One-third of managers prefer candidates wear suits in interviews

But another third say it depends on the position or department: survey

One-third of managers prefer candidates wear suits in interviews
In a survey of senior managers, 33 per cent said candidates should always wear a formal suit when interviewing for a job. Shutterstock

While casual dress codes seem to be gaining ground in the workplace, some employers expect more polish when meeting with job applicants, according to a survey by global staffing firm Accountemps.

In a survey of senior managers, 33 per cent said candidates should always wear a formal suit when interviewing for a job.

However, 37 per cent felt proper interview attire depends on the position or department at the company.

Almost all respondents agreed that how a person dresses is important during the job interview: 40 per cent said it’s very important, and 49 per cent said it’s at least somewhat important.

Recommended job interview attire varies by industry, but suits are more often preferred in finance, insurance and real estate (44 per cent) compared to retail (23 per cent) or construction (21 per cent), found the survey of more than 600 senior managers.

“Hiring managers may want to eliminate any uncertainty leading into the interview by letting candidates know the suggested attire ahead of time,” says Koula Vasilopoulos, district president for Accountemps, a division of Robert Half.

“This way, the focus remains on having an engaging and effective meeting where all parties can assess if there’s a good match between the applicant, the role and the company.”

 

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