Should I wear a tie for my interviews?

Not a entry-level position, but instead I have a couple of years of industry experience and I have yet to see anyone who would wear a tie in the office. (I do prop trading for a large fund, and I'm applying to another fund.)

Now I have to options

a) Wear tie. Risk: Look weirdly formal to the interviewers. Seems like I don't know the industry, because nobody ever wears a tie unless they are out to meet clients.

b) Do not wear tie. Risk: Come off as too casual, maybe even disrespectful.

Advice?

 
stevek84:

Not a entry-level position, but instead I have a couple of years of industry experience and I have yet to see anyone who would wear a tie in the office. (I do prop trading for a large fund, and I'm applying to another fund.)

Now I have to options

a) Wear tie. Risk: Look weirdly formal to the interviewers. Seems like I don't know the industry, because nobody ever wears a tie unless they are out to meet clients.

b) Do not wear tie. Risk: Come off as too casual, maybe even disrespectful.

Advice?

option c: wear a wife beater and banana hammock.

wear a fucking tie, its a job interview.

 
Best Response

I had an interview with an in house M&A team of a commodities trading firm. The headhunter who connected me to the opportunity told me to specifically not wear a tie as the guy was super casual.

Coming from IB, this seemed too good to be true. I decided to wear a tie, but no jacket.

I show up and the guy who is interviewing me is wearing jeans and a polo shirt. I then casually joked to him that I guess I overdressed. He said that they only dress up if they are out meeting potential target companies and other professional companies, but in the office it is super casual. The interview ended up going perfectly fine, but I wish that I had listened to the headhunter.

I am not sure about prop trading, but you could probably get away with nice pants, a nice shirt, but no tie, no jacket.

Go East, Young Man
 

Don't let them see the label below the keeper loop. I doubt they are going to sit in a room after the interview and say, "We really liked that kid, but I think he was wearing a tie that was nicer than mine and that makes me uncomfortable."

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

Now you need to determine how well it will sit with your co-workers if you come blazing in the first day with Gucci loafers and Hermes around your neck. Just saying, the interview is one thing, giving the other people in the office ammunition is quite another. Full disclosure - All the Hermes ties that I own are $10 knock offs that say "Herman" on the label...

"Decide what to be and go be it." - The Avett Brothers
 

I think that it is all in how you present it. If it's subtle, and is detectable by the trained eye, no big deal. Don't wear a Salvatore Ferragamo belt and leave your suit unbuttoned the whole time for everyone to notice SG on your waistline. But I definitely agree about the watch. A good timepiece is always a nice touch.

"Decide what to be and go be it." - The Avett Brothers
 

This is my thought process. I appreciate the guy who wears a Hermes tie, Gucci Loafers, and/or a luxury watch. I enjoy these items and if you do as well, then right on.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 

Just to clarify, My hesitation to wear the hermes tie is because-- as a sophomore in college with no work experience other than babysitting and being a camp counselor-- I just didn't want to come across as some little shit who was born on third base and thinks he started at home (if that makes sense). I also heard about the company from my dad who heard about it from talking to the owner of the company's wife, and my interview knows that. So I really didn't want to further perpetuate the idea that everything about me is a result of riding my dad's coattails.

 

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