interview: suit, shirt and tie, or business casual? 9

[sgtlethargic]

I'm having a wardrobe malfunction. I am a Levi's and T-shirts kind of guy, but I obviously can't wear that for an engineering interview. I have a clean suit, and it might even fit, but it seems like overkill. I thought a shirt and tie would be fine. I tried on what I have. I almost feel like I'm choking with the collar buttoned. It's not comfortable. I would feel more comfortable in what I guess is business casual- Dockers slacks and a button shirt, no tie, no chokehold. Is that good enough? Or should I buy a better fitting shirt and wear a tie? Or wear the monkey suit?

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[Ashereng]

You can always ask your interviewer what you should wear.



"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Heckler]

I like competing against candidates that are too lazy or ignorant to wear a shirt and tie.

Words of wisdom.

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

 

[sgtlethargic]

<<<
melone (Electrical) 10 Oct 07 22:14
Isn't the primary responsibility of application engineers to deal face-to-face with customers? If you don't like "dressing up", how do you plan on dressing when dealing with customers?
>>>

I don't know much about it, but the job description says, "... liaison between Sales and Engineering resolving customer application issues". I will have to adapt and challenge myself if a position requires dressing up regularly. The same goes for everything about a new position, especially since I only have 3.5 years of experience at one workplace, and I need to work on my confidence.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[epoisses]

OK I guess that means you will visit a customer together with a sales person. In that case no problem to play the classical tandem: the sales person nicely dressed up and full of cr**, the engineer dressed like cr** but with a positive IQ The better you dress as an engineer, the more the customer might confuse you with the sales guy. However if you visit the customer alone you can't avoid having to dress up.

 

[schnipp]

Ask the interviewer or whoever set it up for you.

When I interviewed for this place (corn processing plant), it was strictly stated to dress business casual. All those I interviewed with were in company uniforms, so if I would have come in a suit, I would have looked out of place. But then again, this place (and previous employer) both have the notion that engineers and managers are out on the floor hand in hand with operators at times.

 

[trey25624]

Always wear a suit. If you think someone will look down upon you for being well dressed, then you probably don't want to work for them. You don't have to wear expensive clothes but look presentable and take pride in your appearance. It should give you confidence too. Clothes make the man.
As a sidenote, this seems to be an issue with engineers in general. They just don't take much stock in their appearance. If you do care and make an effort to look nice, I think that gives you an edge and you'll command more respect. That being said I love wearing jeans and T-shirts too. I'm done preaching, go buy yourself a suit that fits.

 

[Timelord]

Its always better to be over dressed rather than under dressed. A suit will assure that, unless they all wear tuxedos.

Timelord

 

[cvg]

you should always "dress for success", even after you land the job. So, unless your job requires it, get rid of the jeans and t-shirts at work. you always want to be dressed slightly better than your staff and not quite as nice as your boss. So, considering you are interviewing for a fairly low staff position, don't overdo it. Tailored shirt and diamond cuff links might be a bit much for a junior level staff engineer. However, wearing a clean suit or sport jacket (that fits) and tie for your interview is probably the way to go.

 

[Gymmeh]

CVG - so cliche

I dress better then any one here, even my boss... I started dressing down a little after a contractor asked me if I was an accountant...people expect engineers to have a certian look...i guess like Dilbert

 

[KENAT]

I got accused of being in sales for carrying a briefcase the other day. Although the guy accusing me where's his cycling kit all day every day.

Once you're settled in the place then within reason you want to blend in. For instance at my current place almost no one, including VPs routinely wears suit/tie.

I'd worn shirt and tie to the interview and wore the same my first day. Within minutes my boss pulled me aside and told me to take the tie off. I still haven't dressed down to shorts & T shirt like many but will sometimes wear Jeans and once or twice I've even worn a (fairly smart if there is such a thing) T shirt. Normally though it's business casual. So I'm smarter than a lot of the Engineers but not so much as to provoke ridicule.

However, unless you definitely know otherwise, shirt & tie & normally jacket for interview.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[GSTeng]

I once interviewed where it was asked that we DON'T wear a suit or even a tie, since the interview day involved a field trip to the oilfield. One guy still came in his fancy suit and tie. He got repremanded in front of every other candidate for not following simple orders. He did not get the job. I still traveled with my suit just in case but did not wear it.

I would go with the suit if no other direction is given. Can't hust to dress up. CAN hurt to dress down!