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interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
9

interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

(OP)
I'm having a wardrobe malfunction. I am a Levi's and T-shirts kind of guy, but I obviously can't wear that for an engineering interview. I have a clean suit, and it might even fit, but it seems like overkill. I thought a shirt and tie would be fine. I tried on what I have. I almost feel like I'm choking with the collar buttoned. It's not comfortable. I would feel more comfortable in what I guess is business casual- Dockers slacks and a button shirt, no tie, no chokehold. Is that good enough? Or should I buy a better fitting shirt and wear a tie? Or wear the monkey suit?

Thanks,
Kurt  

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

What position are you applying for?  What industry?

Sounds like you need to buy some clothes that fit.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

(OP)
<<<
What position are you applying for?  What industry?

Sounds like you need to buy some clothes that fit.
>>>

Applications Engineer at a fastener company.

Thanks,
Kurt

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Monkey suit all the way.  First impression is very important.  For the dress shirt, look for a collar that is one size bigger than your neck size.  You can go into any department store where they sell suits and ask them to measure your neck and other parts of your torso so that you get a good fitting shirt, but for the neck one size up will keep that tie from choking you.

Oh depending on the company, you can return to jeans and a polo shirt when you get the job.

Good luck!

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

This was discussed in detail a few months back, thread731-183154: Proper attire for an interview I think there's been at least one other related thread in the last year or two.  Take a look see if you can find it.

In my opinion, unless you know better (ie the companies very casual everyone in shorts and flip flops), the suit is the safest bet, and at least shirt and tie.  

If the shirts too tight get a new one or a collar extender.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

5
I like competing against candidates that are too lazy or ignorant to wear a shirt and tie.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

First impressions are really important. If you wear a suit and tie to the interview you are likely to give the impression that you are willing to wear a suit and tie.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

I agree with the above posts... TheTick's in particular.  Don't overlook any advantage that you can get, especially the simple ones, such as dressing for the interview and writing thank you letters afterward.  It is amazing how neglecting the little things such as this can really screw people out of a job.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

If you really want the job:

Suit, tie, dress shoes (polished!), black socks.

Haircut, fresh shave, clean, expensive cologne (relative, not too much).

Arrive early (15 minutes), don't chew gum, dry hands, firm handshake.

People can't help but judge from a first impression. None of the above reflects on what kind of employee you will be other than to say: I really want this job.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Dress to the hilt for the interview.  I would avoid cologne, you never know who'll you meet during the interview that might be allergic.  Once you land the job and understand the culture of the company you can safely dress-down.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Can't believe no one's brought up the story of the guy that went for an interview at an IT/software company in jeans and thongs.

Everyone else was in suits.

Supposedly the guy in jeans got the job because he fitted in.

I'm not convinced this is a true story and even if it is I suspect it's an exception.

I agree with what people are putting.  Surely a jobs worth the effort of a suit and a new $20 shirt?

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

(OP)
I'm pretty much set with the suit.

Thanks,
Kurt

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

I have a small number of custom made shirts.  They are _exactly_ my size.  The left cuff is a little bigger than the right, to clear my watch.  The sleeves are different lengths, because I am a little asymmetrical. They have two pockets, because I like pockets.  When I get dressed up, I wear one of those shirts; they make me look about as good as I can look.  

That said, at my last interview, I wore a BPS fishing shirt.  I had a hunch.  Got the job.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Isn't the primary responsibility of application engineers to deal face-to-face with customers?  If you don't like "dressing up", how do you plan on dressing when dealing with customers?

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

a suit

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

From a cost-benefit analysis, in general!
A suit will never hurt your chances and likely will help you.
Casual clothes may not help you and likely hurt your chances.

There are always exceptions to the rule as KENAT suggested, however I'd always err on the side of maximum benefit potential

-
Aercoustics.com

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

A SUIT!

If you dont have one, buy one, if you get a good engineering job, and new suit will be chump change and you will be happy you got one.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

I always say suit or no suit depends on how well you wear a suit.  Some folks simply look silly wearing a suit...

...but if you want the job and can wear a suit.... then wear the suit...

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Quote:

Some folks simply look silly wearing a suit...

Suit and tailor!  Get fitted.  Bonus points for having a fitted shirt.

Garters to keep shirttails and socks in line aren't a bad idea, either (especially if you are blessed with broad shoulders).

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

According to a statement that I read, dressing up in a suit shows respect both for the interviewer and the interview process.  

In my opinion you can't go wrong with a suit, unless you are given instructions as to what you should be wearing. As an example, as part of an interview I met with the person for dinner and he said that he was wearing shorts and a polo shirt.  I opted for nice pants and a button down shirt without the tie.  During the discussion, he mentioned that had I worn a tie, it would have made him uncomfortable.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

You can always ask your interviewer what you should wear.

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

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Quote:

I like competing against candidates that are too lazy or ignorant to wear a shirt and tie.
  Words of wisdom.

Heckler   americanflag
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

(OP)
<<<
melone (Electrical) 10 Oct 07 22:14  
Isn't the primary responsibility of application engineers to deal face-to-face with customers?  If you don't like "dressing up", how do you plan on dressing when dealing with customers?
>>>

I don't know much about it, but the job description says, "... liaison between Sales and Engineering resolving customer application issues". I will have to adapt and  challenge myself if a position requires dressing up regularly. The same goes for everything about a new position, especially since I only have 3.5 years of experience at one workplace, and I need to work on my confidence.

Thanks,
Kurt

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

OK I guess that means you will visit a customer together with a sales person. In that case no problem to play the classical tandem: the sales person nicely dressed up and full of cr**, the engineer dressed like cr** but with a positive IQ smile The better you dress as an engineer, the more the customer might confuse you with the sales guy. However if you visit the customer alone you can't avoid having to dress up.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Ask the interviewer or whoever set it up for you.

When I interviewed for this place (corn processing plant), it was strictly stated to dress business casual.  All those I interviewed with were in company uniforms, so if I would have come in a suit, I would have looked out of place.  But then again, this place (and previous employer) both have the notion that engineers and managers are out on the floor hand in hand with operators at times.  

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Always wear a suit.  If you think someone will look down upon you for being well dressed, then you probably don't want to work for them.  You don't have to wear expensive clothes but look presentable and take pride in your appearance.  It should give you confidence too.  Clothes make the man.
As a sidenote, this seems to be an issue with engineers in general.  They just don't take much stock in their appearance.  If you do care and make an effort to look nice, I think that gives you an edge and you'll command more respect.  That being said I love wearing jeans and T-shirts too.  I'm done preaching, go buy yourself a suit that fits.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

Its always better to be over dressed rather than under dressed.  A suit will assure that, unless they all wear tuxedos.

Timelord

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

you should always "dress for success", even after you land the job.  So, unless your job requires it, get rid of the jeans and t-shirts at work.  you always want to be dressed slightly better than your staff and not quite as nice as your boss. So, considering you are interviewing for a fairly low staff position, don't overdo it.  Tailored shirt and diamond cuff links might be a bit much for a junior level staff engineer.  However, wearing a clean suit or sport jacket (that fits) and tie for your interview is probably the way to go.

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

CVG - so cliche

I dress better then any one here, even my boss... I started dressing down a little after a contractor asked me if I was an accountant...people expect engineers to have a certian look...i guess like Dilbert

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

I got accused of being in sales for carrying a briefcase the other day.  Although the guy accusing me where's his cycling kit all day every day.

Once you're settled in the place then within reason you want to blend in.  For instance at my current place almost no one, including VPs routinely wears suit/tie.

I'd worn shirt and tie to the interview and wore the same my first day.  Within minutes my boss pulled me aside and told me to take the tie off.  I still haven't dressed down to shorts & T shirt like many but will sometimes wear Jeans and once or twice I've even worn a (fairly smart if there is such a thing) T shirt.  Normally though it's business casual.  So I'm smarter than a lot of the Engineers but not so much as to provoke ridicule.

However, unless you definitely know otherwise, shirt & tie & normally jacket for interview.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?

I once interviewed where it was asked that we DON'T wear a suit or even a tie, since the interview day involved a field trip to the oilfield. One guy still came in his fancy suit and tie. He got repremanded in front of every other candidate for not following simple orders. He did not get the job. I still traveled with my suit just in case but did not wear it.

I would go with the suit if no other direction is given. Can't hust to dress up. CAN hurt to dress down!

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