Casual dress for an interview?

3 days ago I was fretting over whether my black suit was too conservative for an interview (I had heard blue or gray were the "right" colors). So I was convinced black was OK and I bought a new shirt to go with it which I am very happy with.

I got the confirmation for my interview today. At the bottom of the email providing time/directions etc. it says:

"Dress is casual"

Yikes. I don't have any casual dress except for what I wear to the grocery store (and I know that's too casual).

But what the hell is casual for an interview (note that it is not business casual?

Wear the suit anyway.

the suit as I KNOW I will be older than the majority of employees and I'm really worried if I wear a suit when they specifically said dress is casual that they will think I won't fit in.

How did you know it was a software company?

and have interviewed with them before. What kind of software...gaming? Then I would suggest casual. Database software, suit. You'll probably be interviewing with a 27 year old.

rather than too casual for an interview.

I have an interview on Tuesday. It looks like a pretty casual office, but I'm going to wear a suit (with a casual top.)

there are so many definitions of casual these days

gives the nerds something to laugh at

Dress yourself one step above wearing jeans. And, if you think it needs it, add a lightweight blazer...you can always take it off at the interview.

...people generally come to the interview in a suit anyways. And by very casual, I mean casual casual; I wear shorts and a Hawaiian shirt all the time (this is a software company as well).

Even if you didn't wear the suit, I'd still go business casual, like khakis and nice button-down shirt and some kinda-nice shoes.

and I'll think you'll look great - though I've done all my interviews for the past five years in Dockers and sneakers. It's "smart casual" and works for me.

I'd take the email as a comment on how the office dresses - and enjoy yourself.

not gone well lately and I fear with any little misstep, I'll blow my chances.

and the bottoned-down look. Casual, but not sloppy.

And good luck!

with a pair of casual pants. Even a pair of nice jeans would look good with the suit jacket & new shirt.

khakis, a button down shirt or sweater, and nice shoes. I actually feel most comfortable interviewing this way, as I always feel that I am being "checked out" when I wear a dress or skirt.

when they specifically say the dress is casual. Business casual is generally slacks or khackis, a button down shirt, and a jacket. Don't wear sneakers or jeans or a a t-shirt without a collar. You can be more casual in Califonia, though.

wearing a suit.

I just really didn't want to buy any more new clothes until I got a job but it looks like I have no choice. I don't have casual clothes. No slacks, no khakis. I have one pair of jeans, 2 pairs of running pants and one pair of sweat pants.

This invitation may be a deliberate exception. Does this mean that the interviewer is particularly uncomfortable with businesswear? I dunno. Perhaps the interview is with a headhunter or HR department, and not with the people the prospective employee would work alongside?

The business casual described above sounds like the best bet--though it might be best to err toward the high end of business casual. A real button-down business-type shirt, as suggested above, is probably more appropriate than a golf/polo shirt.

The invitation is unusual enough that I'm curious. I hope that the original poster will update us.

But I'll also be meeting with a panel of potential co-workers.

I think I'm going to wear dress pants and a short sleeved sweater maybe, depending on the weather.

Best wishes!

:shrug:

I can't rid myself of the guilty face I have when I'm not being honest.

I think I'm going business casual and just take my chances. Thanks.

You could always just carry the jacket, and not button the shirt all the way..roll up the sleeves.. That's casual..:)

Good luck on the interview :)

and don't sweat it.

And if it turns out that you're "overdressed" when you get there, tell them that you're going to a funeral immediately after the interview as SoCalDem suggested.

All bases covered :)

And GOOD LUCK to you!!!!


(edit to fix the subject line)

asked me why then I would just say because I don't have any clothes between sweatpants and suits - which is much more true for me. OTOH if they didn't ask me I wouldn't want to start off the interview by making excuses.

This is probably my downfall, they probably expect me to embellish in an interview situation and discount a percentage of what I say, while the reality is that I tell them the truth and they shouldn't discount what I say.

And thanks for the good wishes.:-)

So wear the suit, lose the tie and tell them the truth... that you wore the suit because it is the most appropriate way to cover all the bases and to show some respect for the interviewer and the company, and that you're happy to go caz after they hire you.

:)

a tie.:-)

hee hee

:hi:

"I only find software engineers attractive and I love Dungeons and Dragons, Anime, and Star Trek".

You'll be hired on the spot!

:-)

w/flip flops. :D

I was going to suggest ditching the fishnet stockings too, but there ARE limits :)

Either way, I'd think wearing a casual top (not a tshirt) - maybe as you'd said, a short-sleeved sweater (though please no faux-turtlenecks, I hate those with a passion, esp. if they're short sleeved) and low-key shoes with it if it's a pant suit.

If it's a skirt suit, those often (esp. if black) look funky w/o hose and hose usually dress something up quite a bit, in my opinion. But ditching the jacket, or just having it over your shoulder, can help you dress the suit down to a more casual level.

Do you live near a Target? Isaac Mizrahi's line for them often has some good casual wear (but not tooo casual) and isn't very expensive (yet surprisingly well-made), if you're watching your money until you get a job.

What kind of shoes do you have?

dress pants and nice shirt, skirt & nice top with a jacket or sweater...

a NICE pair of jeans, button down shirt, low heels. That would be very nice looking.

I love fashion dilemmas!

heels or flat shoes.

DO NOT WEAR JEANS. DO NOT WEAR TENNIES.

You can definitely skip the jacket. Do you have a nice one color button down shirt/blouse?

funny "I love fashion dilemmas", I wish you could come over and look in my closet :-)

a budget if necessary and for a fortune if you want to.

But I can make you look like you spent a fortune, without spending one.

So, if you want to refurbish your wardrobe when you get that new job, drop me a line and let me know... depending on where you are and what your budget is, we could do a complete wardrobe overhaul from the undies on out!

I'm considered an absolute professional when it comes to shopping... my friends stop and watch in AWE as I loot and pillage entire department stores. They just 'git out' the way'.... They bow to the master, the goddess, the guru of shopping.

:D

Death Metal T-shirts and bare feet; don't call the interviewer "dude".