2nd interview with partner this time - wear?

[SFA]

So I got a call for a 2nd interview, this time with a partner of the firm.. I am know in doubts and wondering whether I need to wear a suit this time. I know the environment is business casual, and last time I went there for the interview I had a shirt/tie attire.. but maybe this time I need a suit to kinda give a good final impression? Reason why I am NOT thinking a suit is a good idea for the following reason. It is summer time.. no one wears suits at this time (as much anyway).. especially when I will be going in the morning commuting it by subway. Last thing I want is be standing in the middle of a subway cart sweating through my suit. I also realized that in my wardrobe I have NO suit. meaning if I was to get one, I would have to zip it to downtown today quickly in *hopes* of getting something done/ready by Sunday (although highly unlikely.. most places need like a week or so)


What do you guys think? Am I save going in with a shirt and tie like I did last time?

[rdtx2002]

how badly do you want the job?

that should give u the hint

[charliebrown]

So I got a call for a 2nd interview, this time with a partner of the firm.. I am know in doubts and wondering whether I need to wear a suit this time. I know the environment is business casual, and last time I went there for the interview I had a shirt/tie attire.. but maybe this time I need a suit to kinda give a good final impression? Reason why I am NOT thinking a suit is a good idea for the following reason. It is summer time.. no one wears suits at this time (as much anyway).. especially when I will be going in the morning commuting it by subway. Last thing I want is be standing in the middle of a subway cart sweating through my suit. I also realized that in my wardrobe I have NO suit. meaning if I was to get one, I would have to zip it to downtown today quickly in *hopes* of getting something done/ready by Sunday (although highly unlikely.. most places need like a week or so)


What do you guys think? Am I save going in with a shirt and tie like I did last time?

Accounting or consulting firm?

I'd say, unless ur interview is at a golf course, wear the suit...a nice suit/tie combination pls. Even tho the firm may be business casual, i recall seeing quite a few partners dress up on a frequent basis (same goes for senior mgmt ppl)

[Bachelor]

A suit would be ideal, but you could also put on a blazer to complete the business attire. It could even look stylish if you do it right. Don't wear a leather blazer though.

[TotallyKiller]

how badly do you want the job?

that should give u the hint

That has nothing to do with it. It's a valid question as to which is more appropriate. Saying that if you want it bad enough you'll wear the suit is misleading.

I work for a big-4 accounting firm and I wore a suit to my interview with the partner. And when I left he specifically told me that I should have left the suit at home.

You have to consider that you don't want to be dressed up more than the people in the office that are already in the position that you are being interviewed for. Or at the very most, take it one step further than them. If they are all business casual, you can go up to a tie, but no jacket. If you're interviewing for management, then you can take it up to a suit, if the managers there are wearing ties. I'm in management and even the partners for the most part are leaving the jackets at home, or more often wearing the suit with no tie.

Do your research, try and remember what everyone else was wearing and stay close to that.

[SFA]

That has nothing to do with it. It's a valid question as to which is more appropriate. Saying that if you want it bad enough you'll wear the suit is misleading.

I work for a big-4 accounting firm and I wore a suit to my interview with the partner. And when I left he specifically told me that I should have left the suit at home.

You have to consider that you don't want to be dressed up more than the people in the office that are already in the position that you are being interviewed for. Or at the very most, take it one step further than them. If they are all business casual, you can go up to a tie, but no jacket. If you're interviewing for management, then you can take it up to a suit, if the managers there are wearing ties. I'm in management and even the partners for the most part are leaving the jackets at home, or more often wearing the suit with no tie.

Do your research, try and remember what everyone else was wearing and stay close to that.

Thanks for the post.. that clarified a lot (and confused me more ;) )

I was just worried of over-dressing and walking in to an environment where most/all the partners are in golf shirt, thus making me uncomfortable and nervous.. and at the same time, I don’t want to walk in with just a shirt/tie
combo only to have the partners all dressed with business suits. And oh yeah, nothing is WORST then being underground in the subway with a wool suit hugging your body.

Hmm.. to make things even worst, I just realized I have no suit in my wardrobe and I am contemplating whether I want to make the trek to buy one today. The 1st interview I did go to I was interviewed by the manager, and she was wearing business casual.. When I got the tour around the office unfortunately NO ONE was in the office, so I couldn’t tell what kind of attire is normally worn by others.


Hmm.. I guess I will go with the suit combo and let you guys know how it went. Nothing is worst then over-dressing for an interview to make you feel uncomfortable and throw off your confidence! Worst case, if I wear the suit and tie and find myself too formal or uncomfortable, I can loose the tie and go with the shirt and suit combo instead.

Thanks for the suggestion guys!

[lingenfelter7]

There are many management people that still wear suits in the summer. If you are meeting with a partner of a firm, I would suggest a suit, it's not just an HR rep or other employee.

It depends on the environment, but you haven't gotten the job yet so I wouldn't suggest dressing down (even if it is a biz casual workplace). If anything you would want to be dressed more than being underdressed, so I would keep this in mind.

They may joke saying you might be overdressed, could even be an ice breaker if you joke about it as well, which is better than behind closed doors remarks saying you didn't look professional.

[trusoulja2g]

I have a hard time imagining that a suit would not be standard for an accounting/consulting/law interview. When I interviewed at a Big 4 firm, everyone (partner, manager, and interviewees) was in suits, and although the office is business casual, the partner was in a suit when I met him at the office tour.

Partners in golf shirts? Maybe they're more relaxed in the summer...but that surprises me.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with a suit for the interview, even if it is suit-optional. If you're really worried about it being too hot, perhaps skip the tie (I wouldn't).

Once you start working, if this is for a client-facing position, you will need to have suits in your wardrobe anyway, even if it's usually business casual in the office.

[poorwingman]

That has nothing to do with it. It's a valid question as to which is more appropriate. Saying that if you want it bad enough you'll wear the suit is misleading.

I work for a big-4 accounting firm and I wore a suit to my interview with the partner. And when I left he specifically told me that I should have left the suit at home.

You have to consider that you don't want to be dressed up more than the people in the office that are already in the position that you are being interviewed for. Or at the very most, take it one step further than them. If they are all business casual, you can go up to a tie, but no jacket. If you're interviewing for management, then you can take it up to a suit, if the managers there are wearing ties. I'm in management and even the partners for the most part are leaving the jackets at home, or more often wearing the suit with no tie.

Do your research, try and remember what everyone else was wearing and stay close to that.


i work at a big 4 as well and i think it really comes down to the individual partner

it's better to overdress than not. at worse, they'll think you're nervous and appreciate the effort.

[weales]

I work for Moores The Clothing People. I wore a suit to my first interview and after that, I wore jeans :lol:

[Awshuks]

SUIT!! No doubt about it. Overdressing is so much more forgiving than underdressing.

[weedb0y]

Professional suit.

[Kerby]

what big 4 do you work at?! 'cause i don't understand how you can tell someone who's going for an interview to not wear a suit

i work for one --> wear a SUIT --> it's a sign of respect for the job you're applying for

[teknoluv]

Don't let your interviewer know about this thread, or you'll be grilled. OF COURSE, you should wear a suit!

[TotallyKiller]

A suit won't hurt you, I just said do your homework. Foe even a big-4 firm, the way you would dress would vary slightly depending on the partner (as someone pointed out) and the group. I do know that for departments outside of tax and financial audit, there are many that you can get away with the suit jacket on the arm, the nice shirt and dress pants, but no jacket or tie, etc. etc.

In the end, I'll say I agree. Err on the side of caution, go for the suit if you want. It certainly won't hurt. Good chance you'll never wear it again.

Good luck.

[Ohboiya]

it's better to overdress than not. at worse, they'll think you're nervous and appreciate the effort.

Absolutely agree. I've worked in Big 4 and now am in my 2nd industry job. You *almost* always wear a suit. Better to err on the side of caution.