HN Explorer

Ask HN: Do you still wear a suit to an interview?

10 points by acron0 ↗ HN
Massive internal conflict on this one. I'm a developer and every shop I've ever worked in are all 'casual' dress code for all employees. Yet for every interview I've always worn a suit. Have a speculative interview coming up and I find myself asking myself whether I should wear one...The whole practice feels archaic and unnecessary. I have no problem with 'smart' - goes without saying - but a full suit? Or, if I don't go in a suit, am I committing some massive faux pas?

Anyway, advice would be appreciated from interviewers and interviewees who don't wear suits...

21 comments

[ 3.0 ms ] story [ 49.6 ms ] thread
patio11
It depends on the culture of the firm you're interviewing at. There exist many companies at our industry where a suit does not communicate something desirable about you. For them, I'd go in my Sunday best rather than formal attire. For men I think this is approximately "Khakis and a long-sleeved shirt, ironed."

If you're in doubt about this, ask ahead of the interview. "Hey Bob, quick question since you'd know better than me: are you guys a suit-at-the-interview sort of shop?"

DanBC
In the UK a suit is almost always a good idea.
stevekemp
I tend to wear a clean (buttoned) shirt and "nice jeans", along with a stylish leather jacket.

I've not worn a suit for an interview in 10+ years.

(To be honest I've ruled myself out of positions in the past where where non-customer-facing sysadmins/developers were expected to dress up in suits ever day. (i.e. Banks.))

ceeK
It might be different because I'm a graduate, but a suit definitely wasn't necessary to obtain my grad scheme in the UK. I just dressed smart. Moreover, for another interview I had, Amazon (Scotland) specifically state suits won't impress them.

Admittedly certain businesses will expect suits, notably banks.

kwhitefoot
Last time I wore a suit was so long ago that I can't remember. The last job interview I had for a UK company was in 1982 and I didn't wear a suit then. Nor did I wear a suit to the interview with the Norwegian company I joined in 1985. I got both jobs. Not sure what this really means, except that I think 'almost always a good idea' at least ought to be an exaggeration. If not, well, I'm glad I left to join a company and country where expertise seems to be valued over presentation.
memracom
In the UK a suit has a different meaning than in the USA because almost everyone has worn a suit (or at least a shirt and tie) since they started school. I suspect that the reason that some jobs don't value a suit is because they align themselves with the same sentiments that causes school leavers to tie their ties to the school fence when they graduate. But there are still a lot of jobs in industries whose job is to keep things running, and in those industries a suit is considered normal attire.
RougeFemme
a slight tangent, but. . .a few years ago I interviewed (internally) for a dev/mgr position for the group I was currently working in (not team lead - I was already a team lead). I would still be coding at least 50% of the time. I was already reporting to the hiring manager and was physically located in close proximity to him, so he saw me frequently throughout the day.

For the interview, I dressed as I always did - and we were not a suit type of place. At the start of the interview, he told me he was disappointed that I had not dressed up. I was stunned but did not respond and the interview proceeded.

I got the job and after a couple of weeks, I asked him why he wanted me to dress up for the interview. I asked if it was simply because he wanted to know if I could dress appropriately for the customer. He replied that was'nt it; he just though it would show appropriate respect for him and the position.

I though "this is reason # 102 why I really didn't want to move up the chain closer to you".

rmc
The job might only require a suit one day a year when you're meeting fancy pants people, speaking externally, meeting clients etc. Wearing a suit to the interview allows you to show that you can dress up well if needed.
C0d3r
I stopped going to interviews wearing a suit since that only matters if you're going to be using a suit during the job, and if a suit is required for the job, count me out.
cLeEOGPw
As much as everyone hates it, appearance matters, especially for first impressions.
breathesalt
It definitely depends on the company. Irrespective of the company's dress code, you should look presentable for an interview. You don't have to dress formal to look presentable.
iends
I rarely wear a suit to an interview. When I was interviewing for jobs I'd show up in a suit and most developers interviewing me were in blue jeans, or flip-flops, etc. I now dress to be one standard deviation above what the people interviewing me are wearing.
js7
Yeah, I look good in a suit.
tptacek
I can't remember the last time someone wore a suit to an interview here.

General rule of thumb: unless your mom has heard of the company, don't wear a suit. If it's a startup, don't even wear business casual: wear jeans.

argonaut
Like what many people are saying here, at many companies wearing a suit might actually be a negative indicator, especially for startups and some top tech companies.
heldrida
Hi!

I think you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. But, you should not wear a suit or a t-shirt just someone tells you too. Be yourself!

Personally, I've got a big afro and I usually bring my skateboard to interviews. That's me!

onedev
That's dope, keep doing you, don't let them take your soul.
patmcc
Why not? It looks good and is comfortable (if it's not, get a nicer suit).

Yeah, it's archaic, but so is shaking hands and bringing in paper resumes, and you'll probably still be doing that.

What'll probably happen is anybody there from HR or non-technical managementment will think "oh good, he looks professional and isn't one of these super-nerds" and anybody technical will think "oh good, he knows how to handle the HR/corporate types"

onedev
I dress really well (I ooze style), but I don't dress formal.