Job Interview: I need a suit

[Original Poster]

ROB_GTR said:

Rubbish!

Smart shoes, smart trousers, smart shirt with tie and that would be fine. The jacket is optional, personal preference i would say.
I would never and never have worn a suit jacket for any interview as they don't suit me, but without the jacket i look far smarter.

Jesus christ.

To anyone reading this who is contemplating whether to wear a suit or not to an interview, don't PM Rob_GTR for advice.

[ROB_GTR]

Original Poster said:

ROB_GTR said:

Rubbish!

Smart shoes, smart trousers, smart shirt with tie and that would be fine. The jacket is optional, personal preference i would say.
I would never and never have worn a suit jacket for any interview as they don't suit me, but without the jacket i look far smarter.

Jesus christ.

To anyone reading this who is contemplating whether to wear a suit or not to an interview, don't PM Rob_GTR for advice.

Right, he asked for 'other opinions' so i gave mine. Every part of the suit but without the jacket. That looks smart and appropriate for a job interview.
Yes 'most' may wear a suit but you do have a choice!

Thats my opinion. I am entitled to it without you making out i have gone mad for suggesting such a thing.

I asked my boss what his views were as he interviews regulary, his reply was as long as they are 'smart' not necessarily in a suit, but they present themselves well thats all that matters. You interview the person not the suit! They also stand out a little more if they arn't a sheep and follow the masses.
He is a very high up manager within a major UK energy company (6 figure salary so not just any chump)

[GeraldSmith]

You have a choice between going for the job or not bothering, why compromise on something this important? I Interview a lot and turning up without a suit is just going to make you look like a prat, sure, if you interview well I might not hold it against you but it's never going to be a positive. So wear a suit.

[brickwall]

Tonberry said:

a red 'slim' tie

Don't wear a slim tie. Could look a bit 'apprentice'.

Play it safe, wear a normal tie. If the silk is thin/fine (Hermes) I wear a double windsor knot, if it's thicker then a normal windsor knot is better - a double windsor with a thick tie can give a slightly oversized knot.

Colours/patterns: go for something subtle and understated, dark blues/reds/greens/purple.

[Zad]

If you have a University/College tie that is sober and looks like it wasn't designed in the last 10 years, I would go with that. Silk ties sound like a good idea, but I can never get them to knot really well and they tend to slip slightly and look a bit untidy.

I mostly work in various engineering industries, and tend to wear Doc Martens shoes (black, polished) for the oil/acid/alkali resistant soles. For a finance job they would stand out a mile, but in something like you are up for they probably not a bad choice, especially if there is any chance you will be shown around a working area.

As it is getting towards summer a lighter suit may be ok, especially if you are fair haired, but I would go with a dark grey suit, white shirt with a standard collar, not cut-away or whatever.

[Boshly]

swerni said:

I rather like that

You would!

[Boshly]

swerni said:

morning poppet

leccy certificate

Told you not to use such terms of endearment in public!!

noted

[GT03ROB]

ROB_GTR said:

I asked my boss what his views were as he interviews regulary, his reply was as long as they are 'smart' not necessarily in a suit, but they present themselves well thats all that matters. You interview the person not the suit! They also stand out a little more if they arn't a sheep and follow the masses.
He is a very high up manager within a major UK energy company (6 figure salary so not just any chump)

As a not so high up manager in a major global construction company I have to say I agree with your bosses views...... HOWEVER I would only ever attend an interview in suit. It's the safe option. For every person like your boss or me, there is somebody else who will not share this view. I could lose the job with that individual for the sake of a suit. Nobody will lose a job in the normal run of things forwearing a suit. This is the difference.

In answer to the OP's question most important thing is make sure it fits. An ill fitting suit looks as bad as unpolished shoes. If it's to be your only suit, make it dark grey, far more multi-purpose. Once you get the job it'll be back to jeans & t-shirt anyhow

Edited by GT03ROB on Thursday 14th April 09:20

[andyroo]

I'd say a medium to light grey suit NO pinstripe, white shirt, black brogues, interesting tie. Spend about £300-350. Shirt from m&s autograph range, suit and shoes from John Lewis. No need for anything branded. This info comes courtesy of an ex Thomas pink and bamford and sons tailor and did me well!

[okgo]

I actually own a couple of black suits and tend to wear those, with some decent Oxfords.

[Munter]

andyroo said:

I'd say a medium to light grey suit NO pinstripe, white shirt, black brogues, interesting tie. Spend about £300-350. Shirt from m&s autograph range, suit and shoes from John Lewis. No need for anything branded. This info comes courtesy of an ex Thomas pink and bamford and sons tailor and did me well!

Personally I'd avoid light grey. Lets run through the pre interview scenario.

Sitting in reception/waiting area. Bit nervous. Go for a pee before the interview.

Washing hands, water on crotch area (or worse, if you didn't "shake" enough).

With a light grey suit that'll show up, and you'll stress about it. A dark suit and you'll not see it.

A bit like not ordering spaghetti at a business lunch. Potential fail ahead!

[andyroo]

Munter said:

andyroo said:

I'd say a medium to light grey suit NO pinstripe, white shirt, black brogues, interesting tie. Spend about £300-350. Shirt from m&s autograph range, suit and shoes from John Lewis. No need for anything branded. This info comes courtesy of an ex Thomas pink and bamford and sons tailor and did me well!

Personally I'd avoid light grey. Lets run through the pre interview scenario.

Sitting in reception/waiting area. Bit nervous. Go for a pee before the interview.

Washing hands, water on crotch area (or worse, if you didn't "shake" enough).

With a light grey suit that'll show up, and you'll stress about it. A dark suit and you'll not see it.

A bit like not ordering spaghetti at a business lunch. Potential fail ahead!

[Mr Kitten]

Charcoal suit, white shirt, good quality tie.

Don't buy any polyester - make sure the shirt fits, you see so many people with arms too long or necks that are too loose/tight.

[GeraldSmith]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It might depend on who is answering it as well, if it's someone who is an employee they might be able to tell you what they find to be good, but as the owner of the business it's a question I would find hard to answer without bullstting.

[dave4959]

When I interviewed for a Large Construction company I wore a suit. However, I was invited back to a second interview onsite where I would be shown round site with a Construction Manager then re-interviewed. I wore smart black jeans with a shirt and tie as suits + construction sites don't really work.

Would would peoples opinions be for a second 'onsite' Interview be?

[GeraldSmith]

dave4959 said:

When I interviewed for a Large Construction company I wore a suit. However, I was invited back to a second interview onsite where I would be shown round site with a Construction Manager then re-interviewed. I wore smart black jeans with a shirt and tie as suits + construction sites don't really work.

Would would peoples opinions be for a second 'onsite' Interview be?

Whatever is appropriate for the conditions, I have no experience of construction but if I told someone that at the interview they would be asked to do X, then if they turned up not dressed to do X I'd not be too impressed.

[khushy]

if its a contractor that you are going to see - the interview (assuming its not with anyone from HR) will be assessed on gut feel and NOTHING AT ALL to do with your suit.

Keep it simple and dont be flash - contractors dont like that - other than that - be yourself - thats what really counts.

khushy

and FFS dont tell em (EVER) that you published & enquired on a public forum that you couldnt even make up your own mind about what fkin suit to wear!!!!

[130R]

I work at a company with an extremely relaxed dress code and interview people all the time. Regardless of the company dress code for employees you are not an employee so wear a suit. It doesn't really matter what colour it is (as long as it is not something hideous).

[BMWBen]

Haighermeister said:

And make sure it's a Double Windsor knot, confidence and outgoing

Did I miss the bit where he said he was interviewing at foxtons?;)

Half Windsor is more an adequate.

Go with a dark grey traditional cut suit, plain traditional tie either blue or red, smart plain shoes.

No skinny ties.

[mercfunder]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

There ain't half some ste spouted by muppets on here!