Should I invest in a taylor made suit?

if you have never been at a job interview before, then

a) don't let that get to you - there's a first time for everything
b) your interviewers will have read your CV and take your inexperience into account; they will want to put you at ease, and allow you to answer the questions they ask you
c) be kind on yourself, so if you don't succeed at your first interview, there's always the next one
d) get practiced -
- by doing some real interviews, taking each seriously
- by asking for advice, and practice interviews, from your Careers Service; its what they are there for
- by getting someone else to look though your CV, and do some role play (you each play interviewer and interviewee, as its instructive to discover what you would be asking if you were the interviewer)

best of luck

 

Aye...
Always amazes me in, say, a nightclub they have a dress code such as "Smart Casual Only", implying that the place will be more upmarket as a result of keeing out the scruffy hippies and punkrockers.. Funny thing is that all the trouble is caused by those who conform to the dress code, i.e. the sheep

 

Yeah thanks, I have had plenty of interviews in the past, before going to college and university I was a bit like Frank Spencer (he never goes to work, he just goes to interviews"

I am not too worried about it anyway. I am going to spend the next week just tidying and refreshing my programing skills which should boost my confidence.

 

Each to his or her own, Mick. My suit and tie phobia is a personal thing; I do not mean it to be taken as a universal rule. I'm just very glad that, in my particular profession, the customers are interested solely in my expertise and what I can do for them, and not in my sartorial elegance or lack thereof. If AT needs a snappy suit, he needs a snappy suit.

 

.. and check that CV/letter for spellies and grammer/punctuation. I'm sure that you pay attention to the syntax when programming; a good CV/letter will reflect well, and v-v.

 

I've told this story on here before, but I was in the waiting to get into an indie club and a group of lads got turned away becuase they were wearing a shirt etc, the bouncers made some pathetic excuse thats its a private members night only. I was behind them, I was wearing scruffy jeans, trainers and a t-shirt, I got in without any ID or anything.

Certainly in the clubs I have been to they do seem to be ones that cause most the trouble. I don't really go into the mean stream clubs though.

For work clothes its different though, I would love to be able to go work in trainers and jeans but its not professional and not many places will let you do that. Although my dad always did and he was management grade.

 

not snappy, just well turned out. doesn't have to be a suit, its just that a suit is an easy choice. remember that this is an interview with a potential employer, and they may have plenty to choose from, so have to stand out for the right reasons, which is, as you suggest, "my expertise and what I can do for them".

 

It has to be tailor-made because the trousers waistband needs to pass just under the nipples. You can't get trousers like that just anywhere, you know!

 

AT,

Yes, this can be true IME. Of cource, this means that you need to be comfortable presenting your self in this way. When you choose your suit etc. you need to make sure that you feel good about the way you look in it.

Remember, you are being interviewed because a potential employer IS INTERESTED IN YOU. You have made it through the application screaning and now you have an opportunity to demonstrate to this person/persons that you are the right person for this job.

At this stage in your career, the confidence you need to demonstrate is the confidence that comes from your ability to quickly learn and apply this to practical situations. You may not have the working experience but this is not expected yet. You do have x years learning experience. You ought to be able to articulate your grasp of the work and your ability to learn, adapt and apply your growing experience.

Don't loose heart if your first interview doesn't go as well as you want. Get a couple under your belt to learn from. You will be fine.

Best of luck,

Stuart.

 

Suit you sir!

AT,
at an interview the general thoughts are that you have but a few moments to make an impression either good or bad upon those interviewing you so I would expect you to reach deep down into your store of inter-personal skills and work them for all they are worth. Imho one of the quickest ways to make a good impression (without seeming to try too hard or be too pushy) is to mirror the speech patterns, actions and clothing of those you are with. I think you are on the right path as you have made an educated guess at the clothing you will need in an attempt to mirror those sat across the table.

So if things go well both you and the interviews will feel comfortable together and this feeling of almost being on of the group will should allow you to display your knowledge of the job without worrying too much bout other things. Remember both sides want this recruitment interview to be as painless as possible after all both sides are investing both time and money into this venture so anything that helps to arrive the right result can't be all bad.