Turning up to interview in jeans and trainers

Dress for the job you want , always

When I hired for retail we dismissed anyone dressed inappropriately without even interviewing them.

If they couldn't dress smartly then they weren't speaking to our clients.

Interviewing for a labouring type role then I'd forgive them.

Good luck in your interview OP. I totally agree with you and as a recruiter I would look poorly upon any lack of effort. Dressing smartly shows recruiters you are taking the interview seriously and want the job, not just turning up so you can get your UC paid.

I completely agree

Most people ( obviously not all) look better in their smarter casual wear than they will in badly fitting cheap , polyester formalwear from Primark or Asda that they only own in case they need to attend a job interview or a funeral.

Trousers, no matter what they are made of are definitely better than jeans for an interview.

I have refused to interview people that have turned up in jeans by going into the waiting room and selecting the well turned out attendees and dismissing the others.

It is a basic common courtesy no matter the role.

Even a job of pig man would warrant clean bale bashers over jeans.

The people meant to help unemployed people increase their chances to find work... Helped an unemployed person increase their chances to find work...

And that annoyed your DF. Wow. I'd have wished the guy luck.

I often interview and it depends on what the role is as to what I expect of the interviewee.

Call centres/office works, definitely clean smart office wear, you don't have to come suited and booted, just clean, smart and obviously made an effort with your appearance, it tells me you are interested in making a good impression.

For some more hands on roles, like labouring, production line etc, smart casual as a minimum, no jeans, cheeky logo t-shirts or trainers. Clean smart etc.

Having said that, my brother in law once went out for a high flying job in a short sleeved shirt and chinos that looked like they had been slept in. I asked him if he wanted me to iron his clothes and he said no, they want him for his brain and not his appearance. He did get the job.

I think if you are borderline, your appearance can swing it either way for you.

My husband is an engineer and he goes suited and booted to job interviews and more often than not the interview panel are in jeans and t-shirts because its a practical role.

Someone I know in IT, once had an interviewee turn up as a Trekkie, in a full lycra Star Trek outfit and he never batted an eyelid about it. But the guy didn't get the job and not just because he didn't have the skillset, but because it was a client facing role and they had concerns ab out what he would wear to see clients.

Id expect a smart ish look for interview. It's a serious situation where you're describing why you're a good candidate and considering if the role is right for you. Generally speaking I think because people get dressed up for these things id think if they were sloppy at that stage what will they be like on s daily basis.
Of course jeans etc are not necessarily sloppy but how you present at interview overall sets out your level of effort I think.

No way. You should dress smart but casual. It's rude to wear jeans for an interview, it shows disrespect for someone who could be your boss

This is quite an outdated mindset and if you are a more “modern” company, you might be put off by someone so smartly dressed. Personally, I would pay attention to how well put together someone is, which could be in jeans or it could be in a suit. But overall, how they dress doesn’t really mean anything.

ps hope you get it!

I agree OP. I don’t think you need a full on suit for that sort of interview but definitely not jeans or trackie bottoms! Just plain trousers and a smart casual top would be am improvement.

I interview programmers for a leading tech company. It's a personal prejudice I know but anyone who turns up in a suit and, even worse, a tie, immediately sets alarm bells ringing. Especially if the interview is via video conference.

He could have gone to a charity shop but whose to say they would have had his size?

He may have even gone to the charity shop and had no joy, you can't exactly order the size in.

I think smart should always be the way whatever the job. That's open to interpretation but in my opinion, blue wash jeans aren't smart enough for an interview. You can still be casual without wearing jeans/trainers/tracksuit.

Sometimes, and it's understood by the interviewer, you go straight from work and don't have time to fully change so you wear what's appropriate for the job you're on - which could be safety boots and jeans

dh wore a suit, that is all he had that was smart, for an interview, they were rude about the suit and asked if he realised that he wouldnt wear a suit in the job

I once wore a suit to an open interview for a “cool” job.
Everyone else was wearing a great outfit (and had directional haircuts). Didn’t get the job… Still, though, no to tracksuit bottoms!

A lot of job interviews now you're scored on the answers you give to questions, thankfully not on your appearance. I'd definitely say a tracksuit/PJs/lounge wear isn't appropriate but otherwise, there's usually no score allocated for 'the clothes they wore' or how their hair/make-up/clean shaven etc looked.

@Cuffi you also have to remember that the interviewee might have struggled financially for a while and thus has nothing else to wear but jeans! long term unemployed struggle to buy business wear. students struggle to buy business wear. I have employed someone who turned up in jeans and she stayed for many year. give them a chance! as long as they are clean and non smelling.

Personally, I’d always go formal for an interview, unless stated. I had an interview last year where I was told to wear some strong walking boots or wellies and warm clothing as we were doing a tour of the grounds in wet weather. It felt odd to me but I wore it and got the job

Whilst it might not be something an interviewer officially takes into account as tick box detail, the overall impression made by turning up in jeans might not be the initial impression one wants to make. Why risk this? I don't think I would.