How To Dress?

[No Delay]

I am getting ready for an interview soon and have a question about what to wear. I know it should be your best dress...but does it have to be a suit?

I do not own a suit (as far as matching coat and pants). But I do own a couple of nice dress coats / sports coat. I have a dark blue dress coat that could be worn with some tan dress slacks. Would that be appropriate? Can't really afford to drop $200-300 on a suit right now.

I know it is a silly question...I just want to do it right. Any advice?

 

[350DRIVER]

Ahaaa... I don't think I would be wearing a "dark blue dress coat that could be worn with some tan dress slacks" if it were me going to a regional airline interview. Most everyone will be wearing a suit so I would suggest the same for you. . As the ole saying goes, "dress to impress".

I think this is pretty simple, go out and buy a suit...

3 5 0

 

[Dep676]

I am getting ready for an interview soon and have a question about what to wear. I know it should be your best dress...but does it have to be a suit?

I do not own a suit (as far as matching coat and pants). But I do own a couple of nice dress coats / sports coat. I have a dark blue dress coat that could be worn with some tan dress slacks. Would that be appropriate? Can't really afford to drop $200-300 on a suit right now.

I know it is a silly question...I just want to do it right. Any advice?

You really must not want the job to bad then. You need to find a way to buy a new suit or borrow one. Get the credit card out. Good Luck.

 

[mudkow60]

Can you rent a suit? If you can rent a tux, why not? Good luck though. I have an interview next month (military) and have to get a new, less worn uniform, so I know the pain!

 

[FearlessFreep]

I know it should be your best dress...

Well if you are going to wear a dress at least make sure to shave your legs!

Seriously, no matter what gender you are dress "Professionally". It is better to be a bit overdressed than underdressed. With a suit you can easily shift into a more casual mode just by taking the jacket off.

Remember that during your whole time that you are at your prospective employer's location you are being evaluated. During your time in the interview be yourself and RELAX!

Good Luck!

 

[bobbysamd]

Pilot interview dress

I just want to do it right. Any advice?

This is one time where Kit Darby is correct. You are going on the interview of your life and you must do it right.

Somehow, somewhere, obtain a navy suit, white shirt and red tie. Wear this combination to the interview.

Do it. Pilot interviews are rare events. Good luck with your interview.

 

[English]

Sounds like money is the hangup here.

Why not take the dark blue coat you already own to a place like Men's Wearhouse and try to find a matching pair of pants? Be sure to get both tailored. I'd suspect the pants would cost you about $50, the tailoring maybe $25.

Good luck!

 

[Lead Sled]

FWIW, here are my thoughts. (I've conducted my share of interviews and I've been to one or two myself.) You didn't say what you are interviewing for. Come to the interview dressed to the same level as the job you're applying for ie, airline job suit and tie or perhaps a recently washed pair of Levis and a clean T-shirt if you're applying for a CFI position (Just kidding!).

If money's tight, check out some place like Good Will or one of the other thrift shops that you'll find in almost any city. You'll occasionally find new or nearly new suits for next to nothing prices.

 

[cale42]

Gotsta, gotsta have a suit... everyone else here is dead on you have no other option.. navy, black, or charcoal.. have a specific tie and shirt that you wear with it... don't try and just mix and match.. it will show. And I hate to say this, but anyone that has been doing interviewing for any period of time can tell the difference between a $150 suit and a $500 suit. Don't run up massive debt but buy the best that you can. Try Marshall Fields.. they often have good deals, and if you open a credit card with them they will give you another few percent off. By keeping an eye on sales I got a $650 suit marked down to under $400.. looks great, and it gives you an added boost of confidence knowing that you are dressed better than the majority.


cale

 

[Lori Clark]

Remember the reason you are dressing nicely here - to show respect for your future employer. Wear a suit. This is one of the biggest days of your professional career, invest wisely.

Perhaps you could borrow a suit if you absolutely cannot afford one? But make sure it fits properly. An interviewer will notice if the shoulders hang and the sleeves are too long - it looks sloppy. There are a lot of good ideas already posted about creatively obtaining one. Most certainly you can borrow a tie if you don't own one of those - just make sure it is conservative and not "loud". Shoes are another important factor. They don't need to be new, but make sure they look nice and get them shined.

Dress for success...


Lori

 

[Resume Writer]

I agree with what everyone has said here. You need to dress in a suit, with a nice tie and dress shirt. Make sure that you are wearing a long sleeve dress shirt, so you appear professional if there comes a time where you take off your coat. Make sure your shoes are shined and you wear socks that are the same color as the hemline of your pants or darker.

If you take a briefcase or portfolio with you to carry your resume and important papers, make sure it is in your left hand, so your right hand is always free to shake hands with the interviewer.

As others have said, there are many options to getting a new suit. There are many "second-hand" type stores out there today. Look for one that specializes in used business type clothing. Call them first and ask what they carry in stock.

I have used these stores often and have found some great buys. I buy all of my daughters clothes at the used baby stores. They are always in great condition and are much less expensive than a regular store.

Good luck!
Kathy

 

[bobbysamd]

Habadashers

And I hate to say this, but anyone that has been doing interviewing for any period of time can tell the difference between a $150 suit and a $500 suit. Don't run up massive debt but buy the best that you can. Try Marshall Fields.. they often have good deals, and if you open a credit card with them they will give you another few percent off. By keeping an eye on sales I got a $650 suit marked down to under $400..

I wouldn't go to Sears or Penney's for a suit. For openers, go to any major department store, i.e. Foleys, Filenes, Robinsons, etc.. Even if these stores aren't advertising sales, every time I go in they always seem to have sales. And they sell good brands. No, you don't have to go to Saks, Nordstrom's or Lord's for a decent suit.

Another place I recommend is Joseph A. Banks. Joseph Banks sells excellent clothes at fair prices. Their suits aren't really on hangers; you are first asked for your size and the salespeople select a coat and pants that will fit you. Be prepared to pay extra for tailoring.

Finally, take your wife, girlfriend, etc. shopping with you. Women see things guys don't when purchasing clothes.

Happy shopping.

 

[No Delay]

Many Many Thanks

Hey, you guys are great. Thanks for all the feedback. I really appreciate everyone's advice.

I had almost talked myself into just wearing the dress coat...thinking it really couldn't make that much of a difference. Obviously it does make a difference.

This interview is important to me - I will just have to come off the money.

Again, thanks for taking the time to share.

 

[blee256]

Blue suit, red tie, white shirt?? Seriously? I have a black suit and a gray suit, are niether of these suits appropriate?

-Brian

 

[Lori Clark]

Brian-

You should be just fine in either a black or gray suit. Conservative is the key here.

Lori

 

[lowtimeguy]

I thought red ties were a no-no, as they imply power...???

Cuffed pants are reserved for CEO's and the like, not struggling up and comers.

Make sure your socks match your suit.