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Interview: Dress Code...

Being a graduate within the industry [2008] - I have found job openings and interviews sparse due to the recession. Therefore, I haven't really gained experience in how to, shall we say, "walk the walk" at interview.

However, I have recently got an interview within the sector and I wondered what would be the "right" dress code? Other indiviuals within the design industry have said to dress casual or "creative" style - would this also apply within the interior architectural industry, or would it be better to wear a suit etc.?

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7 answers

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aa_87 [ Editor ]

Hello. As an interviewer, my advice:

  • Don't make too much of a statement with your clothes, keep them simple.
  • Most architecture firms aren't suit environments
  • Not too casual, it is good to see that interviewees have made an effort.
  • Dress smart, ie Shirt and trousers for men. Slightly smarter than you would wear to work normally.
  • Some offices don't like denim, so I would avoid jeans in the interview. I would avoid jeans in the office, unless you see others in the office wear them.
  • Dress code is very dependant on the firm, some are much smarter than others. See if they have staff photographs on their website, or ask around to see if you know anyone who works there.
  • If in doubt wear black, at least you will look like a typical architect.
  • Dress in something you feel great in, it will boost your confidence.

Good luck

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tim humphreys

My experience is that you can never over-dress at interviews. Once you get the job you can tune your level of dress to those around you in the office, but noone is going to think poorly of you for being too smart. However they may well do if you are the most slovenly person they have interviewed!

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laurence

Many architects claim that suiting and booting for an interview is 'over the top and salesman-like.' Nonsense. I once recall seeing an interviewee at my office coming in wearing jeans and white trainers. Disgraceful and the height of arrogance.

For me, the architect profession is far too casual as it is. Look at all the other sectors and you will see a correlation between what people wear and their relative success/earning power. There is an underlying message in the scruffy and generally dreadful dress sense of architects: it ties in very well with our increasingly subservient and submissive role…

And once you get the job, continue to dress that bit smarter. As they say: ‘Dress for the job you want, not the one you have.’

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ally

Wear a suit, then - if you get the job - you can decide what is appropriate to wear in that particular office. There are no hard and fast rules but as far as first impressions go no one will think anything bad about you turning up in a suit looking smart for your interview :)

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henry j

This is a tricky one, I've had plenty of interviews and think I've worked it out a bit...

For guys:

If the interview is in a small practice, especially in London a suit sometimes feels a bit over the top.

If it's a big practice a suit is the way forward.

'creative' is good if it's your normal look. Smart shoes are the way forward. Greys and black let your portfolio shine.

There's a good book called why architects wear black.

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