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Topic: interview attire for designers in NYC
| Author | Message |
| noodle9 | Posted – 10/23/2007 11:03:29 PM | show profile | email poster Hi, all. I'm a mid-level web designer in New York City and am wondering if anyone can advise on how to dress for interviews in this industry with ad/creative/design/marketing agencies. I'm also interested in the interview attire "rules" for corporate in-house creative depts. For example, I know that casual/hip agencies don't necessarily require a suit because the culture is casual, but what is appropriate? Black jeans with button up shirt/jacket? Pressed slacks with a shirt and tie? Could the same be worn for an interview with a coporate creative deparment? Any advice is much appreciated! |
| dglaze | Posted – 10/24/2007 10:14:41 AM | show profile | email poster Dress like a designer Regardless of where you are interviewing, do as much research as possible on the culture. No need for a suit or tie unless you are going into a business formal environment (i.e., financial institution). Even most in-house creative departments have a slightly different take on business casual. Regardless of where you go, look nice. Pressed clothes, nice shirt...look like you are a designer with a sense of style. I would advise against jeans. I've interviewed designers who show up in jeans and a graphic T and I'm not impressed. |
| bart23ny | Posted – 10/24/2007 11:17:03 AM | show profile Frank Sinatra said something like "It's always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed." Just because a company is casual in the workplace, it's always good to dress up for an interview. |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 10/24/2007 3:23:08 PM | show profile Don't "try" and look like a designer. That's so transparent and can come off as ridiculous. Dress what you deem appropriate and use your OWN sense of style...not someone else's. |
| cabaraba | Posted – 10/25/2007 12:22:58 PM | show profile Be yourself, but obviously a formal version of yourself. No matter what, an interview is a formal occasion. As a designer, however, its best to avoid a matchy suit. I usually wear a stylish, (yet well-structured and appropriate) outfit. NO jeans! Designers usually wear jeans when they work, but its definitely not interview attire. Er on the side of being too formal. |
| AWC | Posted – 10/25/2007 4:33:19 PM | show profile I have interviewed lots of designers here in NYC -- even if you suspect the atmosphere of organization is casual, you should make an attempt to look reasonably professional during the interview process. A suit is not required, but I would recommend wearing dress pants or nice khakis of some sort, a dress shirt or (depending on the time of year) a nice sweater, and a blazer. No need to wear a tie. And wear real shoes, not sneakers. It's casual, but still looks professional. Save the jeans and sneakers for after you get the job. You may have to step it up a few notches for corporate in-house job interviews depending on the industry. For example, you should probably break out the tie (and perhaps a suit) for anything in the financial services/banking sector. Just use your best judgment, but remember it's always better to overdress than to under dress for interviews. |
| jackbauer | Posted – 2/21/2008 9:04:48 PM | show profile Black jeans with button up shirt/jacket.Pressed slacks with a shirt and tie |
| nydesigner | Posted – 2/21/2008 11:52:53 PM | show profile No jeans I agree with one of the above posters: Dress like a dressed up version of yourself. Look professional but let your creativity shine through. This link was originally posted on the ed2010 message board and I thought it was helpful with ideas of what to wear on an interview: http://whowhatweardaily.com/website/wwwtv.php?id=f6vqfndbpj |
