<p>In this particular case, the interview is described as 'informal'. What does that mean? My parents are convinced that informal = suit without a jacket... is that true? How casual should I go?</p>
<p>For the curious, the school in question is HMC, so anyone with experience there feel free to give your input...</p>
<p>PS: sorry if this question has already been asked many times, as I'm sure it has... the 'search' feature isn't working on my computer ><</p>
<p>Khakis, button down shirt or polo shirt, and no tennis shoes.</p>
<p>I had an interview for Bowdoin and considering it was at Fazoli's (fast food) I wore a sweater and some casual style khakis.</p>
<p>There's a thread on the parent's forum about interview clothes. I was surprised at the variety of what's considered normal business clothes. "Informal" is not helpful for those of you trying to decide what to wear.... what type of job and where?<br>
Also consider that it's better to be overdressed than under. Classic "business casual" is khakis, navy blazer and either solid or patterned shirt with or without tie.
And get a haircut! I'm sure my S didn't get a great internship because of his ponytail. Or maybe it was the goatee....</p>
<p>To clarify: it is a college interview, not a job interview.... but I guess the attire is probably the same for both. It's on campus, and in California, if that has any impact (I hear CA is more laid back) ?</p>
<p>for all interviews i'm just gonna wear khakis, dress shoes, and a dress shirt. Tie is optional, lol. Suit is a little overboard.</p>
<p>Hmm...here's a question. What does the interviewer usually wear?? If he's wearin jeans and a t-shirt and you're in a suit i'd find that kind of awkard.</p>
<p>aha, college interview is much more laid back than internship or job: On campus in CA: move up a notch from flip flops and shorts but ties would be overkill.... khakis and polo would be good. if you don't do khakis then really dark new jeans. If your shirt is new looking and doesn't say anything it's probably fine. Shirts with sayings could either be a great icebreaker or a total problem, and hard to tell beforehand...</p>
<p>I always recommend erring on the side of cautious. Informal can mean different things to different people. I'd go with khakis, a button down shirt or polo shirt and NO tennis shoes or sandals/flip flops. </p>
<p>Suits are overkill unless told otherwise...or unless you are interviewing with a management consulting firm or an investment bank.</p>
<p>Never wear jeans, t-shirts, flipflops/tennis shoes to an interview. It may not be a deal breaker, but why take a chance?</p>
<p>Being comfortable is more important than looking proper. The interviewer should have respect for that.</p>
<p>GatorEng, the interviewer (as well as the workplace), will respect an employee's personal need for comfort, but only to a limit. They still expect a person to adhere to a certain dress code/image. The thershold depends on the particular industry and the geographoc location. But one must always put their best foot forward in an interview.</p>
<p>I'd say slacks and a polo shirt</p>
<p>So why don't you people wear what you normally wear?
I'd rather avoid the preppy look, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>College interviews are generally more relaxed than job interviews (depending on the interviewer and position of course), but there is always an element of appropriateness and respect that is expected. </p>
<p>Candidates should not feel "right at home" at an interview. Like I said, a college or employer will assume that the candidate is at her/his best when they show up for the interview. If one's best is scruffy, unhygenic and devoid of fashion sense, it could result in rejection, if the interviewer is remotely conservative and/or if the interview in question is a determining factor. </p>
<p>I personally interview candidates for jobs as well as for college (high school seniors applying to my graduate school alma matter). I have different standards for professional applicants than I do for college applicants. For job interviews, I expect candidates to be clean cut and professionally dressed. For college interviews, as long as the student is presentable, I am fine. However, I also coordinate interviews with other alums as I cannot interview all the candidates applying to my alma matter, and some alums expect the applicant to be dressed as though they were interviewing for a job. </p>
<p>So, to be on the safe side, men should wear slacks/khakis, botton down shirts/polos and semi-formal/business casual shoes. Ladies can get away with being slightly more casual, but not too much so. </p>
<p>In short, a laid back interviewer will not turn down an applicant for being dressed too conservatively. On the other hand, an uptight/demanding interviewer may turn down an applicant for being dressed too casually. In all occasions, good hygene is expected.</p>
<p>"If one's best is scruffy, unhygenic and devoid of fashion sense, it could result in rejection"</p>
<p>Are you kidding me? So if I didnt shave the day of or comb my hair real nice and I didn't wear trendy fashionable clothes I could be rejected? This seems like a strech to me, I doubt a school will reject you because an intervewer didnt like your sense of fashion or how you looked as long as you werent a total solb. Im not the expert on this, and maybe interviewers really care about this stuff, but if they do I find that ridiculous. Aren't colleges trying to accept smart and decent people based on personality, leadership, determination, intelligence etc.? Who the heck cares about fashion sense? Also, don't they want a diverse class and not all cookie cutter preppy, excuse the term, "pretty boys"? I don't see why colleges would care so much about you wearing polos, slacks., etc to an interview. Why not dress like yourself, thats who you are, thats whos going to be at the college, they know people arent always fashionable dressers with fancy hairstyles. There needs to be less emphasis on how you look and more emphasis on who you are, I thought we learned that in elementary school.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>i would heed Alexandre's advice. he knows so much about all this its mind-boggling. its the smart thing to do to listen to him. but i think it would depend on location. one of my interviews was at a barnes and noble so i just put on khakis and a polo. one of my interviews was at the school's undergrad admissions place. put on slacks and dress shirt. i dont really see the benefit of going in a t-shirt and jeans at all. I know you might you hate it but I would think that the student isnt serious about the interview. idk, its just how it is. deal with it. its only going to be a few times at most. on a side note, i hope the heels part of your sn is for UNC. go heels!...and wildcats!!</p>
<p>Patsandheels (good choice of teams), there is a difference between what I said:</p>
<p>"If one's best is scruffy, unhygenic and devoid of fashion sense, it could result in rejection" </p>
<p>and the way you interpreted it:</p>
<p>"So if I didnt shave the day of or comb my hair real nice and I didn't wear trendy fashionable clothes I could be rejected?"</p>
<p>At any rate, I agree with you in principle. The clothes do not make the man. But why take a chance? Why not make the right impression? It takes very little time to shave, shower and dress appropriately. Making a fashion statement or attempting to express yourself through what you wear is perfectly fine, but doing it while interviewing may not be the safest move.</p>
<p>I agree that it would be stupid not to clean up and look nice and all, im just saying that I dont think its something they should pay attention to in principal. I believe that you know what ur talking about I just wish the applicant wasn't judged on what he wore. Also, GO HEELS I was born in Chapel Hill and might go back to school there. Applying to northwesten so maybe I should echo the go wildcats cheer as well.</p>
<p>I'll say what I always wear, and was lucky enough to get into a top school.
Pants with belt, but no creases (thats too suit like)
non-white button down shirt with collar
snazzy (but not dress) tie
and the best part, leather (almost aviator, but not too) jacket zipped up, so the top of tie shows. call me nuts, but I get a raised eyebrow and compliment every time. i guess its a weird enough mix...</p>
<p>What should girls wear? I'm going to be doing a couple interviews in late August, and I'm wondering what I should wear. Would black dress pants and a button down top be too formal? I have a white knee-length skirt and a blue/purple patterned skirt that goes to just above my knees that I could wear too, but would they be professional or business-like enough? I'm planning on buying a pair of khaki pants sometime, but I'm not sure if I'd have time before the interviews or not. And what sorts of tops are appropriate for girls? I assume that button-downs and polos would be fine, but what about other dressy-ish tops?</p>
<p>Upsilamba, what kind of interviews are we talking about?</p>