[HungHingHK]

So I have an interview with a social media firm coming up. From their facebook page, it looks like the dress code is very very lax. Most guys are in Jeans and polo shirt or T-shirt. There's toys and shit everywhere. Looks very google/facebook ish.

Should I still wear a suit and tie to the interview? I ask because if I don't I risk not caring for the position and no respect for the interview. But if I do, I risk coming off as a "suit" and don't fit the culture of the company.

What should I do?

[nmulax]

What position are you interviewing for? I work in advertising and sales guys obviously dress different then us designers

[GetSomeE92]

Wear a suit and tie. Just because you take the interview seriously doesn't mean you don't have a personality that would fit in with the group. Just don't act like a "suit."

[CamelBiscuit]

Done. Now go fuck some shit up!!!!

[Maestro]

There is no simple answer here, it depends on the person interviewing you. I have worked in a number of companies from the jeans and tee shirt types to business causal. I always wore a suit on the interview since it is a safe bet without knowing otherwise. I got hire at all those jobs so obviously the suit did not hurt. With that said, I heard and seen where people did not get hired at the laid back company because of the way someone dressed, you come in wearing jeans and such they think you're taking it for granted, come in with a suit and they think you are too stuffy for the environment and the possible reasons will vary.

In this case, it is usually okay to ask what is the acceptable dress for the interview. If they have a real HR department, ask the HR person what is acceptable they will usually lead you down the right road, even if they say casual, wear business casual, nice jeans or dockers and a button down shirt with maybe a sport coat.

Only once have I seen someone come dressed totally laid back or street cloths and get the job. But this person was a boy wonder and had the ego and attitude to go with it and the company was willing to over look the fact he lack any fashion sense.

[E90SoFlo]

Wear a suit and tie.

Never can be overdressed for a interview.

[PsychoSlug]

Suit and tie.

[Kroy]

suit up. would you rather potentially come off as a suit or as unprofessional? always better to over dress than under dress.

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by Kroy

suit up. would you rather potentially come off as a suit or as unprofessional? always better to over dress than under dress.

actually yes you can over dress because some companies have a very lax environment. I remember my friend was going for a interview at some media company he went in a suit and the guy interviewing him was in jeans and polo. my friend felt really outta place and ended up not getting the job. best thing to do is call HR and ask what the dress code policy is.

[kyleb350]

I say shirt and tie. I'm in IT, and no one wears a suit unless you're an exec.

[Augenbrauezug]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

I say shirt and tie. I'm in IT, and no one wears a suit unless you're an exec.

+1

A suit is a little much if this is an entry level position... actually, it's a lot much.

[HungHingHK]

its a very small company with maybe 2 dozen or so people, I don't think a legit HR dept exist because all the communication so far has been with the owner himself. It's an entry level internship and it's due to me jumping career mid way (crazy, I know) from banking (weird, I know) I was thinking khakis with dress shirt and "hipster" skinny tie and a "dressy" type of wool coat. what do you guys think?

I have worn full suit to lax company interviews before and it feels really weird and out of place, feels like I am a tax auditor.

I am trying to go for full time creative at the end of internship btw.

[E90SoFlo]

I don't care if its Burger King, If I want the job I'm wearing the most expensive suit I own.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

actually yes you can over dress because some companies have a very lax environment. I remember my friend was going for a interview at some media company he went in a suit and the guy interviewing him was in jeans and polo. my friend felt really outta place and ended up not getting the job. best thing to do is call HR and ask what the dress code policy is.

that can be true, you should tailor yourself to your target audience. the way i'm consider the situation you can always take off your jacket and tie, but you can't magically make make them appear out of nowhere.

call them to ask. best advice ever.

[DieselDiner]

Originally Posted by HungHingHK

all the communication so far has been with the owner himself

Call the owner and ask him. Regardless of his answer, you've already shown him you care about the job before he ever sees what you wear to the interview.

[len56]

Originally Posted by nmulax

What position are you interviewing for? I work in advertising and sales guys obviously dress different then us designers

what do advertising people wear?

best-suit possible a la mad men, or totally casual a la design lifestyle?

[abisson]

Dress pants, shirts and v-neck sweater. YOU WILL over dress in a suit and tie.

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by len56

what do advertising people wear?

best-suit possible a la mad men, or totally casual a la design lifestyle?

It depends on your job/size of the company/and (most important) if you're interacting with clients or not. Sales/marketing people are suits or business casual. Designers are usually business casual or totally casual. I've worked at places half the design team wore shorts/flip-flops in the summer. Most days it's jeans and a tshirt or polo.

I wish it was more Mad Men style

[Seminole]

A suit minus the tie might be most appropriate here. At the very least you won't overdress, but if you find that you need to dress down you can always take off the jacket so you'll be business casual.

Taking off the jacket is a subtle way to make things less dressy if you catch the vibe you're overdressed. If you have a tie on and take it off, the guy is going to remember you came in with a tie and that it's disappeared.

[len56]

Originally Posted by nmulax

It depends on your job/size of the company/and (most important) if you're interacting with clients or not. Sales/marketing people are suits or business casual. Designers are usually business casual or totally casual. I've worked at places half the design team wore shorts/flip-flops in the summer. Most days it's jeans and a tshirt or polo.

I wish it was more Mad Men style

haha sounds cool

can't wait to work in advertising

[FFM]

Originally Posted by Seminole

A suit minus the tie might be most appropriate here. At the very least you won't overdress, but if you find that you need to dress down you can always take off the jacket so you'll be business casual.

Taking off the jacket is a subtle way to make things less dressy if you catch the vibe you're overdressed. If you have a tie on and take it off, the guy is going to remember you came in with a tie and that it's disappeared.

I agree here, only because I envision this...


Working in an environment that wears flip flops lol. Full suit and tie may be overkill but to those that are dressed in a modern lax vibe you still look professional with a nice suit and shirt combo.

[E90SoFlo]

now this guy is even more confused. lol