Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 43

Thread: Formal Interview - what to wear?

  1. #1
    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    828
    Thanks
    72
    Thanked
    59 times in 38 posts
    • Haiku32's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35 Dark Raider
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.0gHz
      • Memory:
      • 2GB
      • Storage:
      • Western Digital 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX 8800GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 520W
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Premium 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 20" + LG 22"
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 16Mb

    Formal Interview - what to wear?

    I have a formal interview for uni in a week, but I'm not sure what to wear. The letter did state you should dress formally, but made it clear you shouldn't go out and buy new clothes for it. It is an important interview so I want to give the very best first impression.

    I don't actually own a suit or any very formal clothes for some reason. Any time I've needed to be formal (weddings and stuff) I've just rented. I was planning on just wearing black trousers, white shirt and black tie, but then I realised I don't have any formal shoes, eek.

    I was thinking it should be time to buy a suit, but then I'd need to buy shoes as well. How cheap can you get a suit and shoes that doesn't look very cheap? I've seen in Asda you can get a full suit and shoes for about £30, but just how bad would the quality be lol?

  2. #2
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    19,874
    Thanks
    630
    Thanked
    965 times in 816 posts
    • Funkstar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte EG45M-DS2H
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz)
      • Memory:
      • 8GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 800MHz Quad Channel
      • Storage:
      • 650GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB ATI Radeon HD4550
      • PSU:
      • Antec 350W 80+ Efficient PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec NSK1480 Slim Mini Desktop Case
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407 + 2408 monitors
      • Internet:
      • Zen 8mb

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    OK, after actually reading your post ( ): how much can you spend?

    I personally think it is the best idea to go an buy a half decent suit. If you have a Slaters near by, go in and speak to them, their staff are great and they have a huge range of suits for all occasions and budgets.

  3. #3
    Headless Chicken Terbinator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    7,642
    Thanks
    1,190
    Thanked
    719 times in 587 posts
    • Terbinator's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock H61M
      • CPU:
      • Intel Xeon 1230-V3
      • Memory:
      • Geil Evo Corsa 2133/8GB
      • Storage:
      • M4 128GB, 2TB WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX Titan
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX760i
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster 130
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell Ultrasharp U2711H
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb.

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Haiku32 View Post
    I was thinking it should be time to buy a suit, but then I'd need to buy shoes as well. How cheap can you get a suit and shoes that doesn't look very cheap? I've seen in Asda you can get a full suit and shoes for about £30, but just how bad would the quality be lol?
    As you've said the big supermarkets do suits, you could also try somewhere like Primark maybe ?
    Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
    CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
    TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
    for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.

  4. #4
    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    828
    Thanks
    72
    Thanked
    59 times in 38 posts
    • Haiku32's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35 Dark Raider
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.0gHz
      • Memory:
      • 2GB
      • Storage:
      • Western Digital 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX 8800GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 520W
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Premium 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 20" + LG 22"
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 16Mb

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    Suit.

    End of.
    Read the.

    End of.

    My post .

    I was thinking about Primark as well, but it's the quality I'm worried about. I wouldn't want to be wearing a cheap suit that after a couple of washes will look rubbish.
    Last edited by Haiku32; 15-03-2010 at 09:02 PM.

  5. #5
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    30,748
    Thanks
    1,787
    Thanked
    3,286 times in 2,647 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Haiku32 View Post
    I was thinking it should be time to buy a suit, but then I'd need to buy shoes as well. How cheap can you get a suit and shoes that doesn't look very cheap? I've seen in Asda you can get a full suit and shoes for about £30, but just how bad would the quality be lol?
    Cheap suit will be cheap, but that won't affect the interview in the slightest - the main thing is that you wear a suit. If you were meeting a partner of an accountancy firm then you'd want to make an impression with your knowledge and ability to afford good tailoring, but that won't matter here. Get the size right and it'll be fine - better to wear a cheap suit that fits properly than a more expensive one you don't fit because it was in a sale.

    But if you'll ever wear it some other time than this interview then get a good one.

    PS you don't wash suits. Dry clean at most.

  6. #6
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Suit for the interview. As with most things, you get what you pay for, so if you are going to be wearing a suit in the course of the job, it may be worth paying a bit more. M&S do a good range - but you will pay quite a bit more than £30 - but it will probably look smarter for longer than the Primark/Matalan offering.

    Depends how much you want to impress (and you never get a second chance at making a good first impression) and how much you may think you will wear it in the future.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

  7. #7
    Headless Chicken Terbinator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    7,642
    Thanks
    1,190
    Thanked
    719 times in 587 posts
    • Terbinator's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock H61M
      • CPU:
      • Intel Xeon 1230-V3
      • Memory:
      • Geil Evo Corsa 2133/8GB
      • Storage:
      • M4 128GB, 2TB WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX Titan
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX760i
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster 130
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell Ultrasharp U2711H
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb.

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    If you were meeting a partner of an accountancy firm then you'd want to make an impression with your knowledge and ability to afford good tailoring
    May i add this to my sig ?
    Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
    CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
    TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
    for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.

  8. #8
    Technojunkie
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Up North
    Posts
    2,580
    Thanks
    239
    Thanked
    213 times in 138 posts

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Haiku32 View Post
    I have a formal interview for uni in a week, but I'm not sure what to wear. The letter did state you should dress formally, but made it clear you shouldn't go out and buy new clothes for it.
    They may say don't buy new clothes, but they are making a natural assumption that you already have a suit (and maybe implying you should already own such).

    Anyway shirt and tie minimum.

    Open necked shirt = fail.
    Sorry, needed to be said, some people turn up for interview wearing the strangest of things
    Chrome & Firefox addons for BBC News
    Follow me @twitter

  9. #9
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    30,748
    Thanks
    1,787
    Thanked
    3,286 times in 2,647 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Terbinator View Post
    May i add this to my sig ?
    Only if you explain the joke first

  10. #10
    hexus.zombeh! format's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Strath Uni, Glasgow
    Posts
    2,747
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked
    179 times in 131 posts
    • format's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP35 Pro
      • CPU:
      • Core2Duo E6750 @ 3.2ghz
      • Memory:
      • 4GB GSkill PC8000
      • Storage:
      • WD500GB+750GB F1 + 250GB external drive
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Geforce GTX260
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX520w
      • Case:
      • Antec P182 + 3 x Nexus fans
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" DGM
      • Internet:
      • BeThere* Pro

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    What University are you going for - Glasgow I take it?
    ~'Armaments, universal debt, and planned obsolescence--those are the three pillars of Western prosperity'~ Aldous Huxley




  11. #11
    HEXUS.kitty Haiku32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    828
    Thanks
    72
    Thanked
    59 times in 38 posts
    • Haiku32's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP-35 Dark Raider
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.0gHz
      • Memory:
      • 2GB
      • Storage:
      • Western Digital 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • XFX 8800GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • Corsair 520W
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Premium 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 20" + LG 22"
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 16Mb

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    OK, after actually reading your post ( ): how much can you spend?

    I personally think it is the best idea to go an buy a half decent suit. If you have a Slaters near by, go in and speak to them, their staff are great and they have a huge range of suits for all occasions and budgets.
    Realistically I could spend up to £80, for trousers, jacket and shoes. Can't afford anything over that. Looking on the Slaters website the cheapest suit they have is for £70, which is a little over my budget considering I need shoes as well.

    Do you think just wearing nice shoes, black trousers, white shirt, black tie and a nice jacket would look good enough?

  12. #12
    Senior Member MaddAussie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Deepest Darkest Dorset
    Posts
    1,708
    Thanks
    628
    Thanked
    297 times in 179 posts
    • MaddAussie's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix Z370G
      • CPU:
      • i7 8700k (5.1Ghz)
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb
      • Storage:
      • 500G 960 EVO NMVE
      • Graphics card(s):
      • GTX 1070
      • PSU:
      • Corsair RM650i
      • Case:
      • Corsair Carbide A1r 240
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" Dell HD + Samsung HD

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Look at a good suit as an investment, it will (waist allowing) last you for years and the ladies love them
    Last edited by MaddAussie; 15-03-2010 at 09:10 PM. Reason: Spelling or lack of it

  13. #13
    Headless Chicken Terbinator's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    7,642
    Thanks
    1,190
    Thanked
    719 times in 587 posts
    • Terbinator's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock H61M
      • CPU:
      • Intel Xeon 1230-V3
      • Memory:
      • Geil Evo Corsa 2133/8GB
      • Storage:
      • M4 128GB, 2TB WD Red
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Gigabyte GTX Titan
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX760i
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster 130
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell Ultrasharp U2711H
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media 60Mb.

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by kalniel View Post
    Only if you explain the joke first
    I don't view it as joke per se, the line just made me chuckle and I suppose its no far from the truth either.
    Kalniel: "Nice review Tarinder - would it be possible to get a picture of the case when the components are installed (with the side off obviously)?"
    CAT-THE-FIFTH: "The Antec 300 is a case which has an understated and clean appearance which many people like. Not everyone is into e-peen looking computers which look like a cross between the imagination of a hyperactive 10 year old and a Frog."
    TKPeters: "Off to AVForum better Deal - £20+Vat for Free Shipping @ Scan"
    for all intents it seems to be the same card minus some gays name on it and a shielded cover ? with OEM added to it - GoNz0.

  14. #14
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    30,748
    Thanks
    1,787
    Thanked
    3,286 times in 2,647 posts
    • kalniel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Ultra
      • CPU:
      • Intel i9 9900k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB DDR4 3200 CL16
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung 970Evo+ NVMe
      • Graphics card(s):
      • nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic 600W
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF 912
      • Operating System:
      • Win 10 Pro x64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2721DGF
      • Internet:
      • rubbish

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Haiku32 View Post
    Realistically I could spend up to £80, for trousers, jacket and shoes. Can't afford anything over that. Looking on the Slaters website the cheapest suit they have is for £70, which is a little over my budget considering I need shoes as well.

    Do you think just wearing nice shoes, black trousers, white shirt, black tie and a nice jacket would look good enough?
    Nope. Black trousers do not go. Needing to get shoes as well as a suit is a killer.

  15. #15
    hexus.zombeh! format's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Strath Uni, Glasgow
    Posts
    2,747
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked
    179 times in 131 posts
    • format's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Abit IP35 Pro
      • CPU:
      • Core2Duo E6750 @ 3.2ghz
      • Memory:
      • 4GB GSkill PC8000
      • Storage:
      • WD500GB+750GB F1 + 250GB external drive
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Geforce GTX260
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX520w
      • Case:
      • Antec P182 + 3 x Nexus fans
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7
      • Monitor(s):
      • 24" DGM
      • Internet:
      • BeThere* Pro

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    Quote Originally Posted by Haiku32 View Post
    Do you think just wearing nice shoes, black trousers, white shirt, black tie and a nice jacket would look good enough?
    For a uni interview, unless it happens to be Cambridge or Oxford or something, that would be fine, IMHO.
    ~'Armaments, universal debt, and planned obsolescence--those are the three pillars of Western prosperity'~ Aldous Huxley




  16. #16
    Not a good person scaryjim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Gateshead
    Posts
    15,196
    Thanks
    1,230
    Thanked
    2,291 times in 1,874 posts
    • scaryjim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Dell Inspiron
      • CPU:
      • Core i5 8250U
      • Memory:
      • 2x 4GB DDR4 2666
      • Storage:
      • 128GB M.2 SSD + 1TB HDD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Radeon R5 230
      • PSU:
      • Battery/Dell brick
      • Case:
      • Dell Inspiron 5570
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • 15" 1080p laptop panel

    Re: Formal Interview - what to wear?

    You need to decide whether you want to front up for a decent suit now that will see you through several years and job interviews when you leave Uni, or if you just want something to do see you through this one interview. An ASDA suit would probably do the job (they're not *badly* made, as such), but wouldn't have much longevity: you'd be shelling out for something you'd only wear once.

    The other important thing is to get something you're comfortable wearing. There's a huge difference in how long you can comfortably wear a cheap suit for as opposed to a decent suit. This applies to shirt, as well, actually - if you get the cheapest all-polyester shirt you'll be itching like mad after 10 minutes. Get something decent now, and it'll last you years - and you'll need it once you finish uni and have all those job interviews to go to

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. My first job interview went... horribly wrong!
    By jackvdbuk in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 18-12-2011, 01:33 PM
  2. Telephone Interview
    By Disturbedguy in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 53
    Last Post: 17-06-2011, 10:00 AM
  3. Interview!
    By Elmo in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 19-11-2010, 09:00 AM
  4. Replies: 19
    Last Post: 30-04-2009, 03:28 PM
  5. Interview
    By Nick2k in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 27-11-2006, 01:32 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •