Do people still dress up for interviews?

I was recently in an interview where the interviewer was upset and asked why I was not wearing a shirt and tie. I had a nice sweater on for the interview. It made the rest of the interview awkward.

🗣 Interviewing
18
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
9
☕️
If I’m WFH and on a ton of internal meetings before an interview then I’m not going to change. Maybe I don’t wear a hat that day—but I wore a henley to my final interview for my current role and the C-level was wearing a T-shirt and Patagonia vest.
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
May it's because I'm less senior. However, I always change if I have an interview during my workday
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
7
Bravado's Resident Asshole
For the first one, yeah. I will judge from that point on
punishedlad
Tycoon
3
Business Development Team Lead
This is my mentality as well. There was actually a post about this a couple of months back where there was some good advice/banter. Worth checking the search bar.
salespal
Good Citizen
2
Account Executive
that makes sense. I've had recruiters usually say " Hey make sure you dress the part etc etc". I'll probably use your thinking next time.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
🦊
Yes. Always look presentable.
Fenderbaum
Politicker
6
Retired Choirboy🪕
Being told to dress down is better than being told to dress up.
Kosta_Konfucius
Politicker
4
Sales Rep
What was the interviewer wearing? If they aren't wearing a tie, screw them.
And who knows maybe you dodged a bullet, to call that out during an interview when you are both trying to impress each other is something note note.
Especially if you are still dressed up. Like what else are they going to harp on when you start?
salespal
Good Citizen
1
Account Executive
He had a dress shirt on, but you could barely see his shirt. It was just an odd situation. I agree with dodging a bullet after the interview, I knew I didn't want to go to bat for that guy.
ChumpChange
Politicker
4
Channel Manager
A mentor of mine told me long ago this sage advice. "Dress for the job you want... not the job you have." Some people hold physical appearances surprisingly high. I wouldn't let a couch potato meet with my high-profile clients.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
3
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I'd ask up front what the expectations are, particularly if you're working with a recruiter. But you can't go wrong with a shirt and tie - and let them tell you to dress down for the next one.
It's interesting, my interviews for the job I currently hold were all done over the phone, with no camera. They never saw me once before I was hired.
Justatitle
Big Shot
3
Account Executive
you dodged a bullet, it wasn't like you showed up in a undershirt. Button down, sweater, honestly it's whatever.
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
I don't think of a sweater as dressing down.
J.J.McLure
Politicker
3
Owner at *redacted*
It's always best to over-dress, whatever the occasion, work or personal. It never hurts to look good.
I've been on the interviewer's side before and someone's dress & grooming are obviously the first thing we see and good or bad it gives an impression. To me, if a person can't be bothered to dress up for an interview, how seriously are they going to take the job? If 2 people are equally qualified, and they both interview amazingly but one put effort into their appearance and one didn't, guess who is going to get the job 99% of the time.
Wellss
Tycoon
2
Channel sales
My mom always says to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Which I think is a required mom thing to say lol but that being said, I would rather be overdressed than underdressed when it comes to interviews. However, I do think dress codes have shifted a bit in the last couple years with WFH, so I could see how it'd be confusing when it comes to deciding what to wear
1
Account Manager
If it is in-person, I usually try to dress up a little more than online. I never wear a tie, just a nice shirt, shoes and pants. If he is that hard on appearance first interview without being overdressed himself, screw him.
SaaSguy
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Id wear a shirt, no tie
Nairobi
Politicker
1
AE
Yes, but most interviewers I've had were wearing t-shirts
sellingsellssold
Politicker
1
SDR
Yes!! First impressions very much still matter
WheelofCheese
Opinionated
1
Sales Executive
Always dress in business attire for an interview IMO. Shows respect and that you’re taking the interview seriously—regardless of whether you would be expected to wear that type of attire in the role you are interviewing for.
RandyLahey
Politicker
0
Account Executive
That is silly and you should end this immediately. Clowns.
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