Interview tomorrow - full suit? for real?

[Anonymous]

If your interviewer is male, you can get away with anything that looks fairly professional. I (male) would just assume that I don't know the conventions for these things, just as I always assume for women's dress code at social occasions etc.

[Anonymous]

Op, hope it went well for you!! Pant suit or professional dress is fine. TJ Maxx and Marshslls always has a good selection of dresses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're looking for work, you should have a suit. If the one you have is too warm to wear, you need one that isn't. Is your suit wool, OP?

Heavens no, not wool. Black polyester blend isn't much better though. I'd love it if I had the option of buying multiple suits, but not an option for my currently unemployed self.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in a business casual office. If you come in without a suit or some semblance of a suit (e.g. pps dress that looks like part of a suit), I'm not hiring you.

This. We had a woman interview who wore a sort of white top/shirt and black pants. We are not overly formal (guys wear button down shirts with no ties and trousers) but everyone noticed she did not wear a suit. It's called making an effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a business casual office. If you come in without a suit or some semblance of a suit (e.g. pps dress that looks like part of a suit), I'm not hiring you.

This. We had a woman interview who wore a sort of white top/shirt and black pants. We are not overly formal (guys wear button down shirts with no ties and trousers) but everyone noticed she did not wear a suit. It's called making an effort.

+1

We downgraded someone who dressed business casual for lack of judgment, and didn't call her back for another interview.

[Anonymous]

Everywhere has A/C. A suit is always appropriate for an interview.

[Anonymous]

Wear the suit even if it feels awkward. I wore a suit to an interview recently (I am an attorney) and the guy interviewing me was in an under armor-type polo shirt with really casual khaki pants. I felt ridiculous being so dressed up, but I still think it was the right call.

At my current job and last job, I was told that I didn't need to wear a suit, so I didn't. If they were ok with you not wearing a suit they would tell you.

[Anonymous]

Look, I work in an environment where jeans and tee shirts are common (a research environment similar to a university), but you are still expected to make an effort when interviewing.

When interviewing, you wear the suit pants and a nice blouse and in the hot weather, you carry your jacket. Arrive about 15-20 minutes early. When you arrive in the air conditioned building you give yourself 5-10 minutes to cool down then put on the jacket and you'll be ready to go to the interview. As a guy who always has to wear a suit or at least a jacket and dress slacks, I do this and wear the slacks and dress shirt all day. I only put the tie and jacket on when I arrive at the interview site. I head into the men's room to "suit up" and I'm set.

[Anonymous]

Run, don't walk, to Macy's and buy a light weight skirt suit - with sale prices, you can get a decent one for under $200 - wear with a light shell and no jacket (but yes pantyhose) to the office. PP has it right - get there a little early to cool down - I like to have face wipes in my bag to help out.

It's just plain short sighted to risk even one negative thought in an interview because you couldn't be bothered to dress appropriately.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a similar situation, OP. I wasn't expecting the interview and am in a situation where I don't have a suit available to me.

It is what it is.

There was a thread a couple months ago where everyone advised OP not to wear a suit.

Who knows anymore.

If you can't figure out how to obtain a suit, you're probably not smart enough to land a job where an interview suit is expected...so, problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wear the suit even if it feels awkward. I wore a suit to an interview recently (I am an attorney) and the guy interviewing me was in an under armor-type polo shirt with really casual khaki pants. I felt ridiculous being so dressed up, but I still think it was the right call.

At my current job and last job, I was told that I didn't need to wear a suit, so I didn't. If they were ok with you not wearing a suit they would tell you.

I hate when interviewers do this. You knew you had an interview. Even if it is business casual Friday you should dress the part. You should also know the culture of the office though because it might be perfectly acceptable to dress in business casual dress.

[Anonymous]

When I interviewed a couple of summers ago it was 95 degrees. I went with a grey suit skirt, black sleeveless shell and lightweight black cardigan. No nylons. conservative black closed-toe pumps. I got the job, but then again I work at a college where the dress code is probably more relaxed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a similar situation, OP. I wasn't expecting the interview and am in a situation where I don't have a suit available to me.

It is what it is.

There was a thread a couple months ago where everyone advised OP not to wear a suit.

Who knows anymore.

If you can't figure out how to obtain a suit, you're probably not smart enough to land a job where an interview suit is expected...so, problem solved.

It's not that I can't figure out how to obtain a suit. It's that the interview was a last-minute thing. I currently work a job where I don't ever wear suits. It's very casual. I got rid of all my old suits years ago.

I simply didn't have the time to go buy a suit in time, partly because I was being flexible and trying to accommodate the interviewer.

If they're reasonable, they'll understand. I did the best I could and I was dressed professionally -- just not a traditional suit. There are more details about the situation that make it even more understandable and perhaps acceptable that I didn't wear a standard suit.

If they offer me the job and I accept, then I'll buy some suits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a similar situation, OP. I wasn't expecting the interview and am in a situation where I don't have a suit available to me.

It is what it is.

There was a thread a couple months ago where everyone advised OP not to wear a suit.

Who knows anymore.

If you can't figure out how to obtain a suit, you're probably not smart enough to land a job where an interview suit is expected...so, problem solved.

It's not that I can't figure out how to obtain a suit. It's that the interview was a last-minute thing. I currently work a job where I don't ever wear suits. It's very casual. I got rid of all my old suits years ago.

I simply didn't have the time to go buy a suit in time, partly because I was being flexible and trying to accommodate the interviewer.

If they're reasonable, they'll understand. I did the best I could and I was dressed professionally -- just not a traditional suit. There are more details about the situation that make it even more understandable and perhaps acceptable that I didn't wear a standard suit.

If they offer me the job and I accept, then I'll buy some suits.

Me again. I do actually have one suit that I usually use for interviews. But I couldn't use it (long story).

The main point is, you do the best you can. I know better now to be armed with a few suits. I assumed I'd have more lead time to get one if something came up. But now I know it's good to have one suit on hand, cleaned, pressed, and at the ready!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm in a similar situation, OP. I wasn't expecting the interview and am in a situation where I don't have a suit available to me.

It is what it is.

There was a thread a couple months ago where everyone advised OP not to wear a suit.

Who knows anymore.

If you can't figure out how to obtain a suit, you're probably not smart enough to land a job where an interview suit is expected...so, problem solved.

It's not that I can't figure out how to obtain a suit. It's that the interview was a last-minute thing. I currently work a job where I don't ever wear suits. It's very casual. I got rid of all my old suits years ago.

I simply didn't have the time to go buy a suit in time, partly because I was being flexible and trying to accommodate the interviewer.

If they're reasonable, they'll understand. I did the best I could and I was dressed professionally -- just not a traditional suit. There are more details about the situation that make it even more understandable and perhaps acceptable that I didn't wear a standard suit.

If they offer me the job and I accept, then I'll buy some suits.

Me again. I do actually have one suit that I usually use for interviews. But I couldn't use it (long story).

The main point is, you do the best you can. I know better now to be armed with a few suits. I assumed I'd have more lead time to get one if something came up. But now I know it's good to have one suit on hand, cleaned, pressed, and at the ready!

Yep. I have a black suit that I use mostly for funerals.