OT: Dressing for a final interview at a start up

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always put your best foot forward.

I agree with @yesrutgers01 wear the suit and tie until they tell you not to. (maybe a jacket, tie and pants....no suit)

Agree. They're already where YOU want to be.

Let them know you respect them / the process.

MO

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I did once get a job wearing east coast suit and tie to an interview in silicon valley.. I think they were more impressed that I was only there for the few hours the interview process took and was heading straight back. Like others have said.. stood out like a sore thumb... did not matter.

Just kill it on your presentation... and good luck.

 

[yesrutgers01]

It's funny, just a few months ago I started with a new company. We actually met the owner and his wife at the Queen/Adam Lambert concert at PNC. So, at the first interview, I show up in a suit and tie. IT company...Owner and his partner both wearing Jeans...First thing he does is make a joke out of it and wanted to hurry up and bring me to his partner, who I had not met yet...

Walks me to the office and says to his partner that the Auditor was here.

We all laughed about it. And yet, coming in the next week to meet their CIO and COO, I still wore a suit to the interview.
After that interview, the owners finally says, next time you come in, I want to see jeans and sneakers!
He hired me immediately and my first day on the job, jeans and sneakers.

They still laugh about introducing me that first day as the Auditor

Also agree with a couple of things Fla said. Even if the bosses are wearing shorts and flipflops, don't ever just assume it is ok for you to do so as well. Also, if you are currently working and they ask you to fit in an interview during your work day or maybe immediately after. Be upfront with the hiring manager that you are scheduling with that your current dress code is business casual and ask if that is ok for the interview. Obviously, mention this before you walk into the interview though.

 

[Knight Shift]

I'm glad that you picked up on this part...It is the key to the interview. They are having you do a presentation, the best way to make any presentation good is to lighten up the mood just a little bit. Starting with a comment such as hoping this is the last time you see me in a suit show confidence but not cockiness and some humor while not standing there making jokes. It also shows that you are both respecting the job, company and interview process while also recognizing their environment and that you want to be a part of it.

Be careful with the humor part. No jokes about politics, sex, race, religion, or anything perceived to be mildly controversial. We think it is great when candidates show a sense of humor. But in today's environment, there are too many things that trigger people.

 

[jmc11201]

surprised no one recommended a birthday suit

 

[yesrutgers01]

Be careful with the humor part. No jokes about politics, sex, race, religion, or anything perceived to be mildly controversial. We think it is great when candidates show a sense of humor. But in today's environment, there are too many things that trigger people.

Agree, and that is why I only said to make light of wearing a suit and that hopefully it is the last time they see you wearing one.

 

[Jtung230]

This, but he's right: if these things aren't tailored/fitted properly, forget it.

Fitted is very subjective.

 

[Jtung230]

I wouldn't go too casual just yet.

Presuming you wore a traditional navy, black, or charcoal suit already, maybe mix it up with a slightly more casual look. Do you have maybe a brown or navy blazer to wear with dark pants, shirt, and tie?

I go for that look for more casual client meetings, where it looks less like a uniform and more like "I pieced this together but still command the room"

Shirt sleeves are too short and need lighter brown shoes with that jacket.

 

[Knight Shift]

Agree, and that is why I only said to make light of wearing a suit and that hopefully it is the last time they see you wearing one.

Just had lunch with a client. There was a TV on in the bar, and something was on about Trump. Was surprised that the client was and still is a Trump supporter. In today's environment, NEVER bring up politics.

 

[RU4Real]

My personal opinion...

Wear a suit.

At some point during the interview, if everyone is putting out a casual vibe, take your jacket off.

Wait a few minutes, and if the room still seems to be with you, take your tie off.

After a while, kick off your shoes.

Give it another few, then take off your shirt. Here's where you can be creative! You can unbutton it, slowly - or if everyone is really pickin' up what you're puttin' down, then just rip it off!

At this point they will have either hired you on the spot, if they can stop laughing, or they will have called security to rough you up a little on the way out.

Either way, you're a winner. You've crushed it.

 

[mildone_rivals]

surprised no one recommended a birthday suit

I believe I did, unless a smile and a good attitude is considered attire.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

Now to recap the facts -

interviewing at a mid-sized start up (50 people) - - for a senior role

Interaction to date -
2 X One-hour phone interviews (successful)
1 - Four-hour on-site in-person interview - interacting with 7 people in the company (successful)

Now you are coming back to make a one-hour case study presentation to a group of 5 people in the company - safely assuming that they want to observe your problem solving abilities and your mentoring / explaining / persuading /communication skills in a more real-life context. Maybe they want to test - maybe they want to learn - maybe a bit of both

from what you say you might (if hired) be the "oldest" player on the team (that may be a plus )

Things that would be key to know
- do you have a "champion" within the company - somebody who is your contact person or even your advocate? might take the temperature with them.
- who is going to ultimately say Yes or No ?
- will any / some / most of the case study attendees end up reporting to you? - or would be peers?
- what role is this "senior role" marketing / sales / creative / finance / operations ?
- if the role is client - facing - - what does the client interaction environment look like? lots of high-grade polished professional settings? or lots of virtual / phone interaction? or lots of industrial or tech settings?
- are you bringing an entirely new capability to the company? - or up grading what exists?
- are they thinking about going public? would you be a key part of the team that woulds be doing road shows & interfacing with the potential investors?

All things to think about - some may refine your thinking

bottom line - sounds like you more than sufficiently impressed them in a suit - so unless you were told - "thanks for dressing up - but next time please, please, please be business casual" -
you might want to stick with what is working - dazzle them with your presentation & be cool calm & collected while looking like you would be entirely at ease in the Boardroom of Merck , J&J, Prudential or anywhere - sort of - maintain the mystique - if you are bringing some new aspect - they want to believe that you will be the one to guide them through new territory - if you are to be one of the most senior - go with that "been there before & know how it is done" look & air - possibly they are wanting to add a bit of 'commanding presence' to their team as they grow. They know that they can always get you to relax and wear jeans and sneakers.

 

[Blitz8RU]

So I'm interviewing at a mid-sized start up (50 people) for a senior role. I've already had two rounds of interviews. 2 one hour phone screens and a 4 hour in-person interview with 7 people. They are bringing me back for a one hour case study presentation to a group of 5 people.

In my in person interview, I wore a suit and a tie. The people I interviewed with were all super casual in dress: sweats, jeans and one dude was wearing a white T-shirt. Most of the people are in their twenties and early thirties. The oldest guy is the CEO and I'd guess he's in his mid thirties. I'm in my late 30's.

Here's my business etiquette question: How do I dress for this final presentation? I don't want to be "outside of their culture" but I want to be appropriate? Do I go back in a suit & tie or do I bring it down? Suit, no tie? Business casual, jeans?

Just wear business casual. Kakhis and a button up shirt should do.

lol at suits.

No one gives a **** what you wear as long as it's not pretentious.

- I work at a senior level tech position at a mid-sized tech startup in silicon valley.

 

[Knightmoves]

AFAIK no one ever lost out on a job by dressing well, showing respect for the organization they want to join.

But I may be wrong, because I am now retired. When I show up at volunteers jobs I always go casual.

But they are not paying me.

 

[BigRnj]

Here's my business etiquette question: How do I dress for this final presentation?

Duh... wear a Joe Knew tee-shirt

 

[RUboston]

I would stick with the suit and tie as you're still in the interview process. When you're hired, hopefully, you can ask about the dress code and how you should dress for work.

 

[eceres]

I'm a firm believer in asking your contact setting up the interviews.

As a lot of people mentioned, it's hard to know. If your going in blind incitement wise, I actually agree with the stick with what you did advice.

 

[Metropolitans3]

Khaki is not cool at all. Dark dress jeans, dress shoes, button down, no tie, jacket.

If they are really hip, get some new ink on your forearms, take off the jacket and roll up the sleeves to show it off.

(The first part was serious)

 

[Scarlet1984]

The correct answer is dress slacks and a jacket with open collar (unless you are super comfortable in more casual attire).

Wearing anything else looks calculated and unnatural. Great that people got jobs wearing suits in business casual environments, but it’s a bit of a turnoff.

Wearing a suit makes an annoying statement and it’s never clear to me what the statement is. The open collar with a jacket is very respectful.

 

[Jtung230]

Open collars with a jacket just says i’m too lazy to put on a tie or I don’t think this is all that serious. The latter could be true but check with them first.

 

[Scarlet1984]

Open collars with a jacket just says i’m too lazy to put on a tie or I don’t think this is all that serious. The latter could be true but check with them first.

To clarify, I have been part of the approval process for many, many senior people in smaller tech firms. Since my firms have always been business casual, it actually is a turnoff when a guy comes in for a second interview in a suit.

"No tie" is not lazy. It says "I am someone who will fit in".

Also, I believe wearing a tie conveys a bit of subservience. This is a two-way sale. They need to sell you. Show them respect and dress nicely, but that's it.

Interestingly, I always try to wear dress slacks interviewing a more senior person - just as I would for any more serious business meeting.

 

[Scarlet Haze]

Nice shirt, dress pants and a sport jacket with NO tie. That is absolutely the way to go. You still show respect while acknowledging that they are casual which they would have expected you to notice in your previous interviews. At this point the only reason to wear a suit and tie is if you are meeting senior management that you have not met yet.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

This is a two-way sale. They need to sell you. Show them respect and dress nicely, but that's it.

Yes.. I think there is something to this.. this process seems to be beyond this point.. you have likely already been successful in Scarlet1984's "they need to sell you" point... but asking intelligent questions about the company, their products, the type of work you would be doing.. all that tells the company that you have done some homework AND that they need to woo you and much as you need to convince them that they should want you. And that helps in a number of ways.. you seem more desirable than someone throwing themselves at them.. and it may cost them more to get you.

 

[Scarlet Jerry]

I’ve done dozens of interviews. I’ve never seen anyone cut from advancing to the next round or become a finalist because they were “overdressed.” If they do that to you because you wore a suit, It wasn’t worth getting a job with them in the first place.

Scarlet Jerry

 

[RU848789]

If they're wearing sweats, jeans, and t-shirts, and you show up in a suit and tie (after meeting with them in person twice to see what they wear), you run the risk that they may feel you aren't a good cultural fit.

But at the same time, you don't want to show up in sweats and a t-shirt, because you run the risk that they may feel you aren't taking the interview process seriously.

I would recommend something in the middle ... business casual. You can wear khakis or similar and a dress shirt (not white) without a tie and maybe a sports jacket that you can take off.

Agree with this approach, although as somebody else said, if you feel comfortable with one of the folks at this company, it's not a bad idea to ask for attire advice. The only time in my career I wore a suit was to my first interview at Merck (an all day event with a presentation by me to 20-30 hard core tech folks in pharma).

I asked my buddy who was a Merck Director (at the time, but back in school at RU for 2 years to get his PhD), who recruited me for the interview, what I should wear and he said a suit, so I did. And got the job. I haven't worn a suit since that day - which is a huge part of why I stayed here the last 29 years - hate stuffy atmospheres. We don't insist on suits anymore, but we tell interviewees that ahead of time, so they don't fret about something so trivial.

 

[RU85inFla]

Agree with this approach, although as somebody else said, if you feel comfortable with one of the folks at this company, it's not a bad idea to ask for attire advice. The only time in my career I wore a suit was to my first interview at Merck (an all day event with a presentation by me to 20-30 hard core tech folks in pharma).

I asked my buddy who was a Merck Director (at the time, but back in school at RU for 2 years to get his PhD), who recruited me for the interview, what I should wear and he said a suit, so I did. And got the job. I haven't worn a suit since that day - which is a huge part of why I stayed here the last 29 years - hate stuffy atmospheres. We don't insist on suits anymore, but we tell interviewees that ahead of time, so they don't fret about something so trivial.

Times have changed. 30 years ago I interviewed at Bell Labs. Wore a suit. Similar all day interview with a presentation of masters work. My quandary was weather to have a drink with the rest of the group at lunch. I passed but I was the only one.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

My rule has always been to wear the suit and tie until they tell you not to. In a case like this, I would still go with a suit and tie but maybe start your presentation with a slight joke about it. Maybe something like "Let's hope this is the last time you have to see me in a suit"

Or, if you have had this many conversations and feel fairly comfortable, just call someone you are meeting with and ask them.

!00% correct. It's easy for a boss to tell someone to dress down, but having to tell someone to dress up shows the prospect is an idiot. Always dress up when unsure.

 

[DJ Spanky]

I’ve done dozens of interviews. I’ve never seen anyone cut from advancing to the next round or become a finalist because they were “overdressed.” If they do that to you because you wore a suit, It wasn’t worth getting a job with them in the first place.

I remember a while back I interviewed at KPMG up in Mahwah - at the time I had a bit of a mullet, nothing extreme, just over the collar. However, the feedback to the recruiter was very positive but with the comment about did I always wear my hair that long. I thought the recruiter was pulling my leg, but she was incredulous that they had made that comment since she had met me. Needless to say I turned down the next round of interviews with them.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

I remember a while back I interviewed at KPMG up in Mahwah - at the time I had a bit of a mullet, nothing extreme, just over the collar. However, the feedback to the recruiter was very positive but with the comment about did I always wear my hair that long. I thought the recruiter was pulling my leg, but she was incredulous that they had made that comment since she had met me. Needless to say I turned down the next round of interviews with them.

And became a world-class DJ--screw The Man!! I would blow my brains out working for an accounting firm.

 

[RUbacker]

Sport coat and tie. It's toned down and if you feel overdressed take off the jacket, losses the tie and roll up the sleeves. Most of all, good luck.

You got this far decked out so they like you , don't change now your luck may run out.

 

[rutechie]

Here's a thread on LinkedIn on this topic- Hope it helps:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/updat...vity:6348532657458073600,6348621177535234048)

 

[Scarlet1984]

Here's a thread on LinkedIn on this topic- Hope it helps:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6348532657458073600/?commentUrn=urn:li:commentactivity:6348532657458073600,6348621177535234048)

LOL. They got it right on that thread

I think the consensus was "dress one level nicer than their standard".

Also - the obvious easy one is to just ask in advance.

 

[rbled]

People saying you can't go wrong overdressing couldn't be more wrong. That was the old axiom and is still true in many industries (banking, law, accounting, consulting, etc.). However startups operate under different standards and for many (most?) culture is VERY important. If you have been to the offices numerous times and the majority of the company is under 30 and are typically dressed in t-shirts and jeans, you run the risk of appearing tone deaf by showing up in full suit and tie.

I certainly would not recommend dressing super causal however I would definitely ditch the tie. I would probably wear a well tailored suit with a fitted shirt. You could also go with khakis and a blazer but I am personally not a fan of the look. It shows an appropriate level of respect for the situation (you will likely still be the best dressed person in the room), but avoids the risk of coming off as "stuffy" (read: old).

 

[czxqa]

So how did it go, damnit? I keep checking back here thinking we will know by now...

 

[FanuSanu52]

So how did it go, damnit? I keep checking back here thinking we will know by now...

Seriously. Usually I wouldn't be that interested, but guy's gotten pretty much every piece of fashion advice short of cut-off short jorts matched to a "Hips, Nips and V-lips" T, so wondering which direction he took and if it worked.