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Proper attire for an interview
5

Proper attire for an interview

Proper attire for an interview

(OP)
I am interviewing with a small engineering firm soon. I was wondering what people normally wear to a first interview. Should you always wear a suit and tie? Or is it ok to wear a nice pair of slacks and long-sleeved dress shirt? What about a short-sleeved dress up shirt? And how about for the 2nd interview? I already know what I'm wearing, I just thought this could be an interesting topic and something new for the forum as I have not seen any posts about this before.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Always wear a shirt-and-tie, regardless of the dress code at the prospective employer's place.

I've said this before: not wearing a tie to an interview sends one message loud and clear: "I don't have the good sense to wear a tie to an interview.  Try and guess what other good sense I am lacking."

RE: Proper attire for an interview

This, or variations on it, have been posted before.  Take a look back in the 'archives'smile.

Most people seem to think you're safe with suit & tie (or equivalent for the ladies) when you don't have any other information.

There are dissenters and the story of the guy that turned up at a software company in beach attire and got the job...

Personally my suits are a little tight so I've taken to black slacks, collar shirt (usually long sleeve) and tie on my last couple of interviews and I got the last one so it must have worked.  Of course on my first actual day I turned up dressed the same and got told to take my tie off...

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Dress to impress, first impressions mean everything.

I once had an interview on a Friday, the employers traditional casual day, jeans, tennis shoes etc..  When I arrived dressed in a sport jacket, nice slacks, dress shoes, tie etc. the interviewer actually had me remove the jacket and tie and apologized for forgetting to tell me it was casual Friday.

At any rate I got the job and he still talks about how much my attire, on Friday, impressed him.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

KENAT: To be fair, search has been out of kilter the last couple days.

If you do a search, I'm sure you'll find I say almost exactly the same thing every time this subject comes up.
penguin

RE: Proper attire for an interview

thread731-110284
thread731-110284
Maybe I was imagining it, the above are the best I could find and aren't directly relevant in their entirety.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

TT,

Interviews are about selling yourself...

If you go to a supermarket and see two similar products, one with a pleasing design the other that is bland or outlandish, your natural instinct is to pick the first product.

The outcome of an interview has often come down to presentation and presentability when candidates are very close to each other.

IMO wearing a minimum of a formal shirt and tie is a must. A jacket has become almost optional, but when you remember that the people who are interviewing you are more than likely a number of years older than you, they will have expectations towards the latter. The better you look, the better your chances of making it past the first part 'test' and making a good first impression. Other things that will help you here are politeness (manners), a smile and a handshake. If these are effortless, they all point to a person who is professional and curteous

Kevin Hammond

Mechanical Design Engineer
Derbyshire, UK
 

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Always a coat & tie with shined shoes.  Look neat and organized, the way you hope you will be perceived.

Greg Lamberson, BS, MBA
Consultant - Upstream Energy
Website: www.oil-gas-consulting.com

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Always nice shirt, pants & tie.
Even a lot of criminals wear them to court.tongue

Chris
SolidWorks 07 3.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 03-26-07)

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I always just wear a dress shirt, tie, and suit pants.  I don't see any point in varying from that, since the worst possible outcome would be looking over dressed.  I'd much rather look overdressed then underdressed.  I have seen guys come in to be interviewed in Jeans and a Ripped up sweatter?  What exactly do you expect to get a job at McDonalds??? I doubt they would hire you wearing that Crap.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I had a job at a brick plant.  I asked my boss a similar question about attire.  He told me that when I interviewed for the position a couple of the others interviewing looked like they could be going to weddings and were affraid of dirt.

...so I'm not really sure if that was a compliment or an insult to me...

but anyway, my point is that it depends on the job you are interviewing for and the work environment.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Engineering is classified as a WHITE-COLLAR job.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376


RE: Proper attire for an interview

When going for an interview, you SHOULD OVERDRESS a little bit.  That is, if shirt-and-tie is the probable norm at the workplace, WEAR A SUIT.   

Wearing just a shirt and tie could be percieved as under dressing, and as several have stated above, you're objective is to sell yourself, and first impression matters.

Will I hire a person who is under dressed or who appears never to have worn a suit?  Sure,  but their appearance does count just a little bit in my assessment, so why not ensure your appearance is a POSITIVE, rather than a possible negative.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I'm going to be the lone dissenter here.  I think location matters too.  On the east coast my feeling is that a suit and tie are musts.  However, on the west coast, especially Ca, I think it's less important.  As long as you look respectible and not sloppy it's ok.  

I interviewed for my current job (and quite possibly my dream job), in a suit and tie.  After lunch the hiring manager made the comment that everybody is staring because I was wearing a suit.  I said I was debating whether to wear a suit or not and he replied anything more formal than jeans and a T-shirt would have been fine.  I knew right then he would be a great boss.

I wouldn't want to work where they base employment on how somebody dressed for the interview.  The tie doesn't make the engineer, the brains do.  

RE: Proper attire for an interview

While the West Coast is more laid back, I tend to be more favorably disposed to someone who dresses up, rather than someone who presumes that we're more laid back and dresses down.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376


RE: Proper attire for an interview

There are exceptions to every rule as floattuber gives an example of however in all my interviews in CA I've always worn a shirt & tie (if my suit still fit I would have worn itsmile)

The only one I've been arguably overdressed for was that for my current position and I got the job so it obviously wasn't a problem.

Which is worse:

A. Turning up at a casual place dressed too formally.

B. Turning up at a formal place dressed too informally.

I'd always vote B is worse.  

You can always take your tie & or jacket off or make some joke about how you wouldn't have worn a monkey suit if you'd known about the dress code etc.

Of course ideally you'd find out in advance what the dress code is and dress to suit but this isn't full proof.  Just because everyday dress is jeans and T shirt doesn't mean they don't expect the interviewee not to make the effort and wear a suit.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

DO NOT wear a short sleeved shirt!!!  There is no such thing as a short sleeved "dress up" shirt.

Engineers are notorious for being poorly dressed....but one should only practice such poor dressing habits after he has been an engineer for awhile.  Then you can be proud of yourself for not knowing how to dress!  And yes...I'm guiltly of wearing the short sleeved button ups...  My girlfriend tries to hide them so I can't wear them!!

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I have always worn and suit with tie with one exception. I once went for an interview after deciding the job wasn't really for me, but I went anyway for interview experience. I dressed smart casual and when I arrived at the reception everyone else was wearing a suit and tie. The interviewer was similarly dressed to me and offered me the job anyway but I think it made little difference as he wanted to know my skills and competencies. The job was a UK interview for a contract job at Boeing in the UK. 6 months later they sacked all the guys that had taken up the offer.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Thank you, Senselessticker!  I was wondering why it took so long for someone to say that, since the OP specifically asked about short sleeved shirts.  

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Overall, I do not think you can go wrong by wearing a suit/tie (or equivalent outfit for women).  Also, try asking as to the dress code when planning the interview and then take it to the next step.  If business casual, do the shirt/tie.  If shirt/tie, do the suit.  If a suit, do NOT do a tux! wink.

Regards,

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Dress like a complete slob. Unwashed, unshaven, ungroomed. It's good if you smell bad, too. Open toed shoes... Shoes? What for? If you're working inside an office, why not go barefoot and enjoy the carpet?!

After all... it's not about how you look, it's how well you'll perform your job, no?

Sure.

PSE is correct: ASK FIRST. When in doubt, wear the business suit and a tie (tie is optional for women, I guess). If your resume says that you spent six months working in a tar factory, the interviewer will know you're not afraid of dirt.

Look professional for the interview. It's expected.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

2
As GregLamberson noted, shined shoes are as important as the suit and tie. I'd add a crisp white shirt also.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

We used to have a guy who was a REALLY good ECL designer, but he stank like he hadn't had a bath in weeks.  You always had to stay upwind of him.  What's odd is that he never smelled clean that I can recall, so unclear whether he ever took a bath or simply began to stink immediately after a bath.

Apparently, he somehow made it through his original job interview.

TTFN

Eng-Tips Policies FAQ731-376


RE: Proper attire for an interview

This has already been said before but it bears repeating.  There is no such thing as a short sleeved dress shirt.

I will also throw my support behind those who said to wear a suit.  It's not worth taking a chance if you really want the job.  You won't get a job because of how you dress but you can certainly loss one.

I went to an interview once in business casual.  They should judge me based on my skills and portfolio of work and not on how I dress blah blah blah.  It was a small manufacturing firm that made lawn equipment.  They even required that the engineer have machine shop experience to be able to make prototype equipment.  Casual seemed fine to me.

The recruiter who set up the interview for me ripped me a new one after that.  I didn't get another call for over 6 months from anyone.  I guess it really is a small world.

The only time I dressed casual, and still got the job, was because the company told me not to dress up for the job.  It was in a foundry and I would be walking around for a tour.

I think the moral of all this is just don't take a chance.  What's the big deal about wearing a suit for a few hours.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

You could always ask what to wear. Don't make assumptions.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Here is one example that I have come across myself. Few days after my graduation I happened to be in the area of potential employer. I got the phone call and after brief discussion was asked to come for an interview right away!!
I was dressed in regular clothing and actually mentioned this on the phone. I got an answer "We are looking for the person"!! I got the job.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Maybe I'm old fashioned or just that we live in a colder climate but if you've got to ask a prospective employer what you should wear, then I'm thinking you are a long way off the front of the queue.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Yeah, that's one of the reasons I didn't suggest asking.

Let's be honest they may think, "if you can't decide what to wear to the interview then how on earth will you make decisions as part of your job duties".

On the other hand they may apreciate you being pro-active and asking.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I'd have to agree with kenat and sed2.  I wouldn't ask.  

My last 2 interviews were in Az, one of which was in the summer.  There was no way I was going to wear a suit and tie in 105 deg weather so I wore nice slacks and a nice short sleeve button down.  After the interview they were very much interested in me and were prepared to make an offer.  Unfortunately, they had just merged with another company and suddenly had a hiring freeze.  

RE: Proper attire for an interview

floattuber, I have to agree with the temp thing.

In my part of the world it gets close to 120 in summer and I'm not sure I could get from the car to a building in a suitsmile.  I'd prefer a short sleeve shirt too but would probably wear a long sleeve for decorums sake.

That said if I really wanted/needed the job and thought the suit would make the difference I'd probably suck it up and wear it.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

It really depends on the company and their interviewer. In some markets, the dress code is different than shirt and tie. Wearing a suit will make you stand out as being uninformed of the "norm" of the industry.

Would you wear a suit to a Google interview for software engineer? Probably not.

Would you wear a suit to a Fluor interview for software engineer? Probably yes.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I agree with Dave VickingPE, but would go further.

 Wear the scruffiest clothes you own, don’t wash for at least a week and if possible have an all night binge on the beer as well, try to spill as much of last nights meal down you as possible and turn up with a cardboard box, a small scruffy dog and an unlighted cigarette hanging out your mouth.

That way if you do get the job you will know that they think you are a damn fine engineer, it also has the added bonus that you will be suitable kitted out for what you are likely to be doing in the future.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I think the examples about temperature make a fine point. If you can look smart in a short-sleeved shirt but in a long sleeve shirt you'd be sweaty and dishevelled because its 120 outside, the short sleeves are probably going to make a better impression.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I say give yourself as much advantage as possible and wear a full on tuxedo with tails.  Don't forget a corsage and white gloves.  None of this rental stuff either, you must buy the most expensive tux you can afford...even run up a credit card bill if you must.  

That will show the hiring manager how professional you are and how dedicated to the job you will be.  

Hmmm...on second thought, going to the illogical extremes of the spectrum aren't relevant.   

RE: Proper attire for an interview

You only get a chance to make a first impression once, so you ought to err on the conservative side.

When I interview someone, I look for someone who can not only perform the technical aspects of the position but can also enhance the image of our company. If a person won't put forth the effort to look his or her best for an interview, how can I depend on that person to present our customers with a professional image?

RE: Proper attire for an interview

i always wear a suit and tie.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Make sure that the suit fits!  If the suit is obviously too big or too small, a less than flattering message will be sent to the interviewer.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

It really depends on which region too.  Here in Silicon Valley, if someone goes in to an interview with a full suit and tie for an engineering job, people might be confused as to what position you think you are applying for.  :)

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I'd be more inclined to say its about presentation rather than just wearing a suit. Granted, my view is skewed somewhat after being interviewed a for a couple of positions recently, I also understand the market is a bit different Down Under.

Any gorilla can go and rent or purchase a suit. Doesn't mean its going to fit, nor does it mean that they'll pay enough attention to other details like shoes.

If one doesn't polish their shoes, iron their shirt or make any other effort then the implied result is that they will approach employment tasks in a similar manner.

In my case, I enquired with HR at one company, who told me not to wear a suit, and I turned up in a tie for the other. I got the job wearing business dress but no suit, and got told not to wear anything so ridiculous as a tie when I started work. It does happen to sit around 35 degrees centigrade during the summer here. I'd believe that turning up in a suit where I live indicates that I have no idea of the climate and am not likely to stick around.


RE: Proper attire for an interview

For me it depends on the location of the interview- particularly if plant tours are a possibility. In a head/city office I'll wear tie, long sleeved shirt and plants. If the interview is on an operating site then I'll ask what PPE (personal protective equipment) I need as it may be more appropriate to wear "working" clothes (for me currently long sleeved shirts and pants made out of cotton plus steel cap boots).

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Whenever I attend an interview via an agency, they are always particular to stress what to wear, how to present and how to prepare.
One addition: never wear any aftershave/perfume as this, apparently, may cause offence.

Sod's law says that the one time any of this will actually be significant is the one time the job is the one you'd want and they'd offer.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Quote:

In a head/city office I'll wear tie, long sleeved shirt and plants.

Any particular kind of plants?

RE: Proper attire for an interview

(OP)
This thread is getting a lot of responses! Well I had my interview and it went well. I did not wear a suit. I actually didn't even wear a tie although I had planned to. I wore a nice dress shirt and nice pants and shined shoes. I am having a second interview with the company soon. I am planning on dressing the same for the second interview, maybe a different colored shirt though. My original post asked about the second interview, however nobody mentioned how they dress for a 2nd interview. Anybody have thoughts on the second interview?

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Depends on the format of the second interview. If they mentioned a site visit or something then whatever seems appropriate for that situation. If its more of the same but with different people, I'd go with same dress code, different shirt (and different tie if appropriate). Same suit/pants is unlikely to be a big risk though.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I usually wear a long sleeve shirt and tie but never a jacket as I like to look slightly presentable and I have never had trouble getting a job.  But I am Automotive and they are mostly business casual anyways.

But I guess I have an attitude about it too.  If an employer will not hire me because I do not have a jacket on is that really an employer I want to work for anyways?  Not me!  I like a laid back atmosphere when it comes to a company.  I believe that I am interviewing them as much as they are interviewing me.

I have been on interviews where the interviewers are in suits and I am not.  It doesn't impress me.  Usually when I see a suit it screams sales or marketing. And it bothers me that I probably wasted my time because I know that they are not representative of the people I would be working with.

Sorry for the rant.  I am having a bad day!

Being a hands on mechanical engineer who likes to get his hands dirty I think it best to look a little rough around the edges.

Nowadays I have noticed that employers are looking more into personality than before.  They seem to care less about my skills and abilities then how I will get along with everyone.  They ask me about home life and hobbies.  I try to brush them off but it is getting more difficult.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Well... your personality is reflected by many things, for example your clothes. If you refuse to overdress for an interview, it shows that you either unconsciously or deliberately ignore the unwritten rule. If unconsciously, that would definitely be a big minus, if deliberately, what other unwritten or written rules will you ignore in your job and why??

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I'd wear the same type of clothes that I had worn to the first interview.

If it worked the first time, why not the second?

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."   
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Proper attire for an interview

As others, unless something came up to make me think differently I'd wear the same for the second as the first.

For instance if you seemed overdressed the first time in a suit I might lose the jacket but I'd be tempted to keep the tie, unless they were in shorts and thongs.

If I was underdressed first time I'd be tempted to dig my suit out.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

Since my job requires court testimony, my interview attire was pretty easy.  Conservative suit, long-sleeved shirt or blouse with a fairly high neckline and low-heeled, closed-toe shoes.  Hair up, easy on the makeup and no fragrance.  I’ve only worn this get-up about 3 times in the last 4 years since most cases never get past depositions.

What often gets overlooked is SOOOOOO important.  You, and everything you wear must be clean and spotless; clean underwear and socks, freshly laundered, pressed shirt, dry-cleaned suit, a tie without food stains, polished shoes, clean-shaven or impeccably trimmed facial hair.  NO neck hair and no crud under the fingernails.  And get your hair dresser or barber to take care of stray hairs in eyebrows, ears and nose.  Keep jewelry to a minimum.  Take out any facial or tongue piercings.  The holes will not grow closed during your interview.  Small earrings on women are OK.  On men, it is acceptable here in the Bay area, but probably not most other places.

If your interview is after lunch, don’t eat garlic, onions, peppers, sausage or anything that will give you gas or bad breath.  Do not drink alcohol with lunch.

I know much of this sounds obvious, but as a former employer, I have seen people show up for an interview in all manner of dress.  I always gave an evaluation of the person’s attire and general presentation, in addition to their skill level.   If an interviewee did not have the sense to dress for the occasion and insisted on ‘expressing their individuality’, then I took it as a sign of immaturity.  Interview attire is a costume.

BTW, short sleeved shirts are OK only if you never take the jacket off.  If it is very hot where you are, go get yourself a white linen shirt with long sleeves.  You may find that you are actually cooler with the sun off of your skin.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I've said it before (thread731-110284):

I've never seen a woman show up to an interview underdressed.

Sometimes, a little dirt under the nails can be a plus.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

epoisses, I believe the unwritten rules are changing.  While I doubt we'll eventually be interviewing in shorts and a T-shirt, I think there will come a day when nice slacks and a short sleeve button down shirt will become the norm.  

It wasn't too long ago that wearing a tie everyday to work was normal.  Now-a-days, the only people I see wearing a tie are in sales and marketing.  

RE: Proper attire for an interview

In an interview, I usually try to dress in a manner that demonstrates my ability to represent the company in meetings with vendors and marketing types for contract discussions.

That's usually how their going to use me in the dressed up mode.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

"Quote:
In a head/city office I'll wear tie, long sleeved shirt and plants.

Any particular kind of plants?"

Metallurgical plants mainly- nickel/alumina refineries, concentrator plants- that sort of thing. Places where the mud can (and often does) fly.

Cheers.

RE: Proper attire for an interview

I wore a suit and tie to every interview that I went to right out of school. Finally, while lining up an interview, I just asked what the standard dress was at that office and dressed according to that. That was the job I finally got.

In talking to other engineers who are involved in the selection process at larger companies, they have generally said to dress in something that you can feel comfortable interviewing in.

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