Unless it’s for a manager position, is it too much to wear a suit and tie for an interview?

February 19, 2010 by admin · 6 Comments
Filed under: Other - Careers & Employment 
business suit
SwimGuy asked:

I used to work in human resources, and I always thought it was too much for people to wear a suit and tie for an interview for low-paying office jobs.
At least I didn’t like it. I wanted to see how they would look everyday. I was more impressed with someone who dressed presentable who I could tell dressed that way on a regular basis. I think I can tell how confortable people feel with what they are wearing, and know if that’s the way they really dress.
Now, I have my own business. I always dress with colorful, bright long-sleeve shirts and pants. I don’t think I have any clothes other than from GAP, Banana Republic, and Perry Ellis. I don’t think I need to dress any better, I don’t even own a tie.

I still interview people. But now, I hate it even more when people wear a suit and tie.

Why do people dress in a way that’s not going to be how they are really going to be dressing?

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Comments

6 Responses to “Unless it’s for a manager position, is it too much to wear a suit and tie for an interview?”
  1. BH's brother says:
    February 22, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I wouldn’t say a suit is needed, but a tie is nice. I would hate to interview someone for the position, and when they show up for the first day of work, they aren’t dressed properly because they don’t own a tie. At least if they show up wearing a tie to the interview, I know that they own at least one tie. BH\’s brother

  2. hi91977 says:
    February 24, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    first impressions are everything. hi91977

  3. Lo B says:
    February 26, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    If you can’t even be bothered to dress well/appropriately for an interview (no matter what it’s for), then who’s to say what else you’ll be unwilling to do. Dressing well is something small & shouldn’t even be a 2nd thought. It shows you take pride in your appearance & care what other people think of you, the image you project, & how you represent the company you work for. How can you expect to advance from that low-paying position to something better if you can’t even take the time to buy a freaking tie? lol God is in the details or something like that. Lo B

  4. TC says:
    March 1, 2010 at 4:16 am

    During the job interview process, an employer expects candidates to show their very best behavior. It is expected that a candidate should present the image of polished, professional and business-like, especially if the job is in an office environment. If someone is applying for a carpenter’s job, showing up in a suit and tie is obviously inappropriate. One dresses in accordance to meet or exceed the standard of the profession. If the candidate demonstrates poor judgment in something as simple as appearances, then there is the perception that there’s a good chance he or she will demonstrate poor judgment in other areas as well. TC

  5. lil_sister58 says:
    March 3, 2010 at 2:11 pm

    If the candidate has done the research on the position applied for ….they should know and therefore dress appropriately.
    I.E. a suit and tie in a law office is appropriate for just about any position no matter how “low-paying”….
    a suit and tie for a clerical job in a surf shop…not so appropriate

    So you see it all depends on the situation…going to an interview is one of the stressful things a person can do…if you CAN’T see past the suit……. lil_sister58

  6. webhead28 says:
    March 5, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Whenever you are interviewing for any position in an office you should dress professionally, even if the job is low-paying. The only exception would be if it is a very small company AND the interviewer tells you that its ok to dress casually for the interview. It may not be necessary to wear a suit for a position like the one you mentioned, but clean, neatly ironed pants and shirt (with a tie), and clean dress shoes look more professional if you are a guy.

    If you are interviewing people to work for your business and you prefer the casual look, then tell them to dress casually when you schedule the interview over the phone. webhead28

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