Hello everyone,

I was just wondering if wearing a suit for an interview is absolute necessity in Switzerland? Specially for IT jobs where your skills are more important than your looks. I do understand that one must be presentable at all times, but a suit seems to be an overkill to me.

Any suggestions are welcome.

And how about interviews in UK. Hoping some expats from UK can help.

Thanks.

Yes wear a suit..............always wear a suit!!!!!!!!! No exceptions!

Well, there is one exception. When I done a few porn shoots it was just my birthday suit, but suit none the less!

General interview advice is always dress in a suit or at least smart no matter what the job entails. For my current job I wore a dress with a suit jacket for the interview even though the office dress code seems to be jeans (or shorts on a day like today).

Create the right impression from the off. If you are badly dressed or look like you couldn't be arsed what does that say about your work ethic?

Not sure about IT, but for my last 3 interviews in the Pharma industry, I wore a smart shirt with a blazer (depending on the season) and a smart pair of trousers. Switzerland is generally less informal about the workplace than the UK, I often wear shorts and t-shirt to work in the Summer, then again, I never deal directly with customers.

well it really depends, do you want the job??

If it's a Swiss company, and it's engineering or IT, and not an upper management position, a suit is really overkill!

Tom

Ah, yes, just realised Tom and the OP are Ticino chappies. Forget the above posts - flip-flops and beachwear are the way to go down there...

If I did't want the job, I would not have started this thread.

I wear shorts, but never a T-shirt, always a collared button up shirt (as I am at the moment).

Years ago, I used to wear a tie and sometimes even a suit to work, but they all thought I was crazy so eventually I gave up on it!

I still haven't started wearing sandals, though (unlike most people I work with).

Tom

Thanks a lot Barney Stinson ;P

ok then, look at it this way

If you turn up in a suit and its not needed does it harm your chances?

If you turn up in shorts and flipflops and they expected you suited and booted will it harm your chances?

sorry, but its a total non brainer, interview = suit

Got it. Thanks. I assume this applies to UK too.

yes even more so in the uk

Better be over dressed than underdressed: first impressions are difficult to change!

IT job? I'd have thought a curry stained Red Dwarf t-shirt would be compulsory for them to take you seriously.

I never would, never have hired someone who came to an interview wearing suit. However it is very dependent on the job function, industry and level.

Whether you choose to go in a suit or not, a Unix T-Shirt is a must in all cases! It will earn you brownie points and set you apart from the crowd

Err....you mean Linux T-Shirt.

As someone who used to interview people in the UK for basic-level jobs in offices I would still expect them to wear a shirt, trousers and tie minimum. The people interviewing you will probably be wearing such so why not treat them and the position with a bit of respect.

I hope I don't run into one of your kind in the interview.

Would you please elaborate on why you wouldn't hire a suited (both senses of the word) person?