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
Thanks,
Kurt





RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
Sounds like you need to buy some clothes that fit.
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
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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.
>>>
Applications Engineer at a fastener company.
Thanks,
Kurt
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
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?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
"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?
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?
Thanks,
Kurt
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
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?
...but if you want the job and can wear a suit.... then wear the suit...
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
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?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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Sr. Mechanical Engineer
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RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
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?
Timelord
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
RE: interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual?
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?
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 would go with the suit if no other direction is given. Can't hust to dress up. CAN hurt to dress down!