First Interview in 5 Years- advice needed.. 3 Piece? Beard?

[Mehdi]

Having just moved around internally since joining a firm after graduation I havn't had an interview as such in about 5years. Id guess alot would have changed since then, and so im after some pointers as mine is next week- Assistant Site Manager for a High End London Developer.

1) Should I wear a 3 Piece over a normal suit to my interview?

2) Beards- Acceptable or clean shaven? If ok, how long is acceptable?

3) If you have an criticisms of your interviewers websites/products you notice whilst doing research into them, should you tell them? (I was thinking i could add value here when they ask me what I can add to the business? Identifying areas that need improvement )

I think that is about it. Im currently doing my research into the company and am quite impressed with them the more I look into their developments, so am quite excited about the possibility of working woth them.
Med

[Troubleatmill]

2 Piece suit is fine.

Learn how to spell I'm , with, haven't etc if you are submitting a CV. Recruiters can reject you for the most basic errors in your grammar, typing etc.

Beards - They are not allowed to discriminate on your looks. But clean shaven does tend to look better.

Knowing as much of the company as you can is always a good thing.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Troubleatmill said:

Beards - They are not allowed to discriminate on your looks.

Really? Since when and what law is that?

[LooneyTunes]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Being crackers can sometimes pay off.

Obviously the extent to which one can you pick holes all depends on whether the job would involve optimising aspects of the business: must be done diplomatically rather than coming across as "your business is really a bit st, isn't it?".

[DanL]

Mehdi said:

1) Should I wear a 3 Piece over a normal suit to my interview?

Not unless you're cold in a two piece. Shouldn't make any real difference from an interview perspective so long as you're smartly dressed, but the weather is getting warmer (finally!) - mildly stressful interviews may make you sweat anyway, don't compound it by being too warm with an extra layer.

Mehdi said:

2) Beards- Acceptable or clean shaven? If ok, how long is acceptable?

Clean shaven is generally smarter. However, a neatly trimmed beard is fine - thinking about my office, 5 years ago virtually no one had a beard. Now maybe 20% of the guys do - they've become acceptable, just don't look homeless.

Mehdi said:

3) If you have an criticisms of your interviewers websites/products you notice whilst doing research into them, should you tell them? (I was thinking i could add value here when they ask me what I can add to the business? Identifying areas that need improvement )

No, save it for when you have the job. By all means say things in general terms if you've done them in previous roles, e.g. can help with project efficiency due to time spent doing x, did y to your current company's website that produced an upturn in traffic/enquiries and could help them in that area, etc. but don't give them anything for free. As mentioned, you could also be insulting someone's hard work unknowingly.

[Hoofy]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Troubleatmill said:

Beards - They are not allowed to discriminate on your looks.

Really? Since when and what law is that?

I hope not. My full face Pistonheads tattoo is going to be a problem with my next interview otherwise.

[Mehdi]

Thanks for the advice, I will go with a 2 piece, and get my beard heavily trimmed up, just to help create the right impression. I think I will save my criticisms from the interview room, but can see if I can use them as possible work examples as previously mentioned.

One thing I'm worried about is that, compared to other applicants, I have an Economics degree instead of anything construction related..
I'd like to think that it could even give me an advantage as it allows me to look at the project from also a financial/profit point of view, combined with good relevant experience and the willingness to learn and better myself, should help my case?

[48Valves]

I've only ever worn a suit for an interview once, and that was borrowed. I didn't get the job, which I really wanted.

At both interviews for my current roll I wore a shirt, a v-neck pull over, tweed trousers, brown shoes and 2 days of stubble. I figured this is what I will look like most days and they will be employing me for what I know, not what I wear.

I don't think I could work in an industry where you needed to be fully suited and booted every day. Although some of my team do, which I find bizarre.

[DanL]

Mehdi said:

One thing I'm worried about is that, compared to other applicants, I have an Economics degree instead of anything construction related..
I'd like to think that it could even give me an advantage as it allows me to look at the project from also a financial/profit point of view, combined with good relevant experience and the willingness to learn and better myself, should help my case?

You're being taken to interview, so they're at least interested in you without the construction degree. I assume if one were really needed (e.g. it was a civil engineering position) then you wouldn't have got a foot in the door!

If the construction degree relates to the job but isn't needed to do it, then once you have a couple of years real world experience under your belt you're likely as qualified as anyone with a construction degree.

I went from a civil engineering degree to IT (programming) to product management - I don't have comp sci degree or any business education, and yet it doesn't seem to have mattered too much. In my opinion, real world experience is what counts after the first few years in industry.