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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want my DP to wear a suit to his interview

66 replies

Scottishshopaholic · 10/12/2020 18:30

My DP had a job interview via teams last week. I convinced him to wear a shirt and tie for this, he said he felt like a bit of an idiot because the people interviewing him were just wearing polo shirts and fleeces etc.

Anyway he must have done something right as he’s been asked to go into tomorrow to get a feel for the place and they will be making him a job offer.

He wants to wear a pair of black jeans and a shirt, I think he should wear a suit. He thinks he’ll be over dressed, he usually wears jeans and a polo shirt to his work and this place will no doubt be the same. Surely it’s better to be overdressed and show you care?

This is a professional senior engineering position and the salary is around 50k.

OP posts:
YorkshireIndie · 10/12/2020 18:32

I agree with you - suit and tie. He can see what others wear and go from there

katy1213 · 10/12/2020 18:32

Won't do any harm to wear the suit - and there could be someone there who won't be impressed if he doesn't.

Woohoowoowoo · 10/12/2020 18:34

My DH once got a job doing a manual labouring job because he was the only person who turned up to the interview in a shirt and tie.

I think a suit might be a bit much, but he can't go too wrong with smart trousers (not jeans), a shirt and perhaps a tie.

HerRoyalNotness · 10/12/2020 18:39

I’d do business casual, definitely not jeans.

flaviaritt · 10/12/2020 18:41

Definitely a suit and tie. He should err on the side of caution. They’re not going to retract a job offer because he wears a suit.

Bluntness100 · 10/12/2020 18:42

Suit and tie, it doesn’t matter what they are wearing, they are already employed by them, he isn’t, he needs to make an effort.

Knittedfairies · 10/12/2020 18:45

Yep, he should wear a suit; it shows he's taking it seriously.

Madvixen · 10/12/2020 18:45

Definitely a suit and tie. You don't lose a job for being overdressed but you can lose it for being underdressed

Greenbks · 10/12/2020 18:46

I think the key is it’s HIS interview. Whilst I agree with you, I think you need to back off & let him decide.

Atrixie · 10/12/2020 18:46

Disagree he should wear what the culture of the company is. I can’t remember the last time I interviewed anyone in a suit

Merryoldgoat · 10/12/2020 18:48

Men suit and tie always.

Women is trickier.

TottiePlantagenet · 10/12/2020 18:51

Suit and tie regardless of what the interviewers are wearing, it shows you're capable of looking professional and making the effort to impress.

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 10/12/2020 18:52

If someone at work is in a suit it's because they've been summoned to court that day to give evidence, smartish chinos/trousers and an open neck shirt is seen as smart here, most people are in jeans most days and even at my level a dress and a cardigan with flat shoes/boots or jeans and an open shirt is more than suitable unless it's for a specific formal occasion. He knows his industry expectations. The only people I've interviewed recently by teams which worn suits have been quite outraged in their approach and practice as well as their attire, or haven't been interviewed for twenty years.

KarlKennedysDurianFruit · 10/12/2020 18:53

Who've written suits have been quite outdated.....

Doyoumind · 10/12/2020 18:57

In my industry it would be a real mistake to wear a tie. A suit is a maybe but most wouldn't. Smart casual would be the way to go so it really depends on context.

HollowTalk · 10/12/2020 18:58

I think he should wear a suit and just take note of what everyone's wearing and then wear the same when he starts work.

Treacletoots · 10/12/2020 18:59

He's a grown man, surely he can make a decision himself on how to dress himself?

Copernico · 10/12/2020 19:03

I agree with your husband.

Angeldust747 · 10/12/2020 19:05

My DH's industry is very casual, all jeans and tshirts.... He's just got a new job and did around 4 interviews on zoom in a hoodie and got the job, I personally don't get it as I think you should dress at least a little bit smart but it would be very odd for them to wear a shirt and tie in any context

sowhatsnext · 10/12/2020 19:08

Are u his wife or mother? Let him wear what he wants. If he feels awkward and overdressed he won’t relax and do his best.

thedevilinablackdress · 10/12/2020 19:08

Maybe a bit smarter than normal but you don't want to feel uncomfortable or look totally out of step with company norms & culture.

maybemu · 10/12/2020 19:10

Always better to be over dressed then under

alliejay81 · 10/12/2020 19:13

I've been interviewing today for a similar level position today. Some of the candidates wore shirt and tie, some wore a suit, some wore shirt without a tie. (They were all male today). We recruited one, I can't remember what he was wearing!!!! The more important things in a teams interview are too make sure you have a professional looking background and to make sure you are neither too close or too far away from the screen! Good luck to your DH!

ApolloandDaphne · 10/12/2020 19:14

I think black jeans and shirt with proper shoes and maybe a fine wool sweater and/or a casual jacket would be lovely. It says smart without being overdressed.

SausageRoll2020 · 10/12/2020 19:15

I work in tech and have interviewed engineers. A suit and tie would look really out of place and could even cast doubts about how he understands and would fit in with the culture (not saying this is right, I'm just stating it as fact based on experience).

His plan to wear black jeans and a shirt sounds perfect. It's smarter than a t-shirt or hoody but not out of place.