Interview attire advice requested

[ter1413]

Smart. You’d be shocked how many guys I interview who don’t have any questions. The guys who have some thoughtful, non-boilerplate questions stand out.

I interviewed a guy about a month ago. I always take a resume as what it is. So I never just go through it much during the interview.

The first question I ask 99% of the time, and what I asked this guy was...

"So tell me a little about yourself."

That can go 2 ways(neither is wrong).....as I want to see how well people converse....
1. Well, I started my career doing...blah blah blah.
2. I like to travel and am really into photography and blah blah blah.

This guy's response was...."Huh....from the beginning?"

 

[TexasToast]

Wear the tie. Once inside if you see nobody else is wearing one you can always take it off.

The guy I interviewed with didnt have a tie on during my Zoom meeting but I will judge the situation after I get there on Friday.

 

[JohnMRobie]

The guy I interviewed with didnt have a tie on during my Zoom meeting but I will judge the situation after I get there on Friday.

Keep in mind that if I’m interviewing you I’m dressing for my day and your interview happens to be a part of it. You, on the other hand, are dressing for an interview.

 

[rjc149]

This is good to know, I dont think French cuffs will fly at this place since they are business casual. Its good to know that that they still work for special occasions thanks again.

They still work with professional attire, but just know that for certain audiences (ie. business clients), they could appear showy whereas barrel cuffs will never elicit a polarized opinion from anyone. I like wearing cufflinks, but I just reserve the accessory for weddings or evening events when I want the extra flair (of course, they are standard for black tie).

Tie-- no one will ever think less of you for trying to look respectful, unless you're interviewing at some "[insert word here]ly" tech startup where everyone is wearing jeans or cargo shorts and a tie is loudly incongruent with the office culture. Even for a business casual setting, I would wear one for the interview.

A good interview question that I think is underrated -- "What qualities do you consistently see in people who are successful here?"

 

[TexasToast]

They still work with professional attire, but just know that for certain audiences (ie. business clients), they could appear showy whereas barrel cuffs will never elicit a polarized opinion from anyone. I like wearing cufflinks, but I just reserve the accessory for weddings or evening events when I want the extra flair (of course, they are standard for black tie).

Tie-- no one will ever think less of you for trying to look respectful, unless you're interviewing at some "[insert word here]ly" tech startup where everyone is wearing jeans or cargo shorts and a tie is loudly incongruent with the office culture. Even for a business casual setting, I would wear one for the interview.

A good interview question that I think is underrated -- "What qualities do you consistently see in people who are successful here?"

Thanks for the tips this will go a long way in my job search endeavors this and the coming weeks.

 

[rjc149]

Thanks for the tips this will go a long way in my job search endeavors this and the coming weeks.

Of course. Best of luck! 🍀

 

[ter1413]

Keep in mind that if I’m interviewing you I’m dressing for my day and your interview happens to be a part of it. You, on the other hand, are dressing for an interview.

^

The other thing to remember is that suppose the person who is interviewing likes you and wants you to meet someone else on the team or someone senior to them.

Say that person walks in wearing a very nice pants suit(female) or a suit and tie(male). It may or may not mean anything if you are not wearing a tie...but you may feel silly having it in your pocket/bag vs around your neck.

And you know about never getting a 2nd chance......

 

[ter1413]

The other thing to remember is that suppose the person who is interviewing likes you and wants you to meet someone else on the team or someone senior to them.

Say that person walks in wearing a very nice pants suit(female) or a suit and tie(male). It may or may not mean anything if you are not wearing a tie...but you may feel silly having it in your pocket/bag vs around your neck.

And you know about never getting a 2nd chance......

That scenario has happened to me. I was interviewing for a position and the woman saw the company on my resume that I worked for prior to the current(at the time.) She knew people there are we started talking about the company and NYC and things not related to the role. This went on for 15 minutes.

She then told me about her company and said....you know what...I want you to meet someone else. I think you may be a good fit for that role....which was probably a better position.

She went looking for that contact but they were on vacation. She gave me her card and said to e-mail her at the beginning of the following week.

I sent a thank you e-mail that day and a few days later, she put me in contact with that person. I went and interviewed with 3 people on the team including the head of the division and was offered the position.

I had on a suit....and tie...both times.

 

[ValidusLA]

Smart. You’d be shocked how many guys I interview who don’t have any questions. The guys who have some thoughtful, non-boilerplate questions stand out.

I hired a young woman a couple months ago. She was not quite as experienced as I would normally like for the role, but she had the best questions game I'd seen in a long time. Really good questions, asked about the industry, company, particular role, how it interacted with rest of company and other locations.

Every time I ask an interviewee if they have any questions and all I get is a blank stare or something super boilerplate, my brain dies a little.

 

[ter1413]

I hired a young woman a couple months ago. She was not quite as experienced as I would normally like for the role, but she had the best questions game I'd seen in a long time. Really good questions, asked about the industry, company, particular role, how it interacted with rest of company and other locations.

Every time I ask an interviewee if they have any questions and all I get is a blank stare or something super boilerplate, my brain dies a little.

That shows that she did research and was prepared to distinguish herself!

 

[TexasToast]

Of course. Best of luck! 🍀

Thanks, I just completed a Zoom meeting (with a tie and collar shirt) and got scheduled for another interview. I have an in person interview later on today.

 

[ter1413]

Thanks, I just completed a Zoom meeting (with a tie and collar shirt) and got scheduled for another interview. I have an in person interview later on today.

Please tell me you also had on pants!

Kidding of course....good luck later!

 

[bicycleradical]

Thanks, I just completed a Zoom meeting (with a tie and collar shirt) and got scheduled for another interview. I have an in person interview later on today.

Good luck on the interview!

 

[ter1413]

Thanks, I just completed a Zoom meeting (with a tie and collar shirt) and got scheduled for another interview. I have an in person interview later on today.

As someone who has interviewed people via Zoom, seeing someone in a shirt and tie shows me that you made an effort.
With so many people working from home, this MAY tell me that you will make a similar effort if hired, and had to work from home.

As @Jmr928 said....

"Keep in mind that if I’m interviewing you I’m dressing for my day and your interview happens to be a part of it. You, on the other hand, are dressing for an interview."

 

[TexasToast]

Please tell me you also had on pants!

Kidding of course....good luck later!

lol thats my worst nightmare that I need to get something then stand up and there go the family jewels. Yes I specifically put on pants put she didnt turn her camera on strange.