What to wear at an interview for a senior job tomorrow?

[Undirection]

It's been a while since I had an interview and last time I wore a suit but no tie. The rec consultant didn't help when I asked him. It's for a Head of Marketing role for a mid sized company which provides office equipment. They are casually dressed in the office normally.

Is a suit too much? Do I need a tie? Is a shirt and decent jeans smart casual or too smart casual?

Job pays about £75k+ (I put that just to give you an idea of the level of seniority)

[blueg33]

I go for a suit, no tie. I work in housebuilding, office is relatively casual and the company provides polo shirts and sweatshirts which you can choose whether to wear or not.

I go to work in black jeans and a shirt with no tie. I wore a suit with no tie to the various interviews. I also recently interviewed for a non exec director role at a large charity that develops homes. Again a suit no tie, I got the position to add to my powerfully built director status

Edited by blueg33 on Monday 25th March 11:13

[Notsofastfrank]

Different strokes etc. I am old and worked in Financial Services. If someone turned up for an interview in suit but no tie that would be a negative. If they turned up in jeans they probably would be told not to bother. I don’t think you can be overdressed for an interview. Good luck.

[GreatGranny]

IMO suit definitely but I don't think it would affect your chances if you wore a tie or not.

[Countdown]

Notsofastfrank said:

Different strokes etc. I am old and worked in Financial Services. If someone turned up for an interview in suit but no tie that would be a negative. If they turned up in jeans they probably would be told not to bother. I don’t think you can be overdressed for an interview. Good luck.

I work in Finance. There are probably more people coming for interviews in Suit / No Tie than Suit with tie.

That being said I'd always err on the side of caution and wear a tie

[Muzzer79]

Depends on the setting.

If the interview is at the office and is your first or second meeting - suit with tie.

If it's in a less formal setting (i.e a lunch/coffee meeting or similar) Suit with no tie is fine or a blazer jacket and trousers with open shirt.

If you've had several interviews and you know your interviewers reasonably well - suit with no tie is fine.

[OMITN]

Suit with a tie.

No-one (sensible that you’d want to work for) will judge you negatively for overdressing.

I’m in various job processes at the moment and I know I will have to squeeze myself into my one remaining suit when it comes to face to face interview time.

[Undirection]

Thanks, everyone, I am going to go in a suit but not with a tie. As said above, a tie won't make the difference in me getting the job

[blueg33]

Muzzer79 said:

Depends on the setting.

If the interview is at the office and is your first or second meeting - suit with tie.

If it's in a less formal setting (i.e a lunch/coffee meeting or similar) Suit with no tie is fine or a blazer jacket and trousers with open shirt.

If you've had several interviews and you know your interviewers reasonably well - suit with no tie is fine.

If you know them really really well, your pants or a gimp suit are fine too






not serious - obvs

[Mr.Chips]

I went for an interview last week, for a voluntary job with the police. Went dressed in suit and tie because that is what I have always worn when going for an interview. I did ask for advice from friends and family beforehand and the general consensus was go dressed up. Don’t forget, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

[R6tty]

Rule of thumb, as I was taught (old school) go to an interview dressed 'one up' from what you would probably be wearing if you were in the job.

[Bluevanman]

I don't think you can be too smartly dressed for a job interview.
I went to a wedding some years ago,and apart from the groom I was the only one in a suit and tie,same with funerals,suit and tie unless told otherwise.
People are so scruffy these days, standards have dropped, I must be getting old

[darreni]

Wear a suit for sure.
Make sure it fits as it should so you are comfortable wearing it.

[soad]

A suit and smart tie should work wonders.

[Bluevanman]

R6tty said:

Rule of thumb, as I was taught (old school) go to an interview dressed 'one up' from what you would probably be wearing if you were in the job.

What if you're going for the job of a stripper?

[CrgT16]

Suit always with a tie in my opinion.
The tie can be bland but it’s just finishes the shirt, same as a belt finishes the trousers I think, it’s part of the outfit imo.

But these days everyone is lax, can’t see how a tie would be a problem, maybe people can’t tie a knot or something.

[shirt]

Notsofastfrank said:

I don’t think you can be overdressed for an interview.

As much as I dislike formality and ‘rules’ I can’t really argue with this. You simply can’t be disadvantaged. The last time I wore a suit and tie was for my last interview, and the next time will be at my next one.

And yes, good luck with the interview.

[blueg33]

sunnyb13 said:

How is a £75k job a senior job?

Either you’re being low balled on salary, or it’s a fairly mid level role.

The worlds moved on from suits and ties since covid.

Jeans, a shirt and a 1/4 zip merino wool jumper.

Depends on the industry, but there is no need to burst his bubble. Some of the most senior jobs eg non exec’s pay very little.

[AB]

I'm 38 so can't be considered old school and it's been a while since I had an interview, but it'd always be suit with tie for me, no matter what role, especially if a first second interview in a formal setting like an office.

[Andy3809]

I’m evidently the odd one out but ties are finished. To me it’s a negative if you wear one as it typecasts you as a bit square. Suit and a shirt (that fits well).