Emergency Reader Mail: What to Wear to an Informal Interview?
2018 Update: We still think this is a great discussion of what to wear to an informal interview — but you may also want to check out our more recent discussion of what to wear to an informational interview.
We haven't answered this kind of question in a while, so we thought we'd answer reader K's question…
My dream job has requested an “informal” interview for this week. The purpose is for the potential new boss to become familiar with my communication style; a formal interview would follow if I am successful. He is looking to meet at a coffee shop anytime during the day, evening, or even on the weekend.
How do I dress for an interview that is labeling itself as low-key? I'm not a JD or MBA, but I do have an advanced degree in a profession known for being a bit more casual. I feel like a cardigan should be included, but beyond that, I am clueless. Thank you!
First off: congrats on getting the informal interview, and good luck on the interview whenever it takes place.
Second: Avoid the weekend interview at all costs. Talk about a confusing dress code! On a weekday interview, if you're overdressed, then maybe it's because of your current job's requirements. It doesn't matter if it's in the evening or during the day, but the important thing is that you are coming or going to your job.
For my $.02, I would avoid a cardigan for a job interview. It doesn't convey authority, competence, or intelligence — or really any of the general things you want a prospective employer to think about you. It might convey that you're demure — it will definitely convey that you're chilly. (I have no problem, obviously, with wearing a cardigan to work — I am wearing one as I type this.) I think that for an interview — particularly a first one — you want to make the best impression possible, and that, to me, means a blazer at the very least.
That said, were it my dream job, I would bust out a full suit. (Originally pictured, Elie Tahari Exclusive for Nordstrom ‘Ava' Jacket, available at Nordstrom for $298. Also, be sure to check out our guide to interview suits.) I'd probably stick with a pants suit for the “informal” interview — perhaps even in a “friendlier” color like a gray or a brown — and amp up to a skirt suit in a more severe black or navy for the “real” interview, but that's me. If it's a job that really, really does not entail any sort of professional wear then I might go with a sheath dress and blazer, or perhaps a pair of non-matching trousers, paired with the blazer. (Incidentally, I'm hard-pressed to think of a career that doesn't require a suit occasionally — even a kindergarten teacher, who may be working on/near the ground with kids, would wear a suit from time to time. I often think of doctors as being fairly casually dressed in real life, but I would still think a suit would be appropriate for an interview.)
Readers, what are your thoughts for reader K's informal interview attire? Can anyone think of a career where a suit wouldn't be appropriate? What are your best tips on what to wear to an informal interview?
Current social media images (2018) via Stencil.
Thanks Mel!
on the topic of work wear how about a little maniacal mad men for inspiration….
http://www.what2wearwhere.com/blog/post/2010/08/17/What-to-Wear-to-Work-Mad-Men-Are-You-a-Joan-or-a-Peggy.aspx
These days its not about suit v. nonsuit, its about, do I look like an attorney? or someone who works in the clerks office? A hard to articulate line, but, I ask myself every morning if I would be confused with one of the clerks – whether its my hair, or my outfit, or my shoes or everything.
I love this blog, but dont ever take it too seriously. Somedays, I get away with dressing more casually because Im just “feeling” confident. Some days, I need to wear the suit in order to feel and convey authority. I mean, “it all depends” about sums it up… An interviewer is probably looking less at whether your heels are 1-2 inches or 3, and more at how does this person carry themself?
Anon at 10:26, am I correct in assuming that you’re in a B-school? My finance prof often wore very matchy dressy outfits that would be completely out of place at the social science conferences I’ve been to. Humanities types seem to be dressier than us, but not in the “professional” kind of way of business school folk. Am I correct?
Sharon and K, that’s the point–if it’s a calling, you’re not supposed to waste your time on empty headed stuff. There is no separation of on- vs. off-clock hrs, at least not for the academics I know (but I suppose people at teaching colleges with very little research commitment might see it differently)
Dress like you would for a client meeting or a witness deposition. That is, wear one of the “fashionable suits” featured in this blog’s regular “suit” column. It doesn’t have to be black or navy or super-conservative, but it should look like you are trying to project a professional and authoritative demeanor on behalf of your company or firm, and nothing does that as well as a blazer/suit jacket.
Love the comments. Lots to read. I work in science and I have only used a suit for my PhD defense. We basically are never required to wear suits but as I learned from my very successful and gorgeous female friend: Hot girls need to dress professionally to be taken seriously. So a suit is never too much. Even in science.
I would go for nice trousers in a neutral color and a crisp white shirt. Dressed without being overdressed.
Still need to read through all of the comments (got about halfway before my head started spinning). I’m in a similar situation to the OP, I’m currently going to interviews in a technical field (PhD scientist positions at biotech companies). For the on-site interviews with presentation, I wear a dark gray suit. No one has questioned this choice, even when some of the interviewers were dressed in jeans and plaid shirts with snaps (very chic in biotech right now). It’s the same level of dress that I expected of candidates during my last job, when I conducted a lot of interviews.
For the informal or coffee shop meetings, I was initially at a loss, so I thought about what I would expect of candidates if I’m conducting an interview. Now I have two options based on my body type and the level of formality in the field. Option 1 is a sheath dress with (yes) a cardigan and heels. Not a slouchy, V-neck cardigan, but a crewneck, Kennedy-type cardigan. Option 2 is dark gray dress pants, heels, a silky shell or top, and the same cardigan from option 1. Both options are safe business casual. I dislike blazers, and my chest and very short torso prevents me from looking good in almost any button-down shirt. Unless someone tells me different, I’m sticking with these options.