Suits For Job Interviews (Phoenix: how much, lawyers, transfer)

[grmi66]

I know Phoenix is more laid back when it comes to wearing suits and ties. Used to have a job that required a full suit when I lived back east and when I transferred to Phoenix I was able to ditch my jacket and occasionally my tie. Now I am back in Phoenix and have job interviews lined up with some professional level firms later this week. So I will show up in a tie, but do I need to show up with a full suit if it is 110 degrees outside and get away with it?

[Goober13]

I would wear your suit and tie. Lawyers wear suits and ties while walking downtown to court in the heat. It's all about your professional image. Just put your suit jacket on when you get to to the interview, and take it off when you get back in the car.

Once you get hired, then you can see if more casual dress is the norm.

[liz451]

Agreed. It's never going to hurt to wear a suit. The only people I know who wear suits daily in Phoenix are lawyers, accountants, or high end executives (who even go more towards sport coat look now) but you might as well for the interview - shows you want the job to be willing to wear a suit in 110 degree weather!

[pbenjamin]

Yes, although my workplace (IT for a high tech firm) was mostly a jeans sort of place, when we had folks in for interviews there was more or less of an expectation that they would be wearing a suit. On occasion I would actually warn people that they didn't need to wear a coat/tie, but unless you hear that, it's best to dress up.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by grmi66

I know Phoenix is more laid back when it comes to wearing suits and ties. Used to have a job that required a full suit when I lived back east and when I transferred to Phoenix I was able to ditch my jacket and occasionally my tie. Now I am back in Phoenix and have job interviews lined up with some professional level firms later this week. So I will show up in a tie, but do I need to show up with a full suit if it is 110 degrees outside and get away with it?

For interview purposes, given that you are interviewing with a company that will require a suit and tie (even just sometimes), I'd just go with a suit and tie. You're putting your best foot forward, so just deal with the heat for a couple of days.

You are correct though, that, for the most part, Phoenix is much more laid back. This is the top reason, IMO, that eastern people often fail to connect with the area or the people (either professionally or personally). There is a very large culture gap between the Southwestern states, and the northeastern 1/4 of the country.

[stephen431]

Our company has a dress code that changes to business casual in the summer. I'd still wear a suit for an interview.

[johnp292]

Unless specifically told not to by the person who made the appointment, I'd always go to an interview with the suit and tie. Even then, I'd personally probably wear a tie at minimum.

[Bondurant]

I work security at a large financial company in the area. I handle people almost daily that come to interview. Most men arrive in full suit (sometimes minus jacket). I've wondered myself if it's necessary in the summer months and I cannot say how much weight it holds. Likely not much but if most do so in the professional world, I'd just go along.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by Bondurant

I work security at a large financial company in the area. I handle people almost daily that come to interview. Most men arrive in full suit (sometimes minus jacket). I've wondered myself if it's necessary in the summer months and I cannot say how much weight it holds. Likely not much but if most do so in the professional world, I'd just go along.

As someone whose job responsibilities include interviews, I can tell you it holds a lot of weight. As others have mentioned it shows you're serious about the job. You took the time to make a good impression rather than looking like you just stopped by. It shows respect for the company and the interviewers who are giving you the opportunity. On a similar vein, if I had to appear in court I would wear a suit to show respect for the Court and the judicial system (no I'm not a lawyer). Same idea when you go on a job interview.

While this might not be true for some types of jobs, on an interview, first impressions mean everything. Showing up dressed inappropriately casual is a huge faux pas that is likely to cost you the job. A professional recruiter will tell you that not only should you wear a suit, but your shoes must be polished, nails neatly trimmed, breath fresh, hair cut, etc etc etc. You're there to make an impression and sell yourself. Unfortunately, appearance matters a great deal.

Would I reject a good candidiate simply because he didn't dress appropriately? Very possibly.
Would I ever risk a good opportunity myself by not getting dressed up? Never.

Here's an interesting question Bondurant: of the men who show up without a jacket, do you ever see them a second time?

[Finger Laker]

Have respect for the company, position and process and put a suit on ..... even if it goes back into the closet full time once you get the job

especially at a professional firm