interview dress code for engineers 9

[westheimer1234]

which is a better semi formal for an interview
1. long sleeves with tie no coat
2. long sleeves with coat no tie

or should i go completely formal coat and tie

 

[IRstuff]

Well, good luck with that... You might get lucky and get hired in spite of your rather cavalier approach.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[NomLaser]

ornerynorsk

Typically, I keep the jacket on until I am in the conference room and right before I sit down I will drape it over the back of the chair. No reason to be more uncomfortable during the actual interview than you have to be.

 

[brandoncdg]

I always keep my jacket on for anything. But I have always liked the style like in Mad Men. I am 31 and think even though some people joke about an engineer wearing a suit, it does say something about the individual.

You really can't go wrong in an interview, and the worse thing you will hear, is that don't worry about dressing so formal, this is a relaxed office, jeans and t-shirt.

No tie and jacket to me sounds like happy hour after getting of the the govt. job, since they are the only engineers who generally dress up for work.

Though you could always ask the person who told you to come in for the interview what the dress code is like. I have been offered all jobs I interviewed for after my first 1.5 years of experience.

Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog

 

[KENAT]

I'm hesitant to say you can never go wrong with suit & tie - there were a few dissenting posts in the threads I linked such as the story about a software guy at an internet start up wearing beach wear and getting the job, or for jobs with a lot of site work where they wanted you to turn up in overalls & steal toed boots.

However, I'd say the chances of going wrong by being 'over dressed' are probably a lot less than the chances of going wrong by being 'under dressed'.

Though, as the OP has made up their mind I guess I'm wasting my time typing this.

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[cjw32]

Here's one for you to consider.

I attended my Chartered Engineer interview with 2 colleagues, who were getting interviewed as well. We had all joined the company at pretty much the same time. Myself and another colleague each wore a suit and tie whereas the other wore a shirt and tie with no jacket and a canvas type trouser. I remember asking him about this and his answer was that he was dressing for the interview as he would dress for work as he wanted to present himself as he was in a working environment.

Funnily enough only two of us passed our interviews. The other had to do an additional 6 months responsible experience before final approval.

Obviously, I would be flippant if I thought it was down to the clothing; he had worded his application in a way that sounded like he was under training rather than in a responsible position for 6 months. However, who is to know if that may have been overlooked or dismissed if he had presented himself in a more professional manner?

If you're dressed smart then it's one less thing to worry about on the day of the interview. Conversly, if you've dressed down then you may be wondering or worrying if your clothing is having a negative impact; that is an unnecessary distraction.

Remember, sometimes the interviewers will dress smarter when they're interviewing than in their normal day at the office. At my place of work I notice that some people on the interview board use the situation as an opportunity to impress their superiors as well as assessing candidates.

Dressing smart at the interview is an obvious and outward sign of desire to impress. It's a free tick in the box so why not use it?

 

[calguy07]

A suit and tie should NOT be the default choice for attire for an interview. you have to do some research first (this according to several interview coaches and resources). It depends on the work environment in question. In a perfect world, you'll know exactly what they wear to work on a daily basis and dress one step above that but how often do you know this??

I once dressed in a suit for an interview and the two interviewers wore khaki pants and polo shirts. I felt very awkward. on another occasion, I wore a suit again and all TEN of the interviewers around the boardroom table wore khakis and polos. Once again i felt very awkward. Another time I wore a khaki pant with a long sleeve shirt and had a really good and successful interview.

I believe that at the end of the day, content is more important as long as you're not overly casual. Where I live, engineers seem to be pretty relaxed about attire and don't really pay attention to it too much.

At the end of the day, do your research. Interviews are all about showing how well you'd fit in and dress is a part of it. Wearing a suit probably won't hurt you, BUT its even better if you dress to show that you fit in.

 

[livingston]

Wear the suit....carry the steel toed boots. Just wear a suit that you are willing to sacrifice should it become necessary. It will show that you know the importance of image but don't necessarily get caught up in it.

 

[KirbyWan]

I'm in the wear the suit and tie camp. I disagree with Calguy07. If everyone doing the interviewing is wearing khakis and polos I would still feel more comfortable wearing a suit and tie then khakis and polos. I'm the one interviewing, not them. Unless I was told to dress buisness casual, I go with the suit and tie. They are expecting someone who is trying to make a good impression. The comment about fitting in is valid, but I don't think critical. I would expect any new hire to dress according to the culture and not according to what they wore at the interview.

Just my thoughts.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[westheimer1234]

i'll bring my suit and leave it in my car.. if i feel under dressed once i get to interview, i'll go back wear my suit.. it's an invitation only/short list job fair..

 

[macmet]

I've been to a few interviews recently, and the shirt and tie seemed to be the best way to go. In a few of the interviews I felt overdressed in that.

I agree with whoever said that you should research the company and know the details of the job. I once applied to a job at a brick plant and I got the job. Later my boss told me in casual conversation that he didn't like one of the other candidates because he showed up to the interview in a suit and my boss felt he wouldn't deal well with being an engineer that had to get dirty in the brick plant environment.

But, if you're interviewing for V.P. of Engineering @ Rolls Royce, wear a suit.

 

[rbulsara]

Wear what others like, eat what you like!

Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[IRstuff]

By the time you decide you're underdressed, the impressions will have already been made.

The proper solution is to wear the suit and tie, and remove layers as needed. I don't get why you are having such difficulty with this; based on your performance here, I'd have trouble justifying hiring you.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[mauricestoker]

I always thought Mr. Peanut dressed sharply, all the way down to the monocle. However, it probably wouldn't be good to show your nuts.

 

[dgillette]

See linked photo showing how engineers should dress: 3 piece suit, bow tie, plug hat, pocket watch with fob, and muddy boots.

The photo is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, famed for building railroads, bridges, and tunnels in the UK. Engineers got respect in his day. I think you can find him on Wikipedia.

 

[cksh]

I have never worn a suit, but always wear a nice shirt and tie. I don't even own one.

They may not hire me because of it, but then I wouldn't want to work there anyway if that was what they based it on. I know my industry, and anything more than a polo and slacks is overdressed. I try to go one notch above what they wear. Not wearing a suit is a good way to tell how laid back the company is. It is not a fasion show. Showing up on time, researching the company, knowing how to relay your skills etc, are going to get you the job. You can look and be professional without a suit.

When I went to the interview for my current job I was in my usual attire, and everyone I interviewed with had a tie on. They obviously didn't care.

Eventually I will have to buy one. As I gain more years of experience, and move up the ladder I will have to start not only wearing one, but making sure it looks good on me too.

 

[IRstuff]

No one is forcing you to do anything, but just be aware that the reality is that better looking, taller people get hired over shorter, fatter, uglier people. Unfair though it may be, that's life in the big city.

And here's something to get you in the right frame of mind:

Clean shirt, new shoes
and I don't know what I am gonna do.
Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Gold watch, diamond ring,
I ain't missin' not a single thing.
cuff-links, stick pin
when I step out I'm gonna do you in.
They come a runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

Top coat, Top hat,
And I don't worry cause my wallets fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
lookin' sharp, lookin' for love.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[monkeydog]

KENAT,
You need to save this thread link for the same question in 6 months.

 

[Twoballcane]

ahhh ZZ Top, those were the days....

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[Christine74]

I suspect that the median age of the pro-suit crowd here is probably quite a bit older than the anti-suit crowd. One potential downside of wearing a suit to an interview is looking old/old-fashioned/outdated/out-of-touch. A suit could also make you appear prissy and/or desperate.

The decision really depends on the particulars of the job, the business climate, etc.

-Christine

 

[rbulsara]

No one else cares about you more than you do. So if you don't care for what others might think of you, why ask?

You are what other perceive you to be, especially meeting for the first time. It is up to you how you want to be perceived by others.

As for me, one who does not care about his/her own appearance, would not care about his/her work or company either, if I were hiring.


Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com