Interview etiquette during COVID
Thinking of a cross country move to be back to family (NE back to SoCal) and will start interviewing soon.
What are online interview etiquettes nowaday? We've been interviewing young analysts and I find it awkward they're suiting up while I have on a work sweater with boxers down under.
Honestly, I don't care if someone just dresses casually nowadays, but some might? What do y'all think? I feel like full suit is ridiculous but a pajama t-shirt is unacceptable. So a collared shirt without tie is appropriate?
I’ve conducted some interviews in the last 6 months and as an interviewer, I always wore a button down and jeans (obviously can’t see the jeans) without a tie. My work is formal (right now, while the office is <50% occupied, we are business casual, including jeans) and in a normal situation I would most likely be wearing a tie but not necessarily wearing a jacket (I keep one in the office, but don’t always wear it).
As for interviewees, I’ve had a range from a guy in a v neck sweater to someone in a full suit/tie (at least on top, no clue about their lower halves). I can ignore not having your haircut right now, but not at least wearing a shirt and tie is an issue in my book. If you did video interviews pre-COVID because of distance, you would still suit up. So while interviewing right now via video feels weird, but it shouldn’t change basic interview dynamics. Also, not being dressed up enough can hurt you, doesn’t usually hurt you the other way.
Have been interviewing with suit and tie bc it takes very little effort and is the safe thing to do. While dressing down a bit would look and feel normal given how casual interviewers dress, I think it’s better to be conservative
Had an interview with a partner a few months back who audibly laughed when he saw me in a suit. I guess everyone’s different.
I think you need to dress up as you would if in person. It's all signaling at the end of the day, as in "I dressed up because this is important to me". Now for some jobs and markets, a jacket and no tie is normal and others (like NYC...) it's full suit and tie or nothing. At least pre-covid, NYC (and most NE I think) was always way more formal than SoCal, so perhaps SoCal goes sans tie. Still, I probably wouldn't want to risk it.
Maybe COVID has reset the expectations, but I would tread carefully. I mean, I am wearing a polo shirt about 100% and would put a button down on for like a "zoom" speaking role at a conference (seriously, only times I've bothered since this started). Of course, in our firm, nobody ever wears ties, not even the CEO going on CNBC, it's not our culture. Still, we implicitly expect interviewees to wear the uniform (hint, that's how we know someone is there for an interview, they are significantly more dressed up).
Again, maybe let the SoCal'ers tell you if it's different, but I'd not recommend taking any risks here.
Interviewed via zoom about a month back for a position in SoCal... I wore a suit and tie and I think they appreciated it. Shows that you take it seriously.. plus its always better to be over dressed than under dressed.
I lol'd when we started the zoom call though, because both of the MD's look like they had just got back from the surfing (wet hair, shirt buttons undone down two or three buttons)
Agree with the others. Shirt, tie and suit jacket should still be worn even for these virtual interviews. Its a first impression, and I don't think it takes much considering you're not needing to travel on-site.
the main thing - do not forget to wear a mask
If HR or a recruiter is setting up the interview for you, just ask. They know what the hiring manager expects.
If not, default to suit, tie, and jacket. If the interviewer is wearing a t-shirt or laughs at what you're wearing, just make a joke about it or something and move on.
It is almost always better to be overdressed for an interview than underdressed. "Man, remember when you wore a tie to your zoom interview?" 6 months later is funny. "Cross him off the list for not taking this seriously" isn't.
Iste voluptas non molestias accusantium. Ea voluptatem qui perspiciatis minima non. Aut dolorem omnis delectus qui fugiat est officiis. Minus accusantium harum et officia cumque illo. Minima velit quia molestias praesentium et et dignissimos.
Minus est dolorum doloremque quia non tempore. Quia non autem saepe. Asperiores numquam et doloribus nesciunt occaecati officia beatae. Placeat debitis facilis iste quisquam autem. Aut earum nostrum ratione maxime unde.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...