This is something I suspect I've got wrong in the past: Calgary is very into business casual - for a FIRST meeting about a job, should you wear a shirt & tie, or something more casual??

If I were you I would definitely wear a tie. You want to give them the right impression. Not wearing a tie or suit may be construed as lack of seriousness!

I think most of Canada is very business casual, yes, even in Toronto. You should see what some people will wear to work. Stuff that I wouldn't even wear to scrub the toilet!

However for an interview or the like you really want to make the best impression you can...even if the interviewer is wearing a tracksuit!

Interested

ps good luck!

you can't go wrong with a shirt and tie - better safe then sorry

Wear a shirt and tie for the interview. Be formal or else they will think that you don't really care that much about getting the job.

Suit and tie. Regardless of what the interviewer is wearing, the suit and tie is perfect attire.

And like Interested said, you won't believe what some people wear to work. Once you get the job you can be a slob. I have seen people in third world countries dress better to work in their fields than Canadians do to go out or to a job. Quebec is an exception - men and women dress well.

But Glaswegian is into IT...and we all know they are a bunch of born-again hippies. Too formal: might not fit into the groovy vibe they want to pretend their organization has. Don't software firms have pool tables, bean bags and daycares in their offices (for the single dads)? I say proper trousers and a shirt; don't worry about the tie so much. Also, go Hugh Grant style in "About a Boy" style and get your hair professionally dishevelled.

Or you could just wear a suit and tie.

Had the same kinda predicament recently for an informal chat with an oil sands company - in fact their HR had said to be business casual so no need for a suit or tie...I didn't listen..got suited and booted up and glad I did. Will echo comments by the gurus that you go dressed to the nines cos its all about 1st impressions - let the interviewer be in his/her pyjamas if they choose to. As a by the by Ray1968 you would be making a killing in Fort McMurray - a condo starter type home - 2BR undeveloped basement is 200K Canadian...and that's the not so nice part of FM i.e around the downtown area. Thickwood, Abasands et al you are talking 250K.....for 1200 sqft no wonder they can't get anyone to work up here

I don't have enough hair to do the Hugh Grant thing ...

I did what I've done for the last couple of successful interviews ... I went along to Moores and asked ... for the informal first meeting, I'll wear a suit with a silk blend mock neck top ... they've got some nice double cuff shirts (like I used to wear when I worked in the City years ago, they're just catching on here, glad I brought my cufflinks ) I'll get one if I make it to a second interview.

Moores do some very nice clothes ... they also put effort into training their sales people in what's in and what isn't.

If you get into the right software company it's a pretty cool job here ... but you have to get yourself known

I wore a suit for each of the four interviews I had in Toronto, this is despite the fact that advertising is a very casual business. When I start I don't expect to be wearing anything more smart than a pair of jeans and a t shirt...

Then go for the Patrick Stewart look

How do you know I've got a big nose and I'm going bald ... very close cropped hair is actually the new look for guys who would rather avoid the combover look ... many senior IT people in Calgary are wearing it these days.

Personally, I don't recommend it until you've adjusted to the winter temperatures .... I've only really gone for it in the last year

It's not acceptable for me to look that most days ... I wear the IT guy uniform the rest of the time ... golf or casual shirt (pref.with certification logo) and kakhis ... collarless shirts and jeans don't go down too well unless it's an expensive collarless shirt, but I'm not sure even expensive designer jeans are acceptable outside of Stampede week ... same thing goes for cowboy boots

This is also a first meeting ... a quick 30 minute chat ... if everything proceeds in life with expectations, later formal interviews will be different.

Tell me about the close cropped look, I'll be heading that way within 2 years Bald before I'm 30, I blame my parents!!!

Don't know if you get 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy'? If you haven't seen it, it's very interesting viewing ....

On one show they took a lawyer who had a hideous glued on toupe ... persuaded him to take it off and go for the close cropped look ... big improvement.

Yes we do get it, on a Friday night, but I rarely get to see it as I don't get home until late. I would never wear a toupe though, if it was that or nothing, I'd have the landing pad look and then buy a hat !