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Job interview -- suit or corporate casual

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boykster:
If in doubt, put on the suit.  Another approach is a sports jacket and slacks, with a shirt you can go with tie or without tie.  Interview 1 I tend to go with a suit, but interview 2 I'll go slacks with sport coat, dress shirt but no tie.  Shows a bit of confidence IMHO.

You'll never (or very rarely) NOT get the job due to overdressing

Jdurg:
Wearing a suit to the interview shows that you have a great deal of respect for the company interviewing you and that you're willing to dress nicely regardless of how uncomfortable it makes you feel.  First impressions can't be re-done, so it is always a better idea to wear a suit for the interview and then whatever they wear the rest of your time there than it is to not wear a suit for the interview and never work there. 

At my current job, when I was called to set up the interview it was only a few days before the actual interview.  I had not suit.  The night before the interview I raced down to the local mall, went to Men's Wearhouse and had them fit me for a suit that night.  I spent a good $500 on the suit but it was worth it.  I showed up for the interview in the suit, and even though the people interviewing me weren't wearing suits, I felt as though my good dress and good presentation showed them that I really cared for the job.  I was hired and have been working at the company ever since.  Have I worn the suit since then?  Nope.  There may be occasions where I'll probably wear it, but my day-to-day attire is business casual which is just dress pants and a button up shirt.  When I have to go to our NY Office to present or hold a meeting (Like I did today), I'll add a tie to my business casual attire, but not the suit.

Still, I think wearing the suit to the interview was a good idea and I'm glad I did it.  I would have much rather worn the suit and if I didn't get the job be able to think that it was something else, than to not wear the suit and wonder if my dress for the interview is what made them pass me by.

ChadTower:

Maybe this will help as well... when I am interviewing someone, if I have to look at their clothes as a potential reason to hire or not hire them, they haven't done enough to make me want to hire them.  At best they get tossed in the maybe pile.

Most good candidates skip right over the maybe pile.

shmokes:
I vote for suit for a combination of what Chad says, and what everyone else says.  A suit makes me perform better.  I make a better impression in a suit, not just cos I look great, but because I sound great.  Dunno . . . I don't feel uncomfortable in a suit, though.  I feel like a pimp.  So maybe this doesn't hold for everyone, but I suspect the majority of people put in a better performance when they're decked out.

Singapura:
I interviewed lots of people and although ability comes first, there's only one first impression. Here in Singapore it's quite unusual to wear a tie, even in a bank, but in an interview I really expect a suit and tie from a candidate (along with polished shoes). If you feel uncomfortable in a suit just start wearing one more often until you do feel comfortable. I hated it when I started this job but now I see it as work clothes. When going on an interview you'll want to shine and a suit can give you more confidence. Always dress for the job you want, never for the job you have  8)

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