Suited and booted or not???
 

My husband has a second interview just after we land in Calgary (he has already had a phone interview) and was wondering if he should wear a suit. We have had mixed replies - he is going for a engineering/technician job at a soft drinks plant.... He doesn't want to look overdressed but as we are fairly limited with our luggage when we first go out, we don't want to pack a suit unneccessarily. He had an interview last year but it wasn't in the city, and suits definitely weren't the order of the day! Any advice appreciated, thanks!

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Smart Casual with a Sports Jacket.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

More mixed replies.

I'd go in a suit. On a regular day I'll wear a suit just because. It gets noticed - in a good way.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Go with what he thinks is appropriate - suit with a tie, suit without a tie, smart trousers and a blazer, smart trousers and a polo shirt, jeans and a polo shirt, jeans and a t-shirt, shorts and a polo shirt, shorts and a t-shirt, shorts and bare chested, speedos and nothing else.

I have had lots of engineering clients and, with the exception of the speedos, I have seen clients wearing everything listed above;)

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

if it's the UK I'll always go in a suit.

In fact I just landed a contract 2 weeks ago when the recruitment agent stated that the office was casual dress and I could go in jeans if I wished. The suit didn't seem to do any harm.

If/when I get to Canada I'll go in a suit unless I'm told it will lose me the job.... but that's just me.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Thanks guys! No fixed rule then!!! Scribe - that's kind of what we're thinking, surely a suit can't harm your chances but if you turn up in jeans and it's looked down upon, then that could...

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Canadians don't know what a suit is...they come to interviews looking like lumberjacks

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

When he decides what to wear make sure he walks in holding a medium Timmies double double and he will fit right in unless the company is a Starbucks crowd.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

If I was going for a completely 'cold' interview I would wear a suit, i.e. if I had never met anyone at that company before, or been to their offices.

Being overdressed is noticed for the first few moments only. Looking unprofessional creates a lasting impression.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Suit and tie. It shows a lack of respect if not. Its fine and expected to be more formally dressed than the interviewer/s.

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I would agree wholeheartedly with this. No-one has ever been criticised for being smart. At least you have demonstrated respect and a level of effort.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Quite. If it's more than they expect they'll put it down to being foreign.

The idea of buying and carrying a "Sports Jacket" is very strange. It'd take up as much room as a suit, cost money and never be used again.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

What if you dont like sports then what kind of jacket should you wear?

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Does it really show a lack of respect if the job is technician at a soft drink plant? It is possible to be over dressed for certain roles. If it's an office role, suit and tie makes sense, but in some roles (like in factory) smart casual must be ok too. Especially in Western Canada.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Rubbish, and how many interviews of Canadians have you conducted in your less than one year in the country (according to your profile)?

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Not that serious eh? I read that as a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment.. but with no smilies.

It made me smile, but then again I'm easily pleased :D

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Suit and tie without question, particulary for the job that your husband is going for. You can never be overdressed for an interview of tha nature but can easily underdressed.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

I think one thing remains true wherever one is in the western world: those with serious money don't care how they look; wannabes do. I have attended functions with those with more money than some small countries that dress like most on this board would if mucking about with their young kids on a Saturday afternoon. I have also attended functions with lots of wannabes that dress like they are attending a function to impress at the Monaco Grand Prix.

I agree with most above: suit and tie will not look out of place at an interview in downtown Calgary.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

You most definitely are easily pleased. I'm fully aware it was to tongue in cheek but it was stupid and IMHO not the slightest bit amusing.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Given that you said this:

it should be no surprise to anyone that you don't find funny things funny. Tasseled loafers with that outfit, Sir?

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

I didn't find it paticularly amusing, but it wasn't stupid either.

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No, with socks with little dogs on them and those old people's white or tan trainers with the velcro straps. :rofl:

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I found wearing a suit went down well with potential Canadian employers

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

I like to see a man in a suit, I always think it makes a good impression, and yes Canada is less formal than lots of places, but you can always dress down once you've got the job! Where I am now working lots of people come in jeans, as it's in the university campus, but people with appointments always come in suits. For heavens sake put a good shine on your shoes, it's the first thing I always look at...I can't bear unpolished shoes. Very best of luck:fingerscrossed:

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Thanks Millie and everyone else for your helpful and not so helpful (!) responses! I think he will definitely wear a suit, but maybe not a tie, as he hates them and that will make him feel uncomfortable anyway!

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

A suit without a tie? If you're going to the effort of wearing a suit, you should wear a tie.

For most interviews I've done and been involved in, a shirt and tie, dress pants and good shoes (polished) is the norm - no need for a suit jacket.

My 2 cents

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Perhaps a bow tie? That always goes down well.

But never, never a clip-on.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

Or a comedy one that spins.

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

so much rage

since you asked...i've not personally conducted any interviews, but i've seen my company have several people in for interviews over the last 9 months, and i've yet to see one of them in a suit

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

:thumbup:

What kind of company is it and how are the candidates attired?

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

a lumberjack company























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Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

:D

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

:D now that's funny.....IMO of course

Re: Suited and booted or not???
 

That made me lolz, broke up the boredom at work for a few mins :)