Hmm. I have "designer stubble with an artistically fuzzy goaty". Did I loose already?

All good advice above.

I've had three interviews recently and was properly suited and booted - wore cufflinks too! Then again, so did every candidate.

The interview, they say, is about selling yourself. You're advertising yourself to them. Your appearance will be the first (and only lasting) impact so make it a good'un.

EDIT: Shave. Shave, shave, shave.

You in cheap ill-fitting suit = a fish out of water, i'm not very skilled at this sort of thing and I'm wearing it becasue I think that's what you want me to wear. I'm not that confident about my skills or ability and hope I can hide behind the suit in which you can obviously tell I feel uncomfortable. I can't wait to get home to hang this thing back in the wardrobe. Caveat Emptor - if you look good in a well-fitted suit and actually are confident enough to pull it off, go for it.

You in shirt and smart pants = I'm not a lawyer or Saville Row nob and I'm glad of that fact. I'm confident that I don't need a costume to impress you, I don't want to be restricted by a suit, I want you to concentrate on my skills and what I'm saying.

I think there's a lot less chance of someone criticising how you look in a suit, compared to not bothering wearing one. It's about effort taken imo.

DO EET!

No, wear some decent, not "in yer face" trousers, and a nice t-shirt with a collar. Should get you through without a hitch.

Oh, and wear some nice shoes too.

Scuse me but, when is that company next hiring?



Jon

You see, this is the very crux of my dilemma.

The two guys grilling me are technical hands-on directors.

If they were "pure techies", then I'd go more casual.
If they were "human resources" then I'd go with the suit.

I'm not sure what would make the right impression on these two particular guys.

However I dress, the fact that they're running a company that is hiring staff tells me they must be pretty good at what they do. Therefore, I hope they'll judge me more on my technical knowledge than my uncomfortable cheap suit. However, it rather depends on if they now spend more time "managing" than "doing". I've seen the very best technical directors decay into management mellay. I don't know the answer to that question

I suppose my point was, and it's very likely wrong, wear what you feel most powerful in. And now I've started talking like a confidence speaker so I'm going to bed.

I would imagine that even if these bods aren't personally that bothered about suits, they still wouldn't be the least surprised to see candidates turn up wearing them for the interview - so it's unlikely to count against you.

If, on the other hand, they are the kind of people take a no suit = lack of effort = no job, approach, then not wearing one will definitely count against you.

That's kinda like the God argument. It doesn't hurt to amuse him that doesn't exist, but if he does... It's a valid argument.



I haven't worn my "Power Rangers GOOO!" outfit for ages

*remembers who he's talking to* :p

I've gone for the suit option. My take on this is that these guys started the company and they want people working for them who they can really on not to make their company look like a cowboy outfit.

They're not Trinny and Suzanna and I doubt very much thay you would be discounted because you made the effort to put on a suit.

Good luck!

I voted for "Smart trousers and new shirt with a tie"

Wear a smart jumper over the top. Less formal than a suit, and shows that you have good office dress sense.

You can't make a first impression twice, so the above, I think, in any situation is good form-cas, as will earnyou respect.

Wear a suit, and they'd think "This guy thinks he's it"

Present yourself as humble, and good willed. Something they could mould. People like to mould their employees. Show willing!

Only if their name is Tony Hart and the employee is called Morph!

I was going to use Wallace and Grommit in the above sentence but I couln't remember that guys name. Something Park, isn't it?

Remember, at the interview, you are selling yourself. If you can't be bothered to put yourself in the best light (smart clothes or suit), then why should they "buy" you?

Sure, if you are going for a job in a superstore or a fast food restaurant, then it is overkill and will probably be seen negatively.

As the job you are going for is for a job that includes "in the field" time, representing the company on customer sites, you should present yourself as best you can.

I went for an interview with a friend, he wore deck shoes, jeans, t-shirt and jumper, good brand names, but still... And I went in shirt, trousers and smart shoes. I got my part of the contract in 10 minutes, after 2 hours talking, my friend still hadn't got his side of the contract (although it wasn't all down to clothes).

I went for an interview as a sys admin and I wore a suit (in fact 2, a different suit for the second interview). Sys admins, at least in Germany, are known for wearing jeans and t-shirts, but I was going to a conservative company and wanted to sell myself. If they see I am smart, they will probably spend more time listening to what I have to say, as opposed to wondering whether I could smarten myself up. The fact that if I am going to be crawling under desks, once I've gotten the job, I'll be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, is irrelevant.

Also, I agree with the others, SHAVE! I have a goatee, but I made sure I was clean shaven around the beard and the beard itself was trimmed and neat. Also think about getting a haircut the day before the interview.