Jane Barlow

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!

Auld Yin

Smart Casual with a Sports Jacket.

rwin

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.

Almost Canadian

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

scribe123

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.

Jane Barlow

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...

haggis88

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

Former Lancastrian

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.

Jingsamichty

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.

Oink

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

rivingtonpike

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.

dbd33

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.

Former Lancastrian

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

Shard

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.

Auld Yin

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