Interview advised "business casual" in invite e-mail - suit overkill?

Median · Mar 16, 2009

So I have an interview with a promising company this Thursday.

In the e-mail invite, the interviewer stated, "Dress is business casual".

Does that mean I should not wear a suit, i.e. that I'd stick out as too stuffy for wearing one?

AvariceBespoke · Mar 16, 2009

what industry, what does the company do, where are their offices, what kind of position is this?

cwh812 · Mar 16, 2009

I would not wear a tie. I would wear a jacket though because it is still an interview. I'd err on the conservative side of business casual (not khakis). Perhaps a suit sans tie.

Xiaogou · Mar 16, 2009

Originally Posted by AvariceBespoke

what industry, what does the company do, where are their offices, what kind of position is this?

Good questions. If anything, I would wear a tie and skip the suit.

Pantless · Mar 16, 2009

If I were you, I would need some VERY STRONG indication that I should not wear a suit before I didn't wear a suit. If you are not familiar with the industry, I would suggest talking with several people in the industry and only not wearing a suit if every single one of them says not to.

An interview is a suit situation, even if they say you don't need to wear a suit.

AvariceBespoke · Mar 16, 2009

Originally Posted by Median

So I have an interview with a promising company this Thursday.

In the e-mail invite, the interviewer stated, "Dress is business casual".

Does that mean I should not wear a suit, i.e. that I'd stick out as too stuffy for wearing one?

if its in the finance/legal/accounting industry OR if its in a major metropolitian city in the US (SF, NY, Boston, Chicago) i would probably wear a suit, regardless if they say business casual... if you know its something casual like technology or maybe even advertising.. id lose the tie and wear a jacket

AvariceBespoke · Mar 16, 2009

Originally Posted by Pantless

An interview is a suit situation, even if they say you don't need to wear a suit.

agree

Bradford · Mar 16, 2009

If they made a point of stating that the attire is business casual, then I would not wear a suit.

I would wear a pair of slacks, button down shirt and a conservative sport coat. You can always lose the sport coat if the place is really casual when you get there.

Wearing a suit just says you're not paying to attention to what they said and gives off the sign that you might not fit in if they hire you.

constant struggle · Mar 16, 2009

WEar a suit, check out everyone else, could always leave the jacket off

JLibourel · Mar 16, 2009

Originally Posted by Bradford

If they made a point of stating that the attire is business casual, then I would not wear a suit.

I would wear a pair of slacks, button down shirt and a conservative sport coat. You can always lose the sport coat if the place is really casual when you get there.

Wearing a suit just says you're not paying to attention to what they said and gives off the sign that you might not fit in if they hire you.

Precisely the advice I would have given.

JohnGalt · Mar 16, 2009

Originally Posted by Bradford

If they made a point of stating that the attire is business casual, then I would not wear a suit.

I would wear a pair of slacks, button down shirt and a conservative sport coat. You can always lose the sport coat if the place is really casual when you get there.

Wearing a suit just says you're not paying to attention to what they said and gives off the sign that you might not fit in if they hire you.

+1

factorial · Mar 16, 2009

I'd wear a suit sans tie or perhaps trousers and a jacket unless the industry is one well known for embracing casual wear (programming, IT, or "creative" pursuits).

JayJay · Mar 16, 2009

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Precisely the advice I would have given.
I tend to agree with this but would wear a tie with an odd jacket and slacks. The tie can be removed, if needed.

TGPlastic · Mar 16, 2009

Business casual at my old law firm meant creased dress slacks, a tucked-in polo or oxford, well-shined shoes, and sometimes a jacket. Not a suit. Everything needed to fit right and be pressed. Never flashy. In an effort to follow my boss's lead, I always wore a v-neck undershirt.

ChiliPalmer · Mar 16, 2009

If you're worried about being too casual or not getting the look right, wear a suit and make it a point to tell them you have somewhere else to go afterwards (or beforehand - whatever the appropriate lie).

Interview advised "business casual" in invite e-mail - suit overkill?

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