Would you really wear this to an interview?

[tigwig]

My husband had a bricklaying job interview today and he was the only person in a suit at the time. The person who came out before him had scruffy jeans on and a ripped t shirt! I know the job will not require looking smart but I think it's important to make a good first impression and thats what the boss said too thankfully. What do others think? Am I being old fashioned?

[ChuckFickens]

I agree with you, doesn't matter what the interview is for you make the effort to go smart and presentable.

[Richard1966]

Its job interview. Anything someone can do to make a difference helps. IF he had been asked to lay some bricks as part of a test i would have hoped he would dress appropriately for the test otherwise for a straight up face to face interview I agree with the suit.

[LoftyLottie]

Smart for an interview is a must. It shows that someone is prepared to make an effort and wants the job and also that they have respect for the interviewer. Hope he gets the job.

[LoftyLottie]

Well we are more refined down here ;o).

Perhaps a shirt, jacket and trousers would be fine, but not a T-shirt and jeans for an interview surely!!

[saxy_jag]

You say builders don't need to be smart on the job, but I see more and more who are expected to conform to certain dress codes. At work we've recently had a lot of work done on the building and more than once I have overheard the site manager giving someone grief because they were working without their shirt on or were wearing seriously torn jeans.

I think what to wear for interview, though, can depend on the job and possibly what's expected at the interview. A job I went for once (and got) was as a technician in a music venue. It's a job where jeans and t-shirts is the norm. At the interview we had to demonstrate an ability to climb, lift and carry and someone 'in the know' advised me not dress too smartly as 'you'll be laughed out of the room'. I wore a clean, wholesome pair of jeans and rugby shirt in similar condition. Apparently one woman turned up in a short skirt and high heels! Another bloke did the whole suit thing. Neither of them were taken on, even though the man, at least, had far more experience than I had.

So I don't think formal outifts are always necessary, but you should always make the effort to be clean and presentable at interview. I once read somewhere that an ideal interview outfit is a smarter version of something you would expect to wear on the job.

[joko]

i think somewhere in the middle is fine. ripped stuff may be fashionable but i doubt it will go down that well with a 55 yr old foreman

a shirt and trousers, i'd say

black jeans also tend to look smarter than blue

i'd say no trainers - unless they were all one dark colour like black, blue or brown and a sort of flat sole shape

[4getmenot]

I remember once when a bloke came in for an interview with his kids, they were making a right row in the office and my boss came out and at top of his voice shouted 'get out right now' the bloke had the guts to call later and apologise and my boss gave him a second chance and he got the job.

[tigwig]

Can just imagine if our kids had been taken lol. Some people are on another planet! In fact the boss phoned our house yesterday as he couldn't get hold of him at work and apologised for phoning early. This was at 8.30. I could quite easily reassure him that he definitely hadn't woken me up. If only! He got the job anyway but it's £60 a week less bummer.