When is it appropriate to wear Business Professional to a job interview?

2016-05-30T23:03:14-04:00

I've never worn a suit and tie to any interview. I've been told by hiring mangers in the past, wear what you would wear to the job, you're not impressing anyone with your blazer and suit. What would you recommend to a transitioning SM? Go all out or wear what is comfortable?

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made May 30 at 2016 11:07 PM

2016-05-30T23:07:38-04:00

It is always recommended to dress professionally, most of time you can't go wrong being overly dressed. But it does depend on the industry as well. With that said, you are never wrong to dress nice, dress slacks and button down collared shirt at a minimum. If you are going to any kind of professional job always wear a suit and tie (or for women the appropriate equivalent).

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made May 30 at 2016 11:08 PM

2016-05-30T23:08:29-04:00

Dress for the Job you want.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made May 30 at 2016 11:18 PM

2016-05-30T23:18:55-04:00

Quick story: I was a nurse case manager for the WTB at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and then transitioned to Fort Belvoir, VA. I had a Warrior in Transition who was from West Virginia, and I found out about a Jobs conference in Springfield, VA. Knowing that he needed some help, I asked about his resume, which he indicated that he was good to go. I then had him go buy a suit (informed him that the salesman would help him with the tie, shoes, and socks). Unfortunately, the day came and I was out of the office. He was frantic, and my partner in crime helped him tie his tie (this was the first time he had ever worn a suit). He went to the conference and came back to me and informed me that he was one of only three people who showed up in a suit and tie. By the way, he is now working for $70,000 in the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
BLUF: Want the job? Dress the part.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 11:34 PM

2016-05-30T23:34:51-04:00

If you are going for a job to drive a dump truck you most likely don't need to be in a suit and tie. If you are doing more of a professional environment office job it depends on the scope of your duties. Low level worker bee, probably slacks and a tucked in button up shirt. Upper management, probably need a tie maybe a sport coat. Executive level positions probably a suit and tie.

I got a job as gov contractor a few years ago, I showed up to the interview with dockers and a clean polo and got the job. Another guy wore a full suit and got it also, so I suppose it depends.

You probably will never go wrong with at least khakis and a polo or a casual button shirt. Probably not a good idea to show up with jeans and a T-shirt.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 11:37 PM

2016-05-30T23:37:23-04:00

I agree with everyone who's responded (just figured I'd add one more). When you go on the interview they'll be looking at you as a representative of their company. You can't go wrong in a suit and tie.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 11:46 PM

2016-05-30T23:46:08-04:00

Wear a suit and tie. Also research the company so that you can answer any questions that they throw at you. Interviewing is serious business, so do serious preparation.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 30 at 2016 11:49 PM

2016-05-30T23:49:08-04:00

I always went with the suit and tie. You can always relax to match company standards after you get the job, but you will never be able to get a second chance at a good first impression. They will see what you present and they will judge you accordingly. A good resume cannot counter a sloppy first impression.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 11:49 PM

2016-05-30T23:49:28-04:00

Just a heads up for anyone interviewing for Amazon... this company is all about what is comfortable for you (at least at my level of responsibility). I wore a flannel (rolled sleeves), nice set of slacks and black Nike Janoskis. But you can't go wrong with a little more "class"

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made May 31 at 2016 12:03 AM

2016-05-31T00:03:42-04:00

Always wear a suit & tie. Stand out from the crowd. Most of the interviews I had in suit & tie were for jobs that do not require it. Out of the blue, and unexpected to me, I ended up in a job that requires suit & tie every day.

On the flip side, there are some companies here in Alaska who dress causal all the time even for interviews. If you go in suit & tie you can always take off the tie and/or the coat if you have to downgrade. Always easy to downgrade if needed.

If in doubt, you can ask the hiring manager. Before you do that, consider driving by the place of employment and observe what people are wearing.

Response by SSG Thomas Gallegos made May 31 at 2016 12:21 AM

2016-05-31T00:21:04-04:00

I believe you always dress for the position.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made May 31 at 2016 1:35 AM

2016-05-31T01:35:36-04:00

Times change. So do the rules. Many of the hiring managers are half my age, and scoff at anyone who wears a suit. There are still some rules, though. Bankers=suits. Programmers=no way.

Personally, I look uncomfortable in a suit, and it makes others uncomfortable to see that.

Some professional "transition" companies that host job fairs for SM will insist on a suit for everyone, but I think they're misguided.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made May 31 at 2016 1:48 AM

2016-05-31T01:48:29-04:00

You only have one time to make a 1st impression. I was a contractor and interviewed for the role full time I could have took the approach that I am good, but I decided to wear a suit to leave an impression that I really wanted the role

Response by TSgt Eric Lewis made May 31 at 2016 7:33 AM

2016-05-31T07:33:21-04:00

I've always tried to at least wear the level of attire worn by the employee that is working the position I am applying for. When I applied for my electrician position, I wore a nice shirt, pants, and tie. Felt really overdressed. However, I did get the job. Really though, at the least, look your best (clean and presentable). For example, my last gave-to-face was on my normal work day at my old job and the interviewer set the interview for after my shift. I just made sure I cleaned up.
The lead manager, at my location, has said it's all how the applicant presents themself, not, as much, what they look like.

Response by PO1 Chris Morrow made May 31 at 2016 7:48 AM

2016-05-31T07:48:57-04:00

Don't be afraid to ask your point of contact in the prospective company (especially if the POC in a hiring manager) what you should wear to the interview. They can give you great insight and help. This will not be seen as a weakness, but rather a desire to make sure that you present the way the hiring managers want to see.

Response by PO1 Chris Morrow made May 31 at 2016 7:57 AM

2016-05-31T07:57:40-04:00

When I was pursuing the job I currently have, I did overdress for my job interview. While I was in a suit, he and both of the other interviewers were in polo shirts. I had to be picked up, since the interview location was access controlled, on the way to the interview location, riding with the manager, I asked if I should wear my jacket. He told me it was not necessary. I went sans jacket, but still with button up shirt and tie. I out dressed them all, and after the interview, while I was introduced to most of the rest of the team that I was joining, I noticed that not a single one wore a tie. The normal attire was business casual. I overdressed, but I was able to modify on the fly, and the manager may have even seen that as a positive trait. Be prepared, but also be flexible.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 8:35 AM

2016-05-31T08:35:07-04:00

You have to know the culture of the company you're applying for.

I grew up being taught that a suit and tie says that your mature enough to value the interviewer's time...and responsible enough to own/correctly wear "professional" attire.

Life experience has taught me this is not always correct.

I once showed up for a management position interview in a suit, only to be asked to go out into the lay-down yard and move several pallets of goods. Without hesitation, I stripped the jacket and tie, hopped on the lift, and moved the materials...I got the job. The question is, did the interviewer come up with the "test" because I showed up in a suit, or because that was the test he had in mind before I got there? I think if I had shown up in what the interviewer wore...jeans, boots and a polo shirt...I may have been asked harder questions, and ultimately not been asked to demonstrate my basic skills...ultimately meaning that wearing my suit was a "good" idea; only because I had those skills in the first place.

At another interview (again, for a management position)...the interviewer showed up, again, in casual working attire...I "lost" the job until I walked outside to smoke and found the interviewer already there. After a few minutes, he offered me the job. He explained later that he initially thought I was too "squeaky clean", until discovering my "vice" led into a more informal conversation of my skill sets and experience.

However, I've been to other interviews where not only wearing a suit...but the "right" suit was as important as knowing the quarterly performance of the department one wished to join. Wearing a charcoal suit with a solid blue tie says, "I'm a conformist"...whereas wearing a blue suit with a "slim" red pattern tie says, "I'm a maverick" to many. If your interviewing with a company like Pratt and Whitney...you want to look the "part"; if you're vying for a position with Virgin Atlantic, you don't want to look like an accountant. Ultimately, if either suit comes from Wal-Mart, you're in trouble. I think if you're at that level though...you already know what is, and what isn't acceptable, long before showing up for the interview.

My "go to" choice is usually khaki slacks (pressed), polished but brown shoes, a white oxford collar shirt (cotton) and a basic, blue wool blazer with "regimental" striped gold/blue tie-all of reasonable quality. If the interviewer is in a suit, I'm not uncomfortably "under-dressed", if they're in casual attire, I can quickly remove the jacket and show that I recognize their preferred tone. If I'm actually invited out for drinks after the interview...I'm ready for either a cocktail bar or the "local spot" with a few modifications. Mostly, it shows versatility and preparedness.

Response by PO3 Jade Crowsmeadow made May 31 at 2016 11:01 AM

2016-05-31T11:01:40-04:00

Always dress for the job you want. Be professional and kept. A suit says you respect them enough to take the time to look your best. Remember how you use your words and your body language is just as important as the suit.

Response by SPC Terry Martin made May 31 at 2016 11:55 AM

2016-05-31T11:55:08-04:00

A Great book to read is "The Men's Dress for Success" by John Mallory.

Basically, it depends on the job you are applying for and how bad you want it. Interviews are to see how you look, talk, respond, your vision and your knowledge on the position.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made May 31 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-05-31T12:11:33-04:00

I've always worn coat and tie for office job interview and slacks shirt and tie for floor level positions. Most hiring managers appreciate your professionalism. Just my opinion but if you are hiring for a mechanics job then business casual is appropriate.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 31 at 2016 5:00 PM

2016-05-31T17:00:43-04:00

I worked in both the private and public sectors and did interviews in both sectors. In general if you are interviewing for a salaried position as opposed to an hourly job, I recommend the suit or at least a sport coat and tie. I know the IT community is more informal than the management consulting type work I did, but I don't think interviewers would be put off by seeing you in a suit.

Where you work and what your job is make the difference. If you look at my profile picture, you'll see how I dressed for work every day as a GS-14 in a two-star headquarters. When I was a contractor doing military exercise planning, I often wore business casual because that's what the government civilians I worked with wore. At both the two- and four-star headquarters where I worked, the IT technicians--the folks who would come to your desk to install your new computer, etc.-- wore business casual. Sometimes they even downgraded to jeans and a polo shirt if they had to pull wires or work under the floor panels.

If the hiring manager says to wear business casual, do it. If it's not specified, wear a suit.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2020 10:06 AM

2020-06-30T10:06:16-04:00

No one will fault you for being overdressed. The opposite could definitely negatively impact your prospects of getting hired.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 30 at 2020 11:40 AM

2020-06-30T11:40:23-04:00

I wore a suit with tie to every interview. I was interviewing for Director level positions. It was appropriate and expected.