Your advice to prospective graduates on interview and work attire.

designprofessor · Feb 24, 2010

Im giving a brief talk to some college seniors. I know that many on SF have a short list of do's and don'ts concerning what to wear when entering the business world. I'd appreciate input.
-and if you happen to do business with one of my graduates, perhaps sartorial issues won't get the deal off on the wrong foot.

So, what quick soundbites would you impart?

ter1413 · Feb 24, 2010

Navy suit/white shirt/clean nails/no flash(school rings) or glitz(earrings for males)/haircut/resume in hand.

jiratic · Feb 24, 2010

Navy/Charcoal/Grey suit, white/blue shirt, have a well knotted tie, better to err towards conservatism; don't want to offend old world sensibilities.
Clean, cut fingernails, hair neatly styled one way or another, don't wear bling.

Insight · Feb 24, 2010

Black or burgundy smooth leather shoes - polished at a minimum, highly polished is better.

Shirt should be ironed. Suit should fit.

Suit should look OK, but not look like a high-end suit. Someone straight out of college should not be wearing a mega-bucks suit - it looks like you are a spendthrift.

All this varies based on prospective company and industry. Ratchet up the anal factor for financial firms and old-line conservative firms, go flashier if you are in a creative-type industry.

SkinnyGoomba · Feb 25, 2010

Interview is simple.

Charcoal suit, Black lace up shoes, white shirt and conservative dark colored tie.

Point out what 'fit' means, shoulders and chest specifically.

For their job, there is a wide variety of answers.

For a consultant or sales position they should expect to be wearing suits daily, tell them to stick with conservative because the older generation of business people are more likely to respect someone who dresses conservatively.

For IT/Operations they can expect business casual and there is a host of choices within that.

Make sure to point out that conservative is not a boring choice, its a smart choice.

For women, especially those going into a market position maintain conservative dress, not soo much cleavage and dont over-do the makeup.

tcnjbanker123 · Feb 25, 2010

I agree with much of what was said, additionally, no black suits and never ever black or dark colored shirts. Also no super skinny or black ties. Both are inappropriate. In college, I see way too many guys with black and wine red or dark purple dress shirts. Also in terms of fit instruct them to go to a reputable mens store and have their necks measured because I can't tell you how many undergrads and grown men i see who walk around looking like they stole a shirt from a 300 pound man.

Flambeur · Feb 25, 2010

Most common bad offenses I see:

-Aforementioned dark shirts and bad tie/shirt combos
-black suits, suits that are too baggy, even too slim sometimes (saw a guy going to an interview in what looked like a TB little boy suit with -1.5 break and all that.. )
-bad shoes (loafers, clubwear, etc)

Flambeur · Feb 25, 2010

Seriously though, the ******* guys with their dark purple shirts, shiny dark ties, and brown square toe club loafers..

UGH.

wsblend · Feb 25, 2010

Originally Posted by Flambeur

Seriously though, the ******* guys with their dark purple shirts, shiny dark ties, and brown square toe club loafers..

UGH.

..to the sight of which you say "you ******* guy.. *ugh*".

designprofessor · Feb 25, 2010

Any more goodies? these are great -I'm walking in at 3:00 and giving them the scoop.

Don Carlos · Feb 25, 2010

The more you can rail against black suits, the better. I see them all too often on campuses these days, both at the undergrad and graduate levels, during interview season. It's hard to blame the kids for this mistake, as designers and stores are putting out tons of black suits these days, and men's magazines are pushing them as acceptable. So this may be a losing generational battle. But try, nonetheless.

tcnjbanker123 · Feb 25, 2010

Not so much a style thing, but stress modest dress especially for interviews, as in no contrast collars no cuff links... Also I would say that it's more important to invest in something that will last awhile if they are applying to a job. If a student has no suit ans is applying to medical school or the like where he won't wear one more than once or twice a year for a while then sure, Macy's is fine. If they are applying to a job where they will be wearing a suit frequently, tell them to not waste time and money on very cheap stuff, and to get good quality staples that will help them as they start out in their jobs.

asdf · Feb 25, 2010

Appropriate footwear is not square, nor is it the pointy-square elf-shoes.

philosophe · Feb 25, 2010

In addition to what's been said above, I'd advise the students to make sure that their clothes are appropriately pressed. It's important to look fresh at each interview.

AntiHero84 · Feb 25, 2010

Make sure they know how to button a jacket. Just the top on a two button, middle and top on a three button (or just the middle, but I doubt they would wear a 3/2).

Also, let them know about the proper length of trousers, shirt, and jackets.

Your advice to prospective graduates on interview and work attire.

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