Interview clothing advice!

[empyre.01d2]

I'm attending a career fair on Friday, and have several interviews set-up in advance. Any suggestions on what I should wear?

Apparently there will be approximately 1000 in attendance, so it's crucial that I look as nice as possible.

I have the following (all fitted / tailored):

Suits (2-piece):
Black
Navy
Charcoal
Black (pinstripe)

Shirts:
White
Black
White (pinstripe)
White (thick pinstripe)
Black (pinstripe)
Light Blue
Light Blue (thick pinstripe)
Dark Blue
Charcoal
Brown (pinstripe)

Plus a whole slew of ties (both standard and skinny), shoes, and watches etc.

Is there a certain combination that any of you would recommend? Personally I was thinking black pinstripe with a simple white shirt and black accessories (including a skinny tie) would look nice, but possibly to simple.

Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Tibo]

This has been asked a zillion times on the forum, maybe you want make use of the search function.

To cut a long story short: plain 2 piece suit (navy or charcoal), white or light blue shirt and a conservative tie and black shoes will get you where you need to.

 

[empyre.01d2]

Originally Posted by Tibo

This has been asked a zillion times on the forum, maybe you want make use of the search function.

To cut a long story short: plain 2 piece suit (navy or charcoal), white or light blue shirt and a conservative tie and black shoes will get you where you need to.

Any issues with the skinny tie? I think it fits my frame much better.

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by empyre.01d2

Any issues with the skinny tie? I think it fits my frame much better.

The only think black I would wear are the shoes and the skinny tie is fine as long as it's not 2.75 inches in width.

 

[empyre.01d2]

Originally Posted by edmorel

The only think black I would wear are the shoes and the skinny tie is fine as long as it's not 2.75 inches in width.

I have a 2", 3", and a standard.

What's wrong with 2.75? Are you saying that I should wear a different color tie, or something with a little more kick?

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by empyre.01d2

I have a 2", 3", and a standard.

What's wrong with 2.75? Are you saying that I should wear a different color tie, or something with a little more kick?

sorry, I meant less than 2.75.

 

[lawyerdad]

Originally Posted by empyre.01d2

I have a 2", 3", and a standard.

What's wrong with 2.75? Are you saying that I should wear a different color tie, or something with a little more kick?

Wearing the skinny tie is going to be perceived as unprofessional by some people. You may well be right that the 2.75 suits your frame well. But in an interview setting, the goal is not just to look your best in some subjective sense, but also to show that you know how to "play by the rules" and understand what's considered professionally acceptable. Obviously, there's always a balance being struck between individual style and established conventions. But particularly in a job fair setting, I would strongly recommend airing on the side of fitting in rather than on the side of looking gooood.

A 2.75 inch tie obviously is not crazy man territory, but I'd still opt for something in the 3-3.75 inch range for this particular situation.

Once you've been in a job, scouted out the prevailing norms, and established some personal credibility, then you can start to dress a bit more idiosyncratically.

 

[topcatny]

What kinds of jobs are you interviewing for? The advice could change slightly depending what you are interviewing for.

 

[empyre.01d2]

Originally Posted by topcatny

What kinds of jobs are you interviewing for? The advice could change slightly depending what you are interviewing for.

Entry-level jobs. The career fair is for new and upcoming college graduates. I have interviews with recruiters from Target, Best Buy, and a few other "modern" companies.

 

[topcatny]

Originally Posted by empyre.01d2

Entry-level jobs. The career fair is for new and upcoming college graduates. I have interviews with recruiters from Target, Best Buy, and a few other "modern" companies.

While you probably don't have to be as conservative as if you were interviewing for law firms or Finance jobs, I would still err on the side of caution. From what you have to choose from I would wear the navy suit, white tie and a regular tie, not the skinny tie. You want to make an impression in your interview based on your personality and what you have to say not what you are wearing.

 

[Tiberias]

+1 on "fitting in". You want to play by the rules and show that you will work well in a team. That means the most normal outfit possible; grey or navy suit, white shirt, normal width conservative tie, black shoes.

Exceptions would be for certain industries; for graphic design you can wear more interesting outfits, ditto for art-related industries like animation, web design etc. Very technical industries like engineering are much more lax, but even then you may want to play it safe with the conservative outfit.

 

[empyre.01d2]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm going to go by what you all said and play it conservative.

Once I'm actually employed I'll dress a bit more trendy.

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

While i agree on being conservative, i think that you could stand out subtly and get good attention.

you said it yourself, 1000 in attendance probably 90% of them trying to fit in, what makes you different.

I would wear a navy suit with BROWN shoes, not black, along with a sharop looking tie (not the skinny tie) maybe something with stripes that matches the stripes in one of your white shirts.

then a matching pocket square.

just my ideas on it.

based on what i see at my college career fairs, if you dress in a suit your going to look better then the majority of people there who havent any clue how to dress.

 

[topcatny]

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

based on what i see at my college career fairs, if you dress in a suit your going to look better then the majority of people there who havent any clue how to dress.

+1

If your suit is properly tailored you will easily be in the top 1% those attending.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Tibo

This has been asked a zillion times on the forum, maybe you want make use of the search function. To cut a long story short: plain 2 piece suit (navy or charcoal), white or light blue shirt and a conservative tie and black shoes will get you where you need to.
It's also in the Wiki! http://wiki.styleforum.net/index.php/Interview_attire