Business Smart attire for Interview
Discussion
DonkeyApple said:
K50 DEL said:
DonkeyApple said:
Gareth1974 said:
Not sure if this is true or not, I've heard that shirts with a pocket are frowned upon in the banking sector.
Used to be. They would get ripped off if someone entered the floor wearing one who wasn't back office. Belts weren't accepted either.
The world has evolved but a shirt pocket is still something that delineates front and back office.
The belt thing has probably died out more quickly due to arrival of the American and European banker but shirt pockets would still get an odd look in many environments. Although, I'd be surprised if people were still ripping them off on trading floors.
I'm assuming short-sleeve shirts are another no-no?
K50 DEL said:
Interesting, thanks.
I'm assuming short-sleeve shirts are another no-no?
It just depends on the role. If it's back office or front, the type of operation or even the department in the back office. I'm assuming short-sleeve shirts are another no-no?
Generally speaking, for front office the more classic and under stated the better. Blinging up with man bangles like you're Bobby George or spiv knotting your tie like you failed your degree and are more suited to selling houses doesn't make much sense. And the exact same attire would be perfect if any back office interview.
If I think back it's only been the post room that I recall wearing short delivered shirts or the few IT people who don't still live at home so don't have mother to iron a grown up shirt.
Ultimately, not a lot is going to beat a plain white shirt, dark suit, clean leather work shoes, a tie knotted by a sane person and then standing and sitting up straight and looking interested.
DonkeyApple said:
K50 DEL said:
Interesting, thanks.
I'm assuming short-sleeve shirts are another no-no?
It just depends on the role. If it's back office or front, the type of operation or even the department in the back office. I'm assuming short-sleeve shirts are another no-no?
Generally speaking, for front office the more classic and under stated the better. Blinging up with man bangles like you're Bobby George or spiv knotting your tie like you failed your degree and are more suited to selling houses doesn't make much sense. And the exact same attire would be perfect if any back office interview.
If I think back it's only been the post room that I recall wearing short delivered shirts or the few IT people who don't still live at home so don't have mother to iron a grown up shirt.
Ultimately, not a lot is going to beat a plain white shirt, dark suit, clean leather work shoes, a tie knotted by a sane person and then standing and sitting up straight and looking interested.
I work in IT and only ever wear short sleeves - nothing to do with ironing though, just that I find I'm too hot if I wear long sleeves and I prefer to be comfortable whilst I work.
Would always turn up to interview dressed as per your description though!
Greshamst said:
Borrow a watch from a friend? You sound like a dinosaur.
Probably I am. But I have interviewed many people for City jobs and every detail was noted. The point about the watch was something that was inappropriate for the position. If he didnt have a good watch then no watch may be better.K50 DEL said:
That's me conforming to stereotype then....
I work in IT and only ever wear short sleeves - nothing to do with ironing though, just that I find I'm too hot if I wear long sleeves and I prefer to be comfortable whilst I work.
Would always turn up to interview dressed as per your description though!
That's the key, really. Once you've got the job and through probation etc then adjusting your attire to be more what you prefer would make sense. I work in IT and only ever wear short sleeves - nothing to do with ironing though, just that I find I'm too hot if I wear long sleeves and I prefer to be comfortable whilst I work.
Would always turn up to interview dressed as per your description though!
DonkeyApple said:
MarshPhantom said:
DonkeyApple said:
MarshPhantom said:
Pommygranite said:
About right but brown shoes with a black belt?
Your tie knot doesn't matter.
Just be neat and tidy (have suit dry cleaned) and and ensure your tie is all the way to the top and tight, shirt well ironed, shoes clean and neat, no comedy socks or tie, trousers the right length (not hanging 2 inches above your shoes), clean nails and hair and trim up the nose and eat hair.
Windsor looks good though.Your tie knot doesn't matter.
Just be neat and tidy (have suit dry cleaned) and and ensure your tie is all the way to the top and tight, shirt well ironed, shoes clean and neat, no comedy socks or tie, trousers the right length (not hanging 2 inches above your shoes), clean nails and hair and trim up the nose and eat hair.
I interviewed a bloke who was wearing a "sex o meter" themed tie.
it had a clock face, split into segments- with a swinging gold pointer on it.
the segments read things like "ready baby" "no way" "I'm hot" and so on.
didn't employ him !
also interviewed a lady who asked, "how much sick can I take off each year". I replied that I think you should probably get the job first before you plan your sickness.
it had a clock face, split into segments- with a swinging gold pointer on it.
the segments read things like "ready baby" "no way" "I'm hot" and so on.
didn't employ him !
also interviewed a lady who asked, "how much sick can I take off each year". I replied that I think you should probably get the job first before you plan your sickness.
Foliage said:
VP role
2/3 piece made to measure or made to fit suit, white pocket-less long sleeve shirt with white undershirt, pocket square, tie, black leather sole shoes and leather belt, a4/a5 leather bound note book, appropriate brand of pen, appropriate swiss watch (dress or diver).
VP of what waitering? 2/3 piece made to measure or made to fit suit, white pocket-less long sleeve shirt with white undershirt, pocket square, tie, black leather sole shoes and leather belt, a4/a5 leather bound note book, appropriate brand of pen, appropriate swiss watch (dress or diver).
If a suit is fitted or made to measure then it doesn't need a belt!
Why wear an undershirt? That's just a bit 'dressed by mother'?
And a watch allows for too much visual judgement so definitely avoided.
I remember reading this article about graduates from 'non-privileged' backgrounds missing out on banking jobs due to subtleties such as wearing brown shoes or the wrong tie at an interview.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/01/to...
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/01/to...
Gareth1974 said:
I remember reading this article about graduates from 'non-privileged' backgrounds missing out on banking jobs due to subtleties such as wearing brown shoes or the wrong tie at an interview.
At the other end, I've worked at places where if a candidate wore a suit to an interview they were down-marked for 'not understanding the ethos of the company'. They were bellends as well 
DonkeyApple said:
MarshPhantom said:
Pommygranite said:
About right but brown shoes with a black belt?
Your tie knot doesn't matter.
Just be neat and tidy (have suit dry cleaned) and and ensure your tie is all the way to the top and tight, shirt well ironed, shoes clean and neat, no comedy socks or tie, trousers the right length (not hanging 2 inches above your shoes), clean nails and hair and trim up the nose and eat hair.
Windsor looks good though.Your tie knot doesn't matter.
Just be neat and tidy (have suit dry cleaned) and and ensure your tie is all the way to the top and tight, shirt well ironed, shoes clean and neat, no comedy socks or tie, trousers the right length (not hanging 2 inches above your shoes), clean nails and hair and trim up the nose and eat hair.
DonkeyApple said:
Gareth1974 said:
Not sure if this is true or not, I've heard that shirts with a pocket are frowned upon in the banking sector.
Used to be. They would get ripped off if someone entered the floor wearing one who wasn't back office. Robbo 27 said:
Greshamst said:
Borrow a watch from a friend? You sound like a dinosaur.
Probably I am. But I have interviewed many people for City jobs and every detail was noted. The point about the watch was something that was inappropriate for the position. If he didnt have a good watch then no watch may be better.JM
HannsG said:
VP role in the finance transformation space.
Banking?Your effort sounds fine. I'd just make sure everything that should be shiny, is (shoes) and things that shouldn't be is not (suit) and everything else is clean and pressed well - but you already knew that.
I'd worry much more about what you're going to say. Sure, the first thing they're going to see is you, but it's only a split second before you open your mouth!
There is some rubbish in this thread about shirt pockets, watches and stuff - god, get a grip. I hope I'm never interviewed by anyone who gives a toss about this crap enough that they'd not give me a job over someone who had the right accoutrements but didn't interview as well.
Edited by EggsBenedict on Monday 23 January 16:25
DonkeyApple said:
Gareth1974 said:
Not sure if this is true or not, I've heard that shirts with a pocket are frowned upon in the banking sector.
Used to be. They would get ripped off if someone entered the floor wearing one who wasn't back office. Belts weren't accepted either.
The world has evolved but a shirt pocket is still something that delineates front and back office.
I remember being warned of that when I first hit the trading floor 14 years ago.
You're right about the Windsor too, best left to Estate Agents etc
Edited by DoubleSix on Monday 23 January 16:40
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff