In reading JenFromJersey’s post (LOVE these forums, btw) I’m just wanting to be sure I didn’t waste my money. I’m a male designer who will soon be interviewing in NYC for any sort of entry-level art work. I got a pretty good deal on a nice three-button suit, all the while thinking it’d be my main fare come interviews. Is a suit even too formal for a guy? Should I return it (still has all the tags on it) and use the money to buy trendier or more fashionable business casual clothes? Please let me know!
Ed2010™
A woman's take
My editor (a man) wears a suit almost every day. When one of my guy friends interviewed at my mag, he took that into consideration and wore a suit, but I think he went with a colored shirt (instead of white) and without the tie. He also kept his hair in his usual indie-rock hairstyle. He looked professional AND creative.
He didn’t get the job, mind you, but that had nothing to do with the suit. (And my boss liked him, but y’know, went with someone else.)
Thanks for the insight. I
Thanks for the insight. I think I’ve decided on keeping the suit, and dressing it down a bit so that it’s not too uptight. It does have a very slim fit, so that’s good. Here’s hoping my portfolio and experience speak louder than my looks (which will hopefully be not bad, either.)
it’s situational. what
it’s situational. what magazine? are you interviewing with HR, an EA, or higher-level editor? What is the suit actually like?
personally, i wouldn’t wear a suit on an interview in this industry, especially for art dept. work. i just think it comes off as too formal, and might make you look inexperienced in the industry. particularly if it’s a pretty traditional suit, i.e. pleated pants, not slim-fitting, conservative color, etc. but i also wouldn’t return it, just because you can always use a good suit.
my guidance for interviews as a guy is nice pants, a button-up, and a tie; sometimes, a button-up under a sweater, with or without tie. if you can make it cooler with a skinny tie or a less basic pant or a cool belt do it. and particularly if it’s at conde, try for high-quality pieces. you could also throw a blazer on, but again it shouldn’t be super-tradition dad-ish.
general rule: dress up more for HR, slightly less for editor, slightly less for EAs.
you should keep and wear the
you should keep and wear the suit, but my advice would be to not wear a tie with it and try to make it as casual as possible. the thing about suits (especially in an art dept and at mags) is that it makes you look a little uptight and so much of getting a job is whether the interviewer thinks you would fit in and be fun to work with. just keep this in mind… good luck!
Thanks
Thanks for the tips. It’s good to know that I didn’t spend that money for nothing!
Keep your suit!
Keep the suit. Never return a good suit at a good price.
I’d wear it, quite frankly. I’ve worn a suit on every interview, even when those interviewing me were in jeans. I got a job today wearing my suit, the Friday before Memorial Day, when even the company CEO was wearing a pair of jeans. In our day and age, many people seem to forget that it’s never a terrible think to look professional.
I would really go out there with a suit on—if someone on the other side of the desk honestly thinks less of you as a candidate because you’ve got a nice three-button with a good tie on, then you shouldn’t want to work there in the first place!
Good luck, godspeed!