To the HR people of the forum

[marlinspike]

I know Rambit is in HR, and IIRC there are a few others. Do any of you think it matters what kind of tie I wear to interviews (given that I'm a law student looking to work in a firm)? I know that when I was interviewing attorneys, I didn't care as long as it was tasteful, but firms are more conservative than legal staffing agencies it seems. Do I need to wear a repp tie (which would mean buying one, though Brooks Brothers has a good sale that ends midnight) or can I stick to my tasteful animal prints (Brooks Brothers and Hermes, so while animal prints they are still very tasteful)? Most of my profs do wear prints, but then there is a difference between having a job and interviewing for a job.

[Northern Rider]

Richard, get yourself a nice dark conservative blue tie with a tight geometric pattern (unless, of course, your suit is neon green).

When in Rome . . .

[marlinspike]

I guess I should add that I don't have a navy suit, so I'd be wearing a charcoal suit (meaning a blue tie would be a no go). I was thinking if I did add a tie for this purpose it would be a burgundy-navy-gold #1 repp (aka politician special...actually, that's the red-white-blue one) Brooks Brothers | Men | Stripes | BB#1 Stripe Tie

The funny thing is, I'm one of those guys who always dresses well (not in fashion but with classic style...at 21 I've been asked more than once if I'm a new professor at the law school), but the repp tie is just one of those things I never bought.

[Northern Rider]

Yeah - that would work.

I'm glad that lawyers are still wearing ties -

It makes it so much easier to strangle them . . .

[Rambit]

Taste is in the eye of the beholder and the beholder in this case is the interviewer. Of course your personal taste will be the one making the decisions, but keep in mind that your choices should reflect the expectations of your interviewer. You should make a determination about the image and style of dress of the company in your sights. Are they conservative in their appearance like a bank, or more contemporary like an ad agency, or are they somewhere in-between?

Conservative is always the way to go Richard. What looks good together is both are an art and a science. The first step is to choose a suit that is a single dark color or a subtle dark pattern. The classic choice is the dark blue business suit. Your charcoal suit will be fine.

You can't just look at the tie separately though. The color choice of the suit will set the framework for selecting the shirt and tie. Choosing the shirt and tie is the second step. A good rule is that either the shirt or the tie should have a stronger pattern or color while the other should have a subtler pattern or color, but they should both not be too strong nor too subtle. Say no to the animal prints Richard!!!

I suggest going to a quality clothing store and asking for help in choosing coordinating colours. Tell them it's for an interview. They have the experience and are the professionals.

Hey, good luck Richard!!!

Bernie

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

It makes it so much easier to strangle them . . .

Good point Pat!!!

Bernie

[GoofyTimL]

Rambit's in HR? I thought he was up to his elbows daily in Pizza?!!!

[Rambit]

Yeah, but I'm Human and I've been known to have had sexual Relations with thaty woman...haha.

Bernie

[marlinspike]

Originally Posted by Rambit

I suggest going to a quality clothing store and asking for help in choosing coordinating colours. Tell them it's for an interview. They have the experience and are the professionals.

Hey, good luck Richard!!!

Bernie

Thanks for the good luck. It's not the color guidance I needed but the guidance on how conservative I need to be. I'm the guy going to the store telling the tailor "half break on the trousers, 1.4" cuff (yes, this does look better than the 1.5" cuff, try it), show 1/2" of shirt cuff (I have a drop shoulder so I can't just tell the guy 4.5" from my thumb tip, it's more like 4.75" on one side and 5.15" on the other)" before he has a chance to ask. I wear a jacket every day and a tie about as often as I don't (you know my family history Rambit; while the money isn't there these days, the upbringing still is)

Suit will be charcoal (like I said the money isn't there, only have it for the 1 suit and a person can get away with charcoal at a funeral...once I get a job I'll add a navy and a navy pinstripe and a charcoal pinstipe and then more as time goes on), shirt will be white, and I guess tie will be repp.
So...IBM uniform it is.

Oh, and they actually don't wear ties any more. The senior guys still do, but everybody else wears a golf shirt and slacks...bunch of bums.