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Interview dress

post #1 of 22
4/21/09 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
I have an interview coming up this Friday. I emailed the HR lady saying "What is the dress code at xyz company? I'm planning to wear a suit, but if business casual is acceptable for an interviewee, I would prefer to wear that."

She responded saying "We are business casual, but please keep in mind that this is an interview, so what you would like to wear is your choice"

So...suit?
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post #2 of 22
4/21/09 at 12:38pm
Yah.

Casual for EMPLOYEES/Management.

Business Dress for Interviewees.

I wonder just how badly you screwed up your chance at this job by simply asking that question.
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post #3 of 22
4/21/09 at 12:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIHTies View Post
Yah. Casual for EMPLOYEES/Management. Business Dress for Interviewees. I wonder just how badly you screwed up your chance at this job by simply asking that question.
She is in HR. I'm interviewing for an engineering internship. I'm not even interviewing with her. Just a guess, but I think that the engineering managers that I'm interviewing with are much more concerned with my engineering abilities than if I asked about the company's dress code. Also, people at my school's career services, older friends who have been on lots of interviews, and websites with interview tips all recommend asking HR if you aren't sure what to wear.
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post #4 of 22
4/21/09 at 12:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by captainmo View Post
She is in HR. I'm interviewing for an engineering internship. I'm not even interviewing with her. I think that the 3 engineering managers that I'm interviewing with are much more concerned with my engineering abilities.

True that your engineering abilities are what you are being hired for but people the purpose of the correspondence and actual interview is to get a whole picture about the interviewee. If she is in HR that means that she is your gatekeeper into the interview and a question like that probably raised her eyebrows and may or may not reflect on what she passes along to those that you are interviewing with.

I am not saying that it will affect your possibly getting the job, I am wondering aloud what effect it will actually have on the outcome.

All things being equal between two candidates, some may rather avoind a candidate that thinks it might be appropriate to interview in casuals.

Just sayin.
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post #5 of 22
4/21/09 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIHTies View Post
...probably raised her eyebrows and may or may not reflect on what she passes along to those that you are interviewing with.

I am not saying that it will affect your possibly getting the job, I am wondering aloud what effect it will actually have on the outcome.

All things being equal between two candidates, some may rather avoind a candidate that thinks it might be appropriate to interview in casuals.

Just sayin.

I disagree with this logic, as it assumes that asking ahead of time is a bad thing. There is no more reason to believe that calling HR to ask will harm your chances than there is to believe that the HR person was impressed that you cared enough to take the time to check. The rule of thumb I've always heard is exactly what the OP stated: when in doubt, call to ask.

OP also states this is for an internship, I find it hard to believe that HR would be shocked that someone at internship level might have a question regarding dress codes. Someone 20 years deep in a career may raise an eyebrow with such a question, but I wouldn't think it odd from an aspiring intern.
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post #6 of 22
4/21/09 at 12:56pm
Thread Starter 
Gotcha....I read it more as a "dumb ass, you're not getting a job"

I'm interviewing with a different HR person first, then 5 different engineers. I guess in some situations (smaller company with lots of HR/manager interaction) it could be an issue, but I don't really see any problem with asking here.

The only suit I have now is a dark navy suit with very narrow pinstripes. Are pinstripes alright, or should I look into renting a plain navy/black suit?
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post #7 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by captainmo View Post
The only suit I have now is a dark navy suit with very narrow pinstripes. Are pinstripes alright, or should I look into renting a plain navy/black suit?

Assuming the pinstripe isn't too garish, it sounds like what you have will be fine. Some purists here would argue that solid navy is preferable, but just keep it conservative otherwise (simple tie, plain white shirt), make sure the suit fits you well (search here for examples of good fit), and you shouldn't have a problem. I definitely would not rent a suit, as they are junk.

Also, black suits aren't appropriate for interviews (or much beyond running a funeral home).

Best of luck with the interview.
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post #8 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrG View Post
I disagree with this logic, as it assumes that asking ahead of time is a bad thing. There is no more reason to believe that calling HR to ask will harm your chances than there is to believe that the HR person was impressed that you cared enough to take the time to check. The rule of thumb I've always heard is exactly what the OP stated: when in doubt, call to ask.

OP also states this is for an internship, I find it hard to believe that HR would be shocked that someone at internship level might have a question regarding dress codes. Someone 20 years deep in a career may raise an eyebrow with such a question, but I wouldn't think it odd from an aspiring intern.

You cant disagree with my logic since it was more like Musing, but assuming that you did disagree with my logic I would have to disagree with yours and remind you that its OK err on the side of caution and ask if you should dress up. The OP asked if its OK to dress down, which can be interpreted as somone who doesnt like to conform or one who doesn't respect protocol etc.

Quote:
Originally Posted by captainmo View Post
Gotcha....I read it more as a "dumb ass, you're not getting a job"

I'm interviewing with a different HR person first, then 5 different engineers. I guess in some situations (smaller company with lots of HR/manager interaction) it could be an issue, but I don't really see any problem with asking here.

The only suit I have now is a dark navy suit with very narrow pinstripes. Are pinstripes alright, or should I look into renting a plain navy/black suit?

As you will be face to face with the HR person you asked the question to I dont think that it will hurt to make an offhanded comment about how you just wanted to make sure you were doing the right thing and thats why you asked. Like the enema joke..., it cant hurt.

Certainly do NOT rent another suit. Its no harm to come in what you own so long as its not outlandish.

Again, just my .02. Good luck!
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post #9 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:13pm
Your mistake was indicating to them what you'd like to wear: if you want the job, it's only important what they'd like you to wear. While I agree that asking HR questions is generally harmless, I would not underestimate the importance of the impression you make on them. It is very possible that the person making hiring decisions will ask someone in HR if you seemed friendly or enthusiastic. For that reason, it pays to talk to everyone you meet at a potential employer as if he or she is the one who can choose to hire you or not.
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post #10 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:15pm
Hm, this is an interesting situation. IMO you should go semi casual, I would suggest a very nice bespoke grey suit, no pocket square, a nice shirt (kiton, brioni, bespoke sea island cotton), in a white, and some nice cognac colored shoes - my favorite are some bespoke lobbs, but perhaps you might have to go RTW.
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post #11 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:16pm
I don't think there was a problem with your asking, but from her response I think you should definitely wear the suit.

Her quote, "We are business casual, but please keep in mind that this is an interview, so what you would like to wear is your choice" can really be translated as, "once you get the job you can dress business casual, but right now you should act like you want it and dress to impress".

The suit you have will be fine, no need to spend extra money when you won't be dressing that way everyday anyway.

It's really more a checklist thing at this point, i.e. HR person/Interviewer - "Did the candidate seem professional?" "He was wearing a suit, check." Then on to the important stuff - "Can he do the job?"
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post #12 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:26pm
Tux, top hat & monical.
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post #13 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by captainmo View Post
I have an interview coming up this Friday. I emailed the HR lady saying "What is the dress code at xyz company? I'm planning to wear a suit, but if business casual is acceptable for an interviewee, I would prefer to wear that."

She responded saying "We are business casual, but please keep in mind that this is an interview, so what you would like to wear is your choice"

So...suit?

Haha!

Wear a suit to an interview always. Unless it's at abercrombie and fitch or similar retail store. If you want the job why dick around and take foolish chances like dressing business casual? HR has now dinged you.
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post #14 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FIHTies View Post
You cant disagree with my logic since it was more like Musing, but assuming that you did disagree with my logic I would have to disagree with yours and remind you that its OK err on the side of caution and ask if you should dress up. The OP asked if its OK to dress down, which can be interpreted as somone who doesnt like to conform or one who doesn't respect protocol etc.

What if I used logic to counter your logic that was used to counter my logic that was based upon your musing?

I do think you make a fair point, however, about the fact that he expressed a desire to dress down. This is a different question than simply inquiring about dress, and it's certainly not how I would have phrased the question. Consequently, I suppose it's theoretically possible that it could be remembered, but it still seems to me to be an overreaction to muse that the question may hurt his chances. The OP states that this is not a smaller company, so I have to assume they're interviewing more than one potential intern. I just don't think the odds are that high that an HR person will remember one interviewee who phrased his question about dress a little odd and then use that in their hiring calculus.
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post #15 of 22
4/21/09 at 1:50pm
If I were you I'd go all out. Even my shoes would be blinding everybody in the building.
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