Attire for second interview

[GeekSheek]

I am 33 years old. I interviewed a while ago for a mid-senior level position at a contract research company. To set the stage, I will say that most people in my line of work dress rather casually (denim or khakis, sport shirts), including those at this company (for instance the hiring manager was wearing jeans; only the ceo and one vp were wearing suits). Granted this was a Friday visit, so I don't know how they dress Mon-Thurs. For my initial interview, I wore a navy suit (sb, two button, side vent, average lapel width), white point collar shirt, coordinating navy tie, black captoes.

I have been invited back for a second interview at the end of this week. The suit described above is the only suit I own that I would consider wearing for an interview and I can't buy a new charcoal suit before the end of this week. I'm planning on wearing the suit again, but with a light blue pinpoint oxford button down, wool charcoal tie, and perhaps wine longwings. The last bit is the sticking point. I know some say never to wear longwings with a suit, so there's that angle, and others say not to wear black shoes with a blue suit (looks like a uniform). Lastly, many would say never to deviate from black captoes for an interview, but this is not a finance job. Counterpoints: I like the shoes, wine goes with navy, it's a second interview at a casual company. Thoughts? Thanks.

PS- If deemed necessary, due to longwing and button-down oxford content, I will pose this thread over at the ask andy forums.

 

[ter1413]

Go for it....Sounds fine....Or go with the black shoes..

 

[GeekSheek]

OK, thanks.

/thread

 

[Quadcammer]

lose the wool tie, any of those shoes is fine.

 

[Zeppelin]

I'd just stick to black ... hey, at least it has already worked for the first interview. No one will remember your clothes anyway. Good luck with the interview!

 

[jt10000]

"I can't buy a new charcoal suit before the end of this week"

Are you sure?

 

[GeekSheek]

Assuming you're not trolling, I can't easily buy a new suit and get it altered in time, while being confident enough in the suit for interviewing. That, and I have not budgeted to buy a suit this week, so from a personal finance perspective, it's just not in the cards. This is what I meant, but chose to use the shorthand that you quoted. Thanks for your input.

 

[charliebrown2]

Keep it simple. Navy suit and black shoes. Just switch up the shirt and tie.

Then focus on the interview itself instead of the way you're dressed.

 

[urfloormatt]

I wouldn't worry about wearing the same suit to a second interview unless they were only a day or two apart. You've stated that the first round interview was "a while ago," so I'd just use the same approach you did the first time. The only thing I wouldn't do is wear the exact same tie.

 

[jt10000]

I'm not trolling. If the suit is close, not having it altered isn't the worst thing - non-SF people don't have quite the concern people here tend to.

Anyway, here's a discussion of wearing the same thing twice to interviews in a job-related, not stye-related, forum:http://www.askamanager.org/2012/06/can-i-wear-the-same-clothes-to-a-second-interview.html

 

[msulinski]

I am 33 years old. I interviewed a while ago for a mid-senior level position at a contract research company. To set the stage, I will say that most people in my line of work dress rather casually (denim or khakis, sport shirts), including those at this company (for instance the hiring manager was wearing jeans; only the ceo and one vp were wearing suits). Granted this was a Friday visit, so I don't know how they dress Mon-Thurs. For my initial interview, I wore a navy suit (sb, two button, side vent, average lapel width), white point collar shirt, coordinating navy tie, black captoes.
I have been invited back for a second interview at the end of this week. The suit described above is the only suit I own that I would consider wearing for an interview and I can't buy a new charcoal suit before the end of this week. I'm planning on wearing the suit again, but with a light blue pinpoint oxford button down, wool charcoal tie, and perhaps wine longwings. The last bit is the sticking point. I know some say never to wear longwings with a suit, so there's that angle, and others say not to wear black shoes with a blue suit (looks like a uniform). Lastly, many would say never to deviate from black captoes for an interview, but this is not a finance job. Counterpoints: I like the shoes, wine goes with navy, it's a second interview at a casual company. Thoughts? Thanks.
PS- If deemed necessary, due to longwing and button-down oxford content, I will pose this thread over at the ask andy forums.

Who says this? A navy suit with black captoes is quintessential business dress. You are going on a job interview, so I think that qualifies.

 

[dirkweems]

You should be fine if you wear what you described. My personal preference is for black cap toe shoes, but that is only my personal preference. They are less likely to remember your navy suit (unless it was 3 sizes too big or small) than your shirt and tie. Most people see a dark suit and don't really see much detail. As long as your clothes are clean, fit you nicely, and have nothing garish or "remarkable", you should be alright. Try not to give them anything to remember about your clothes. Good luck with the interview.

 

[GeekSheek]

Update: as the balance of opinions seemed to suggest, I went with the black captoes. Truthfully, I didn't realize until later that I didn't have an appropriate belt to wear with the longwings (I mostly wear them casually).

Anyway, enough about the outfit...the second interview went well and I presented a technical seminar which was a hit...feeling good about my outfit certainly helped. The same day, they extended me an offer which I countered. I ultimately accepted a mutually agreeable offer!

Thanks everyone for offering your opinions....it's always a tremendous help to walk into these situations with confidence.

 

[ter1413]



Update: as the balance of opinions seemed to suggest, I went with the black captoes. Truthfully, I didn't realize until later that I didn't have an appropriate belt to wear with the longwings (I mostly wear them casually).
Anyway, enough about the outfit...the second interview went well and I presented a technical seminar which was a hit...feeling good about my outfit certainly helped. The same day, they extended me an offer which I countered. I ultimately accepted a mutually agreeable offer!
Thanks everyone for offering your opinions....it's always a tremendous help to walk into these situations with confidence.