dparkin's picture Submitted by dparkin on
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Career Management

I have an interesting question…
I have internal interview coming up for a new position and it just occurred to me that the normal coat and tie might not be appropriate. This is a development and manufacturing organization where the professional staff is almost always wearing dress shirts without ties or coats. As I prepare for interviews I definitely will wear a tie but should I wear the coat? The interviewees will be colleagues I already work with (matrix organization) so it would be completely out of place to see me in a coat and tie.

The tie yes - the coat?

Dave

Nik's picture
Submitted by Nik on Friday June 13th, 2008 6:26 pm

I'd suggest wearing the coat. It shows that you value this interview and are not treating it as a mere formality.

I wouldn't worry about whether it makes you stand out from the other candidates. People who stand out will generally be asked more questions, as the interviewers strive to prove their first impressions. (Whether that's to verify that you're a great candidate, or to break you down and show you for the overdressed phony you are is irrelevant) More questions means more opportunity to demonstrate how exceptional you are.

In either case, you'll respond with well prepared, even exceptional, answers. And those answers are what will get you the offer.

Since you're already going to be exceptional in your interview since you're following the interviewing series' suggestions (you are, right?), standing out from the other candidates is definitely a Good Thing.

AManagerTool's picture
Submitted by AManagerTool on Friday June 13th, 2008 6:59 pm

You can never overdress but you can always underdress.

Wear the jacket.

thaGUma's picture
Submitted by thaGUma on Friday June 13th, 2008 8:15 pm

My guys will put on their jacket and walk 5 yards into a meeting and take it off again. Wear a jacket - it is an interview. Your peers might think it overdressing - your bosses will think that you are making an effort.

dparkin's picture
Submitted by dparkin on Saturday June 14th, 2008 12:08 am

Thanks guys,
As I thought. It makes sense and it's the business norm. I do want the job and I'm willing to show that.

Who know...maybe I'll take to wearing ties again on a regular basis.

Dave

HMac's picture
Submitted by HMac on Sunday June 15th, 2008 9:31 am

Here's a intreresting bit of learning:

I was just at an interview on Thursday (not internal - it was for another employer). I wore a dark blue suit, white shirt, a conservative tie, even though I knew the organization was more casual. But after all, I kept telling myself, it's an interview.

Not only did I feel fine (though I was the only guy with a tie on as far as I could see..), but I noticed that my interviewer had made the effort to dress up that day - she had a suit on.

I felt even better to have made the full effort myself - and would have felt like a complete jerk if I hadn't made the effort, and my interviewer had!

Thanks again M/M!

-Hugh