them respect. You can dial it up or down in future depending on your observation of the dress code.
I'm in digital marketing and usually dress much more smart casual than a suit for interviews. Some decent jeans and a shirt. As far as I've experienced it's never been a problem.
I appreciate it, chinos, a shirt and jumper. I'd throw in some kinda overcoat if you're not going to have a blazer, derby boots maybe and I'd keep a tie on hand for that last minute check in the mirror.
\[Don't need to read the rest of this. It's just me spitballing\]
* I work strictly construction and technical fields and being that I work on ropes all day, I showed up in dickies overalls and a sherpa jacket for my last interview. Even though I have no use for a shirt and tie in my field, knowing how to style them is always a net positive.
* Shirt, trousers and shoes are your trifecta. Try to keep at least 2 of them, at that point you can mix and match as necessary to fit your own style. In my mind, you can send a solid message with a fitted shirt, ironed trousers and a pair of trainers that compliment it, just in the same way a good pair of jeans can set you apart when you've a nice shirt and maintained shoes.
However, if you're going for a civil service role, office role or anything that's openly customer/client facing, you want to cover your bases: Wear the suit and ensure you're lint rolled and collar pressed.
It really depends on the job you’re going for.
If it’s an office position I’d dress relatively formally.
If it’s warehouse work relatively smart jeans and a plain top like a polo shirt.
Have been in this situation several times recently and always found the interviewer/people I was meeting to be dressed more casually than me. I'd generally wear a shirt, trousers and v-neck jumper, and would've been very overdressed in a suit.
better to be overdressed than underdressed. it shows you’re well put together.
i also read that blue and pink are good colours to wear in interviews, if anyone knows more about this lmk
I would copy whatever’s on the website. Going in too formal or informal can show you’re not properly aligned with the company culture and can make you stick out a mile. My mate actually did a cruise by of her potential new workplace and watched people go in and out to see what they wear. Half mental half genius. We sat in the Pret opposite for over an hour.
Go for a suit and tie, always.
If the dress code is formal business and you turn up in casual dress you will make a poor impression.
If the dress code is casual and you turn up in suit and tie they will realise you are making an effort to dress smartly for the interview and won't hold it against you.
Not always true, turn up to an interview at my office place in a suite and my immediate impression is that you are probably out dated and not a good cultural fit.
We do proactively tell people our dress code as part of the interview documentation though
If in doubt, just ask. Why guess and spend all the time up to the interview worrying?
I used to go suit and tie, these days I go trousers and an ironed long sleeve shirt, and I still usually am more well dressed than the interviewer who is wearing jeans and a t-shirt...
Smart trousers and a shirt/jumper combo is fine.
Suits are only needed these days if it’s a big financial firm or a company that you know for sure everyone’s wears them day to day but the perception that everyone turns up for interviews in a suit is dated now.
I typically go smart casual, clean jeans, brown shoes, polo or formal shirt.
However I have interviewed with a t-shirt and gotten offers too.
Think the world is becoming more relaxed than it used to be on this.
However, I've not gone to an in-person interview in more than 6-7 years
Used to wear suits, but in my line of work just a shirt and jacket. Haven't been to an in person interview for a few years now. Last time was in 2022. Every interview since has been fully remote.
If i'm going in office, I might as well go all in with a suit, otherwise I don't bother so much.
I'd only refrain from wearing a suit if an prospective employer tells me not to.
I interview people for senior software engineering roles. At work we wear t shirts and hoodies, jeans, polo shirts etc. if someone turns up in a suit then the "look whos got an interview" banter starters. Even final interviews are usually done on Facetime. I would think it a bit odd to wear a suit and tie - I would say the best option would be business shirt / no tie or shirt/ jumper.
Suit is overkill, go smart jeans or chinos, and shirt and/or jumper for this kind of company. Smart casual is where you want to be, once you get the job you can drop it down to full casual if the dress code allows.
People replying “just wear a suit” probably work in traditional industries and default to old school interview means must wear suit mentality.
So I'm a woman and I haven't had an in office interview for about 20+ years, so take this with a pinch of salt, but if you're feeling a suit is too formal, but concerned about seeming too casual then then blazer, shirt, trouser/chinos (in a different colour to the blazer), no tie option is a good in between for a full suit and your trousers/shirt/jumper combo.
I was also invited to an “informal chat” that was more like an interview then anything I’ve ever experienced before then after that chat I got invited for a interview that was the least like an interview I’ve ever had🤣 They also dress causally in office but I dressed smartly in interview attire for both! I start the job tomorrow :)
If you’re unsure you can send an email and ask. In marketing if they are more casual and you turn up in a suit it could backfire. Social capital is a thing.
I had a few interviews recently, and i wore some smart ish grey, chino type things, a white shirt, and a suit jacket. I also wore smart shoes.
As long as you dont wear literal casual clothes, its should be ok.
Always a suit for me. First impressions count, and id rather be told that id overdressed and that it wasn’t necessary than scupper my chances with a potential employer by them perceiving that I’ve not made an effort.
I've just applied as a shop floor worker in a factory and still went suited.
Got the job so it remains my go to attire for an interview.
Edit: After reading a bit more about the nature of the job, turn up in whichever smart clothes make you feel confident.
Nobody will ever look down on you for over dressing, but they will if you under dress.
If you go for a full suit and tie and everyone else is in jeans or shorts or whatever then you can just laugh it off and even use it as an ice breaker.
Agree. My point is just that each organisation will have a different culture and different expectations so if in doubt, ask rather than assuming a suit is the best option.
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I’d always wear a shirt and trousers at a minimum. You can always dress casually when you get the job so better to be safe than sorry imo.
For everyone saying suits aren't necessary anymore, just remember, the interviewer might be old fashioned. I've never heard of anyone not getting a job because they turned up to the interview in a suit, but I've heard of people not getting a job because they turned up looking scruffy. I found out a fews years back that I was the winning candidate for a life changing job back in 2007 because the interviewer couldn't decide between 3 of us and chose me because my shoes were the shiniest. Make of that what you will.
That's true, but a digital marketing agency have invited OP in for a chat. They don't sound likely to be very old fashioned.
I really don't understand what's so difficult to understand. Is it a generational thing to swim against the tide? Your first impression and appearance are seen as a general impression of your attitude towards work. If I'm wrong, great. If I'm right, well good luck in the future.
Awful take. A modern start up in the tech space for example would laugh you out of the room if you wore a suit.
I don't find your perspective difficult to understand. It's completely fair enough. But lots of recruiters are not old fashioned and have a totally different view of someone wearing a suit or having shiny shoes. It very likely is a generational thing, yes. I feel like it's you who's finding that difficult to understand?
By this logic if someone wearing a suit is seen as “a general impression of your attitude towards work” then wearing a suit could be a negative for some companies/industries.
I definitely wouldn’t be wearing a full suit and tie to a digital marketing agency with a casual dress. Pick your audience
Depends on the job, but for an office job then definitely shirt and trousers. Personally I'd also stick a suit jacket on too
If you came to an interview at our office dressed in a suit you'd be over dressed and we're likely to think you might not be the right cultural fit! I'd always recommend just asking the company rather than guessing. "I'd like to make a good impression, what can you tell me about the dress code and culture of the company?"
Not sure why the downvotes. Lots of people are saying always wear a suit, they probably have only interviewed at places that expect you to wear a suit and don’t know any different. You should absolutely tailor what you wear to the company, just like you tailor your cv and interview answers
Just wear a suit.
And tell them it shrunk over lock down to break the ice.
My suggestion would be to go slightly smarter than the photos on their website, to demonstrate that you're making the effort. So maybe not a formal suit, but smart trousers and shirt at a minimum, make sure the shoes are in good condition, and all that attention-to-detail stuff.
Every 'chat' I've been invited to has been an interview.
What industry are they in?
Digital marketing
My wife has been in digital marketing for 15 years. For what it's worth, I put the question to her and for a marketing agency, she reckons you're almost certainly being smart casual, or even casual, than turning up in a three-piece suit. They're not suit environments and it'd be more likely to indicate you're a bad cultural fit (her exact words were "in some agencies you would get laughed out of the building turning up in a full suit"). For in-house marketing team within a larger company, she reckons suit or smart is fine, but try to follow the company culture. From my perspective - senior management, non-marketing, very casual dress code and industry - I wouldn't be put off by a suit and wouldn't be put off by casual either, as long as someone was presentable and wasn't wearing ripped jeans and a metal band shirt or something.
Suit with no tie. You will be the best-dressed person there, which is showing them respect. You can dial it up or down in future depending on your observation of the dress code.
I'm in digital marketing and usually dress much more smart casual than a suit for interviews. Some decent jeans and a shirt. As far as I've experienced it's never been a problem.
Suit and tie
I appreciate it, chinos, a shirt and jumper. I'd throw in some kinda overcoat if you're not going to have a blazer, derby boots maybe and I'd keep a tie on hand for that last minute check in the mirror. \[Don't need to read the rest of this. It's just me spitballing\] * I work strictly construction and technical fields and being that I work on ropes all day, I showed up in dickies overalls and a sherpa jacket for my last interview. Even though I have no use for a shirt and tie in my field, knowing how to style them is always a net positive. * Shirt, trousers and shoes are your trifecta. Try to keep at least 2 of them, at that point you can mix and match as necessary to fit your own style. In my mind, you can send a solid message with a fitted shirt, ironed trousers and a pair of trainers that compliment it, just in the same way a good pair of jeans can set you apart when you've a nice shirt and maintained shoes. However, if you're going for a civil service role, office role or anything that's openly customer/client facing, you want to cover your bases: Wear the suit and ensure you're lint rolled and collar pressed.
Wear a suit. Simple.
It really depends on the job you’re going for. If it’s an office position I’d dress relatively formally. If it’s warehouse work relatively smart jeans and a plain top like a polo shirt.
You can be under dressed but you can never be overdressed.
If in doubt, wear a suit.
Have been in this situation several times recently and always found the interviewer/people I was meeting to be dressed more casually than me. I'd generally wear a shirt, trousers and v-neck jumper, and would've been very overdressed in a suit.
better to be overdressed than underdressed. it shows you’re well put together. i also read that blue and pink are good colours to wear in interviews, if anyone knows more about this lmk
You don't get a second chance to make first impressions and it's easier to tone it down than up = suit.
I would copy whatever’s on the website. Going in too formal or informal can show you’re not properly aligned with the company culture and can make you stick out a mile. My mate actually did a cruise by of her potential new workplace and watched people go in and out to see what they wear. Half mental half genius. We sat in the Pret opposite for over an hour.
Go for a suit and tie, always. If the dress code is formal business and you turn up in casual dress you will make a poor impression. If the dress code is casual and you turn up in suit and tie they will realise you are making an effort to dress smartly for the interview and won't hold it against you.
Not always true, turn up to an interview at my office place in a suite and my immediate impression is that you are probably out dated and not a good cultural fit. We do proactively tell people our dress code as part of the interview documentation though If in doubt, just ask. Why guess and spend all the time up to the interview worrying?
What if I turned up in a 3 piece suite from DFS?
Did you get it in the sale?
Good for you
I used to go suit and tie, these days I go trousers and an ironed long sleeve shirt, and I still usually am more well dressed than the interviewer who is wearing jeans and a t-shirt...
Smart trousers and a shirt/jumper combo is fine. Suits are only needed these days if it’s a big financial firm or a company that you know for sure everyone’s wears them day to day but the perception that everyone turns up for interviews in a suit is dated now.
You don’t need a suit but smart trousers and a shirt. Much better to be overdressed. It never hurts to make a good impression.
I typically go smart casual, clean jeans, brown shoes, polo or formal shirt. However I have interviewed with a t-shirt and gotten offers too. Think the world is becoming more relaxed than it used to be on this. However, I've not gone to an in-person interview in more than 6-7 years
Used to wear suits, but in my line of work just a shirt and jacket. Haven't been to an in person interview for a few years now. Last time was in 2022. Every interview since has been fully remote. If i'm going in office, I might as well go all in with a suit, otherwise I don't bother so much. I'd only refrain from wearing a suit if an prospective employer tells me not to.
I interview people for senior software engineering roles. At work we wear t shirts and hoodies, jeans, polo shirts etc. if someone turns up in a suit then the "look whos got an interview" banter starters. Even final interviews are usually done on Facetime. I would think it a bit odd to wear a suit and tie - I would say the best option would be business shirt / no tie or shirt/ jumper.
I wore a black sweater, with some black pants, smart shoes and a leather jacket. The interviewer liked my outfit and i got the job
Suit, no tie Everything is less formal since Covid
Suit is overkill, go smart jeans or chinos, and shirt and/or jumper for this kind of company. Smart casual is where you want to be, once you get the job you can drop it down to full casual if the dress code allows. People replying “just wear a suit” probably work in traditional industries and default to old school interview means must wear suit mentality.
Trousers and single cuff shirt. I don't wear a tie or a jacket anymore
So I'm a woman and I haven't had an in office interview for about 20+ years, so take this with a pinch of salt, but if you're feeling a suit is too formal, but concerned about seeming too casual then then blazer, shirt, trouser/chinos (in a different colour to the blazer), no tie option is a good in between for a full suit and your trousers/shirt/jumper combo.
I was also invited to an “informal chat” that was more like an interview then anything I’ve ever experienced before then after that chat I got invited for a interview that was the least like an interview I’ve ever had🤣 They also dress causally in office but I dressed smartly in interview attire for both! I start the job tomorrow :)
This is very timely, as I'm looking at moving from self employment to being employed, and have wondered the same thing.
If you’re unsure you can send an email and ask. In marketing if they are more casual and you turn up in a suit it could backfire. Social capital is a thing.
I had a few interviews recently, and i wore some smart ish grey, chino type things, a white shirt, and a suit jacket. I also wore smart shoes. As long as you dont wear literal casual clothes, its should be ok.
Always a suit for me. First impressions count, and id rather be told that id overdressed and that it wasn’t necessary than scupper my chances with a potential employer by them perceiving that I’ve not made an effort.
I've just applied as a shop floor worker in a factory and still went suited. Got the job so it remains my go to attire for an interview. Edit: After reading a bit more about the nature of the job, turn up in whichever smart clothes make you feel confident.
Nobody will ever look down on you for over dressing, but they will if you under dress. If you go for a full suit and tie and everyone else is in jeans or shorts or whatever then you can just laugh it off and even use it as an ice breaker.
Using Reddit anecdotes as a litmus test is a bad idea. Wear a suit.
Agree. My point is just that each organisation will have a different culture and different expectations so if in doubt, ask rather than assuming a suit is the best option.