Hello, I was just contacted for an interview from UPenn and we’ve arranged to meet at Starbucks; I was wondering if this would be okay? I’d be wearing either a blue sweater with a white collared shirt underneath, unbuttoned at the top button, and black jeans with black dress shoes, or this same outfit with a cream sweater and a light blue collared shirt. Is this too casual? Should I add a black tie under, or scrap the whole outfit?
Are you a guy? That seems fine to me. It’s kind of funny though because I once wore that exact outfit, as a girl, and got called out by my mentor during my placement work for not being professional enough. I go to Penn, haha. Maybe change the jeans to pants.
@rebeccar Yeah I’m a guy. Thanks for the tips!
I get the impression that most interviews are meant to be casual so your outfit should be fine. Because you are meeting at Starbucks, even more so.
I would maybe wear khakis instead of jeans.
It’s interesting that on the West Coast, that would be more than enough for a “casual” interview at Starbucks.
Unless you’re wearing dark denim jeans, I would go with khakis.
Khakis would be my vote.
Son had his interview at Panera bread for MIT interview in SoCal. He also wanted to wear “jeans”. The guy came directly from work in his suit. I’m glad I made my son wear Dockers.
Play it safe with khakis.
I would not wear jeans. Get a younger interviewer and they’ll be fine with it, but someone on the older side will probably see it as not showing enough respect for the occasion.
@mikemac They’re completely black jeans, does that make any difference?
No denim
The weight of opinion is against jeans. You don’t need a tie, though.
Rockin’ the school colors is always good. In interviewer should not be looking (in detail) at what you are wearing. Dress appropriately for the venue. I think you are doing so with your choices. Beyond that, be comfortable and don’t make the interviewer uncomfortable. You know what looks good on you and how you feel comfortable.
Note: if you interviewer is an adult, you might want to weight the advice given by adults a bit more heavily.
@Hunt, where do I stand (with you) on that spectrum?
I don’t know–ItsJustSchool, I thought your response sounded like a response from another student. If not, I apologize. I’m a parent.
@Hunt, Just curious- no apology needed.
I maintain, I would wear whatever is comfortable- I don’t think the interviewer will seriously be that uptight about your choice in clothes, as long as they are clean and neat. If you are worried, go with khakis; I think it is a non-issue.
I agree that it SHOULD be a non-issue. But there a still some old fogies interviewing for some selective schools.