is it okay not to wear a jacket?

[Niamh]

I've a serious question. At 2pm GMT i have an interview for a duty manager position but i'm not too sure what to wear.
Do you have to wear a suit and jacket or would a skirt or trouser and blouse be okay?
HELP!

[AimusSage]

that entirely depends on the company and the company culture. But whatever you do, make sure you are dressed in a presentable manner. You still have to be comfortable with it yourself though, since people can tell if someone is not comfortable in their attire, and it will negatively affect your interview more than moderately improper attire would.

[Shalot]

UGH! Interview attire. I don't know the answer, since I don't know what the dress code is where you're interviewing.

But I will share some of my recent interviewing experiences with you: I interviewed for a business casual job wearing business casual wear and got the job this past summer (this was the job I turned down). I wore black slacks, black flats, and a black short sleaved sweater top with white piping. I was neat and pressed. Everyone else was wearing business casual clothes so it was okay. Plus I had experience and they liked me so all went well.

And then I interviewed for the job I have now, and I dressed up slightly more, wearing a black and white quarter sleaved summer jacket, a white shell, black slacks and black slacks. Again, I was neat and pressed, and that turned out to be just the sort of outfit people in my position wear everyday.

Is this a job at the place you work at now? If so, do you see the person you'll be interviewing with on a regular basis? Try to dress like that person. Or, I guess just go for something neat that you will be comfortable in.

People always say it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, and that's true to a point but most people just feel foolish when they overdress. My husband went to a business casual job interview in a suit and dress shoes and felt self concious the whole time. and didn't get the job.

I guess, the moral of the story is, no matter what you end up in, just try to be comfortable and that way your interview will go smoothly.

And if you don't try to put some thought into what you have on, you'll have that hanging over your head in the interview too.

UGH!!! :sick: Interview clothes are so difficult.

[kiz_paws]

I would go along the lines of looking as professional as possible, ergo, the full blown suit, Niamh. If you land the job (good luck my friend), you can then dress to your own fancy. Ya gotta wow them with professionalism in appearance and in knowledge. Or somethin' like that. Just no stilletoes! :lol:

[LadyWentworth]

I always wear the 3-piece outfit. I prefer trousers (just for comfort). Generally I wear a nice top or blouse with a nice cardigan over it. I always make myself look as professional as possible (generally I tie my hair back also). I just find jackets and suits uncomfortable, but if you think it would look more "professional" for the position, I think that you should wear something like a jacket or suit instead.

[papayahed]

I agree with all the above, depends on the company/job your interviewing for. My first job interview I went in a pinstripe suit - I was looking good but they flat out told me they weren't looking for a girlie girl.

The next few interviews I dressed down a little, trousers and a tailored top and things seemed to go better. But then again I'm in a more industrial setting.

You can always call HR and ask them.

[Niamh]

Yes its another job within the company i work for. The last time i didnt wear a jacket, but it was the height of summer and it was like a sauna in work. I've always worn a suit, and mainly have to wear one in work (not always though, i can wear a nice top or a jumper.)
Your suggestions are all very helpful but i'm still unsure. My suits a mess and i havent gotten around to buying a new one.....

[Sweets America]

I think it is quite sad and ridiculous that people should judge you on what you are wearing!:cold: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:
It surprises me that no one here has underlined this point. If I wanted to hire someone, I seriously would not care about their clothes. I would care about their abilities. It is so strange that people link style with work abilities, this is total nonsense. :eek2: I know it is how our society is, I know, but it really puts a big question mark sitting over my head. :confused: This seems surreal to me. If someone seemed to be perfect for the job I offered, I would hire him/her whatever they look like, even with pink hair and piercings.
Moreover, I think the most interesting might be what the new person can bring to the company with his/her own style, instead of trying to fit in and lying to oneself.
I am aware that my views are quite idealistic, but I cannot help it. ;)

[Niamh]

i think we would all agree with you sweets.
I've gone with a suit an shirt. I had to borrow a suit jacket from my sister to go with a pair of black trousers and a white blouse. I'm not very comfortable in a white shirt but it looks the part. I'll just have to keep the jacket on all day to hide embarressing wet patches i'm bound to get.:(

[Sweets America]

I'm thinking I would have trouble about this clothes thing because I only wear jeans! And I wonder what they woud think if I came with my brown hoody with an embroidery saying 'LOVE' in orange and with flowers around. :lol: :lol: Or with this other hoody with little hearts, skulls and stars on it. :lol: At least, I am not wearing pale pink shoes anymore.:p
I have no suit, but I still have a nice black jacket. Maybe I still have a chance, then. :p
I see what you mean about the wet patches!:( I hope you will do great at this interview!:) :thumbs_up

[papayahed]

It's really not about style, it's about how you present yourself and how you would represent the company. You go to an interview with a big grease stain on your front or dressed inappropriately, Chances are good you don't care how you present yourself then there is a very good possibility you don't care about your work and may turn in a substandard performance.

[Sweets America]

It's really not about style, it's about how you present yourself and how you would represent the company. You go to an interview with a big grease stain on your front or dressed inappropriately, Chances are good you don't care how you present yourself then there is a very good possibility you don't care about your work and may turn in a substandard performance.

I am not sure. I see what you mean, but well, there must be people who don't care about their appearance BUT who care about their work. I am not sure I see the link between the two. Though that is true that there is something about representing the company.
But, I was talking about people who have a style which is original and does not fit in. If a guy has pink hair and piercings everywhere, that doesn't mean he doesn't care about his work, does it?
I am just saying that I don't see it as a problem when people stay true to themselves. It is hard to do so though, because in our society, those who don't fit in are put aside and judged on what they look like.

[Mark F.]

Be presentable but true to yourself. I couldn't show up for an interview wearing a suit, it'd would feel like I'm wearing a disguise.

[kiz_paws]

I totally see what you are saying, Sweets, and agree for the most part.

BUT: The business world seems to have no grey, just black and white. And it would appear that if a guy in a top-notch suit interviews well and has good qualifications, he will beat out a guy with pink hair, piercings to the moon and cool chucks on his feet, no matter what qualifications our little punker has. :(

Sad, but that is how it appears to go.

Having said that, has anyone seen pictures of Bill Gates just as he was gaining momentum? Bet a few companies wished that they'd have judged on what was going on INSIDE as opposed to OUTSIDE... ;)

Anyhow, I do hope that Niamh made out good on that interview!! **fingers crossed, my friend**

[Sweets America]

I totally see what you are saying, Sweets, and agree for the most part.

BUT: The business world seems to have no grey, just black and white. And it would appear that if a guy in a top-notch suit interviews well and has good qualifications, he will beat out a guy with pink hair, piercings to the moon and cool chucks on his feet, no matter what qualifications our little punker has. :(

Sad, but that is how it appears to go.

I know I am having ideal thoughts. :( That is sad that the business world is only either black or white. But maybe it could change someday.
I feel sorry for our little pink-haired punker. I am thinking that if I were in the employer's shoes, I would have to be careful not to go to the other extreme, that is not to hire the punker just because he looks cute. :p :D No no, I would not do that. :p

[Niamh]

Had the interview. I think it went well! But then again i had the exact the same interview only in september so... I'm betting it will have the same out come.:( I wont know what the outcome is until next week sometime. They have about five externals to interview also. From past experience, one externals are in the equation, internals dont have much hope.

[Virgil]

I would go along the lines of looking as professional as possible, ergo, the full blown suit, Niamh. If you land the job (good luck my friend), you can then dress to your own fancy. Ya gotta wow them with professionalism in appearance and in knowledge. Or somethin' like that. Just no stilletoes! :lol:

It's probably too late for my input, but I woud have agreed with Kizzo.

[Scheherazade]

Had the interview. I think it went well! But then again i had the exact the same interview only in september so... I'm betting it will have the same out come.:( I wont know what the outcome is until next week sometime. They have about five externals to interview also. From past experience, one externals are in the equation, internals dont have much hope.Hoping for the best for you, Niamh! :)

[Niamh]

Thanks Scher.:)

[papayahed]

My fingers are crossed!!


I know I am having ideal thoughts. :( That is sad that the business world is only either black or white. But maybe it could change someday.
I feel sorry for our little pink-haired punker. I am thinking that if I were in the employer's shoes, I would have to be careful not to go to the other extreme, that is not to hire the punker just because he looks cute. :p :D No no, I would not do that. :p

My theory has always been to do what you need to do to get the job, do the job well and prove yourself, then do what ever the hell you want including dying your hair pink.

[applepie]

Had the interview. I think it went well! But then again i had the exact the same interview only in september so... I'm betting it will have the same out come.:( I wont know what the outcome is until next week sometime. They have about five externals to interview also. From past experience, one externals are in the equation, internals dont have much hope.

Best of luck to you Niamh. I hope all goes well and you get the position.