How important is the navy blue suit during interviews versus another dark color?

[911lil]

I know that may seem like a dumb question, but I have heard that the blue suit with a red tie is the standard interview attire. My concern is that I have already bought a darker charcoal colored one for a considerable amount of money and really do not want to buy another one.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank

 

[Gator1999]

In my opinion no, you don't have to go and buy another suit. True the Navy with Red tie is a tried and trusted way of dressing but as you will find out in an interview room of 30 or so candidates, you will match about half of the others that are after the same job. Go with what you're most comfortable with. If you are more comfortable in charcoal than in Navy, you'll be more relaxed and therefore carry yourself better. Just my 2 cents...

 

[hyflyt560]

My charcoal with maroon tie got me the job with UAL. A friend of a friend wore a purlple suit to a Cathay interview...got the job. I saw a furloughed TWA/AA guy wear a black suit with more wrinkles in it than a Sharpei...got the job (at Cathay). Wear what you have, and if it's a two part/day interview process, maybe think about having a second suit. Someone once told me to have your shoes, belt, and brief case match...and, polish the scratches out.

 

[leardawg]

Dang! I wonder if I can return that McDonalds Hamburglar outfit I just bought?

 

[STINKER]

Dude,
Stay away from the neons and colors like pink and powder blue! Good Luck!!

Cheers,
Stinker

 

[MED]

When I went for Cathay interview I was the only one wearing navy blue suit and red tie, and I didn't get the job. It's not what you wear it's what you say.

 

[Rook3]

Is Grey also acceptable?

I am currently enrolled in a airliner interview class at my university, we were told navy blue and grey were acceptable colors and only to wear a white shirt underneath as well as solid colored tie. Anyone heard this as well?

 

[check six]

Famous saying from major airline HR manager,
We only ask 3 things of our pilots:
1. Show up on time
2. Don't run into anything hard
3. Look sharp

Pax airline business is all about image. Blue suit, red tie. That's why politicians wear that getup. You might get hired if you wear gray, brown, purple, yellow, etc, but it won't be because of your appearance.

 

[Draginass]

A dark grey suit is perfectly acceptable. I've had 3 airline interviews with heavy jet cargo operators and legacy passenger airlines. I wore a dark grey suit with a white shirt, and red or blue pattern ties and was hired by all of them. The color tie is not important as long as it's fairly conservative and goes with the suit. Appearance won't get you the job, you qualifications and personality will. However, if you show up in looking less than sharp, you're telegraphing something of your personality right there.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I am currently enrolled in a airliner interview class

you gotta be kidding me.

let me guess, ERAU?

 

[Fins Up]

Some guy at the JetBlue interview on Jan 12th was wearing his captain uniform from his current job. No, I'm not kidding. Mabye it's just me but that seems like a dumb thing to do. Should I have worn my service dress blues and Navy wings?

 

[A1FlyBoy]

The secret, no matter what the industry, is to look professional...

 

[V-STALL]

Some guy at the JetBlue interview on Jan 12th was wearing his captain uniform from his current job. No, I'm not kidding. Mabye it's just me but that seems like a dumb thing to do. Should I have worn my service dress blues and Navy wings?

No really- you have got to be kidding!

 

[C425Driver]

I got my last two jobs wearing a grey suit with a yellow tie. I chose not to wear blue/red so I wouldn't look like every other person that came through the door.

C425Driver

 

[FN FAL]

Pax airline business is all about image. Blue suit, red tie. That's why politicians wear that getup.

Conform!





:laugh:

 

[Ralgha]

I am currently enrolled in a airliner interview class at my university, we were told navy blue and grey were acceptable colors and only to wear a white shirt underneath as well as solid colored tie. Anyone heard this as well?

Bunk. I wore a dark red shirt, patterned tie, and got hired.

White is boring. It screams "I'M INSECURE AND MUST BLEND IN WITH THE OTHER AUTOMATONS INTERVEWING!!!"

 

[Resume Writer]

Wearing conservative colors is always the best option. I do not subscribe to the navy blue suit / red tie theory. Appearance does matter. I always wanted to see interviewees come through my door in a freshly pressed, well-fitted suit, color coordinated tie, with shined shoes and a briefcase or portfolio that was in good condition.

Just a couple of more hints. Get your hair cut a week or more before the interview. That way, in case someone does not do a stellar job, it has some time to grow out. Make sure your socks match the hem of your pants or darker. Carry your brief case / portfolio in your left hand so your right hand is free for the handshake. Make sure that the paperwork you carry in your portfolio is organized so you can quickly find what the interview person needs.

One final note. It not only matters what you wear, but what you say in the interview and how you carry yourself. Make sure you think about the answers to typical interview questions. Practice those answers with someone. Do not sound rehearsed, but organized in your thought process.

Good luck in your interview!

 

[TWA Dude]

Gray suit and a Jerry Garcia tie with lots of my favorite color, green. No, I'm not kidding. The tie isn't too splashy.

 

[fartknocker]

Some guy at the JetBlue interview on Jan 12th was wearing his captain uniform from his current job. No, I'm not kidding. Mabye it's just me but that seems like a dumb thing to do. Should I have worn my service dress blues and Navy wings?

To me this seems like someone who doesn't care enough about the interview to go and buy a new siut. It shows a lack of preparation. It seems that this person is too fond of the current job to leave for the new one. Just my opinion. I would definitely get a suit for the interview!

 

[b757driver]

How about using some good old common sense here? If you have to ask this kind of question that in itself raises some flags, or maybe you've just heard too many rumors.
Just be yourself and dress conservatively.
On the other hand, you don't want to look like a clone either. Make sure the suit is pressed and your shoes are shined, tie goes with the suit, not too loud. Actually, some of those Jerry Garcia ties are pretty cool if you want to make a statement. A lot also depends on the corporate culture of the airline. What may work for AA/UAL might be completely different from Omni/NAA or the up-coming Virgin America.