Job interview attire

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm glad to see that everyone is recommending suits or suit-like outfits.

I've had a woman show up in a basketball jersey and jeans, another what I can only describe as a denim suit... colored denim pants and a a matching jacket. For future reference, it is not a suit if it's made out of denim

Crisp, clean and professional is really the way to go

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Some 30 years or so ago, I was one of about 15 people interviewing for a job with Xerox. We were tested and interviewed off and on all day, and even though the young guns from the local vo-tech talked a mean story, the three jobs they had to offer went to the three of us that wore suits and ties.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm glad to see that everyone is recommending suits or suit-like outfits.

I've had a woman show up in a basketball jersey and jeans, another what I can only describe as a denim suit... colored denim pants and a a matching jacket. For future reference, it is not a suit if it's made out of denim

Crisp, clean and professional is really the way to go

I had a girl come to an interview in cut off shorts and her MOTHER.

My boss actually took the mother to the side and "schooled" her....

My co worker came to work in a sleeveless see thru type blouse, flip flops and capris and told us she was going to an interview. I assumed she was going to change in the parking lot or something.

She goes to the interview and came back in the same outfit. She came into my office just amazed at how WELL the interview went. She went IN that outfit!! wT...?????

A few weeks later and she still hasn't heard from them. She's She gives the hiring person a call and she told her they went with someone in the company. Uh...DUH?

 

[njmom47]

Twelve years ago (!) I wore a short sleeve navy sweater and below the knee navy/beige print skirt with sheer pantyhose and a medium-heeled navy shoe for my interview. I was called that afternoon with an offer! (Honestly I think it was more about my qualifications that what I wore though )

 

[LoserMomma]

As someone who interviews and hires people, if you aren't wearing business attire, you have no shot getting a job from me.

 

[NMAmy]

I don't think someone applying for a administrative job would be required to wear a suit for an interview. If you have one, then great, wear it, but I would never expect to see most administrative personnel in suits unless of course you were interviewing to be the assistant to the CEO of a major corporation.

I've worked as an assistant both in New Mexico and in Michigan for over 20 years and been on multiple search committees in both areas. A suit is always the way to go for an interview.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I don't think someone applying for a administrative job would be required to wear a suit for an interview. If you have one, then great, wear it, but I would never expect to see most administrative personnel in suits unless of course you were interviewing to be the assistant to the CEO of a major corporation.

I have also done practice interviewing with people and I always hear "wear a suit" but it makes me cringe when women walk in wearing these bad Penney's/Kohl's polyester get ups with the shiney silk blouse. I think it looks cheap and I would much rather see a polished look of a pressed crisp white cotton shirt and knee length black wool skirt.

G-d, I so disagree. You can never go wrong with a suit. Administrative personnel are often the front line of a business and the first impression. And it's possible to find a tasteful, classy suit.

Frankly, I am floored that in this day and age, people can't figure out on their own how to dress for an interview.

 

[Alesia]

There is actually a rule for this: Dress one level above what you'll be wearing to work. It's pretty easy. If you'll be wearing dirty, ripped jeans and an old t-shirt to work, then nicer jeans and a well fitting t shirt are fine. If you'll be wearing business casual to work, then wear a suit or a conservative dress to the interview. If you'll be wearing a suit to work, there really isn't a next level, but make sure that the interview suit is well tailored and appropriately accessorized.

 

[mjkacmom]

G-d, I so disagree. You can never go wrong with a suit. Administrative personnel are often the front line of a business and the first impression. And it's possible to find a tasteful, classy suit.

Frankly, I am floored that in this day and age, people can't figure out on their own how to dress for an interview.

I am also floored by this thread - I can't imagine not wearing a suit. The OP is from NJ, and not wearing a suit to an interview for an AA would be like showing up in jammies. Also, bring a few copies of your resume, even if it's already submitted, and be prepared to send off your follow-up letter later that afternoon.

 

[design_mom]

There is actually a rule for this: Dress one level above what you'll be wearing to work. It's pretty easy. If you'll be wearing dirty, ripped jeans and an old t-shirt to work, then nicer jeans and a well fitting t shirt are fine. If you'll be wearing business casual to work, then wear a suit or a conservative dress to the interview. If you'll be wearing a suit to work, there really isn't a next level, but make sure that the interview suit is well tailored and appropriately accessorized.

I think this is the going advice now. Find out what others at the office are wearing and dress a little nicer than that.

I am a graphic designer. I think the interview attire recommendation would be different depending on where I was interviewing. If it was an agency where everyone is very casual, then showing up in a classic business suit says "I don't fit in here." On the other hand, if you're working "in house" at a corporation, you need to dress more like the population. One step nicer for the interview.

The last interview I had was at a university. Not realizing how casual they were, I wore a business professional suit. I got the offer, but both interviewers (separate interviews on the same day) made a joke about my clothes, like "hope you don't plan to dress like that every day. We're casual around here." I think I would have been better off in nice slacks and a top.

 

[prncess674]

G-d, I so disagree. You can never go wrong with a suit. Administrative personnel are often the front line of a business and the first impression. And it's possible to find a tasteful, classy suit.

Frankly, I am floored that in this day and age, people can't figure out on their own how to dress for an interview.

I didn't say "don't wear a suit" and feel free to walk in wearing a basketball jersey and flip flops. I said the idea is to look crisp and professional. Frankly, if your options are a poor fitting cheap Sears suit or a crisp white dress shirt and a knee length black wool skirt then go for the attractive fitting dress shirt and skirt.

Most offices do not expect the AA to wear a suit and frankly if you came in wearing some ill fitting outdated Penneys concoction I wouldn't want you as the greeter for my company, I would pick the polished dress shirt and skirt applicant simply because it looks more like what I would hope she would wear on a daily basis and would be a better representation of the company.

 

[eebadeeba]

I have a question for female attire - does the jacket and skirt/pants have to be matching? Or does it look just as nice as a suit? I have worn black pants with a grey jacket. My other outfit is a black jacket with a black and white (maybe herringbone pattern) skirt. I wore the pants/jacket at a first interview that I was told would be casual (interviewers were wearing buttondown with khaki pants and the other was in jeans). I am hoping for a second interview, but wondering if I should buy a new suit with a matching jacket and skirt or if the outfit I have now would be just as professional.

Thanks.

 

[prncess674]

I have a question for female attire - does the jacket and skirt/pants have to be matching? Or does it look just as nice as a suit? I have worn black pants with a grey jacket. My other outfit is a black jacket with a black and white (maybe herringbone pattern) skirt. I wore the pants/jacket at a first interview that I was told would be casual (interviewers were wearing buttondown with khaki pants and the other was in jeans). I am hoping for a second interview, but wondering if I should buy a new suit with a matching jacket and skirt or if the outfit I have now would be just as professional.

Thanks.

What type of job are you interviewing for? Downtown or suburban? big city? Will you need to wear a suit to work if you get the job? I personally think if the jacket and pants are well fitting, pressed, clean and professional then that is fine for a admin job.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have a question for female attire - does the jacket and skirt/pants have to be matching? Or does it look just as nice as a suit? I have worn black pants with a grey jacket. My other outfit is a black jacket with a black and white (maybe herringbone pattern) skirt. I wore the pants/jacket at a first interview that I was told would be casual (interviewers were wearing buttondown with khaki pants and the other was in jeans). I am hoping for a second interview, but wondering if I should buy a new suit with a matching jacket and skirt or if the outfit I have now would be just as professional.

Thanks.

Separates are considered more casual than an actual suit. And even though it's sexist, you will come across as being more professional if it's a skirt-suit. Back in the day, when I worked, I always had a couple of interview suits, even if I didn't need them for work. Came in handy for funerals, too.

 

[tlbwriter]

I think you are wrong. I've both worked as an AA in NJ, and in HR in NJ, and I can't imagine anyone showing up not wearing a suit! It could be regional, but that's just how things are here.

Yes, it's regional. I live in flyover country and a suit is not necessary if you're interviewing for an AA position. It's obviously not going to count against you, but it also won't gain you any points over the candidate in khakis/sportjacket or classic dress/blouse and skirt.

I'm glad to see that everyone is recommending suits or suit-like outfits.

I've had a woman show up in a basketball jersey and jeans, another what I can only describe as a denim suit... colored denim pants and a a matching jacket. For future reference, it is not a suit if it's made out of denim

Sometimes, the people who are dressed really inappropriately don't want the job in the first place... they are trying to stay on unemployment. Not always, but sometimes.

One small caveat I'd add to the "always wear a suit" would be the exception for some companies where it's well known ahead of time that they don't want you to... it will actually count against you in those cases (Google, facebook, possibly some other places would all fall into that category)

I think this is the going advice now. Find out what others at the office are wearing and dress a little nicer than that.

I am a graphic designer. I think the interview attire recommendation would be different depending on where I was interviewing. If it was an agency where everyone is very casual, then showing up in a classic business suit says "I don't fit in here." On the other hand, if you're working "in house" at a corporation, you need to dress more like the population. One step nicer for the interview.

The last interview I had was at a university. Not realizing how casual they were, I wore a business professional suit. I got the offer, but both interviewers (separate interviews on the same day) made a joke about my clothes, like "hope you don't plan to dress like that every day. We're casual around here." I think I would have been better off in nice slacks and a top.

Both of these show that it's very important to know the employer and the industry.

A few years ago, my coworker's wife dropped by our office to see him on her way to a job interview. She was wearing black slacks and a stylish blouse. She's not a native of the U.S., and another coworker said to me "Should we tell her that's not how she should dress for a job interview? Maybe she doesn't know any better?" I laughed and pointed out that she was applying for a graphic design job at a software firm, and her clothing was much more appropriate than a staid suit. And she got the job.

Someone mentioned a pug pin earlier, and yes, it can be great to wear something that starts a conversation and shows your personality. But be careful. We had an applicant who was afterward referred to as "cat pin lady."

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I work as a project manager and I always show up for interviews in a grey, fitted skirt suit. I bought it at Express. The work attire for my employers has always been casual or business casual and no one ever wears a suit to work, but I believe in looking as professional as possible for an interview.

 

[DopeyDame]

I don't think you can ever go wrong with a suit. (And of course, it should be nice and well fitting... duh!)
I'd be really concerned about the advice to dress a little nicer than the people who work there dress. I'm an engineer (an in-the-office engineer, so I'm not at worksites or anything) and in my office we pretty much all wear jeans to work everyday. Despite that, it's absolutely expected that candidates wear suits to the interview. Showing up in khakis and a dress shirt, or a skirt and blouse, while being "a step above" what we wear, would definitely count against you. It might not prevent you from getting hired, but why would you want to start out with one strike?
(That was true in California and in the mid-atlantic, and was the advice our career office in a midwestern school always gave out.)

 

[eebadeeba]

What type of job are you interviewing for? Downtown or suburban? big city? Will you need to wear a suit to work if you get the job? I personally think if the jacket and pants are well fitting, pressed, clean and professional then that is fine for a admin job.

It is downtown, big city for a professional job, not admin. But it is also not an industry where suits are often worn. I would not wear a suit at work, as it seems to be a small, casual office (some were wearing jeans when I first interviewed).

Separates are considered more casual than an actual suit. And even though it's sexist, you will come across as being more professional if it's a skirt-suit. Back in the day, when I worked, I always had a couple of interview suits, even if I didn't need them for work. Came in handy for funerals, too.

Thank you for the advice. I have no eye for fashion. I used to have a couple of good suits, but after 7 years and kids, they no longer fit. I think it would be best to invest in a skirt suit at this point. If I do get a second interview, it would be at the corporate office. While I think the company is fairly casual, I do want to present the best possible image.

Now comes my biggest pet peeve. I hate wearing heels. I have flats, boots, and a short heel. The heel is the least comfortable, but I will be wearing it in the interview. I so hate to have to conform to this image, and I hate it even more that when I look at women, those in heels appear most professional.

 

[debster812]

G-d, I so disagree. You can never go wrong with a suit. Administrative personnel are often the front line of a business and the first impression. And it's possible to find a tasteful, classy suit.

Frankly, I am floored that in this day and age, people can't figure out on their own how to dress for an interview.

This exactly. The last interview I went to, was for an Admin position in a small, family owned, pool construction company. The position was to be the assistant to the president, handle some marketing duties, support the service manager, and train the receptionist to be able to take over some of the general office support stuff.

I had 2 interviews, and wore a suit to both. In both interviews, I know that it really impressed my interviewers (now bosses) because they both commented on it multiple times. Of course, the general uniform around the office is work pants, tshirts, work boots, etc. It is a construction office.

I've always dressed for a level or two above the position I'm interviewing for, and think that's a good rule of thumb.

 

[DopeyDame]

Now comes my biggest pet peeve. I hate wearing heels. I have flats, boots, and a short heel. The heel is the least comfortable, but I will be wearing it in the interview. I so hate to have to conform to this image, and I hate it even more that when I look at women, those in heels appear most professional.

I SOOOO feel your pain! Alas, it's part of the game we have to pay. Just be glad that at a wedding in July, we can wear a sleeveless dress with fancy sandles while the guys are sweating to death in full-up suits