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WHAT TO WEAR TO YOUR IT INTERVIEW
Making Business Casual Work For You
In 2012, when Mark Zuckerberg wore a hoodie instead of a business suit to his meeting on Wall Street, he made headline news. Some said dressing down was a sign of his “immaturity” while others argued it was his own “personal style”. Although the tech industry is known for being casual, when it comes to first impressions, “formality” is still a sign of respect.
When interviewing for a technical position or start-up company, even one in which your day-to-day outfits may be casual, you don’t necessarily need to wear a suit and tie, but you should wear something be a bit more dressy than a T-shirt and jeans.
Dress as you would for the job, but as Chef Emeril Lagasse says, “kick it up a notch” when interviewing. According to IT World, it is your “job” to make sure your IT interview exhibits what skills you have visually. That being said, you are also part of the visual presentation. You do not want your potential employer thinking that he or she will have to tell you how to dress.
Most companies adhere to a “smart business casual” dress code. For men, that means wearing a jacket or blazer over a polo or collared dress shirt. Pants should be clean and wrinkle free. Women should wear a skirt or a pair of slacks with a blouse or colored shirt. They should also avoid fabrics such as satin, lace, or chiffon as well as flashy costume jewelry.
At Strategic Recruitment Solutions, we are here to answer any questions you may have about how to dress for your interview. As your advocate, coach and agent, we will help you ensure your outfit reflects the company brand. Always remember, first impressions make a big difference.
While you are being interviewed, feel free to ask about the company’s attire and/or dress code. What you wear to work will depend on the industry and whether you will be in direct contact with clients. Startup companies are known to be “rule breakers” will allow you to push boundaries when it comes to how you dress for work. However, an IT department at a law firm, may require that you wear a collared shirt. Bustle magazine put out a great style guide for woman providing tips on how to dress for every industry, from “foodie” start-ups to tech companies.
You may be able to wear sneakers once you land the job, but for the job interview, wear casual or dress shoes. According to a study in the Journal of Research in Personality, shoes are a source of first impressions. A majority of people base their judgment on someone’s shoes first, before taking other things into consideration.
We are all conditioned to make judgments. Just think about the consumer choices that we face daily. We are constantly evaluating potential purchases based on size, shape and color. It is only “natural” to judge potential job candidates by what they wear. In an ideal world, our talents and experience should count for everything regardless of how we dress. But when you roll out of bed and throw on the first thing you find in the closet, that will not reflect your “eye for detail”. There is a fine line between fashion, professionalism and personal judgment. Call us at Strategic Recruitment Solutions today and let us help!
