No Tie to Interview

What are your thoughts on not wearing a tie to an interview in real estate? Generally think of real estate as less "formal" than your traditional finance positions. Do you think it is acceptable to interview without a tie? Maybe just the suit jacket/pants?

Thoughts or automatic ding?

25 Comments
 

What do you have to GAIN from not wearing a tie? Your first impression will largely dictate your chances at the firm, so wear a tie.

 

The only time that not wearing a suit is acceptable is if you know with 100% certainty that the people at the firm look down on the 'suit wearing crowd'. I know a few friends that had tech interviews that went that way, but barring that very specific, uncommon situation, you should always wear a suit.

"Who am I? I'm the guy that does his job. You must be the other guy."
 

I had an interview for an accounting role at a very small repe firm (5 people max), and naturally I wore a suit, but the acquisitions lead was wearing jeans and a t shirt I believe and was legitimately concerned that I was wearing a suit since I "did not get the memo" from the recruiter. It was weird, but being in the suit made me feel more at ease.

Quant (ˈkwänt) n: An expert, someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing.
 

100% wear a suit unless they explicitly tell you not to.

I wear a button down and jeans to work every day. Still wore a suit to the interview.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
Best Response

I went to an interview with a recruiter in 1995 at age 18 for a warehouse position in Sacramento. She asked why I was there for a warehouse job in a suit and tie. I told her that I thought every interview is supposed to be in a suit and tie.

That day she referred me to the branch manager of a national finance company for an interview. 20min later I had my first interview. A week later with the district manager. They hired me.

That's how I got in to finance.

Where the suit and tie my friend.

 

Hands down, tie.

Anecdote: Different industry, but heard of a guy interviewing at a major airline for a pilot slot. He wore a suit and tie to an interview, but he got shit/questioned because it was tied poorly/sloppily. Essentially, the director (subjective title) asked "you're an extension of our image. if you can't tie a tie correctly, how can we trust you to operate the plane properly?"

Now, I digress. Way different industry, pretty old school, and that's very extreme. But, this wasn't too long ago. So, people do notice that kind of stuff.

You lose nothing by putting your best foot forward, setting a good first impression, and presenting yourself in the best light.

 

Have seen a few super days go by, have always had to play some role in managing them as an analyst. Never seen a guy without a tie get an offer. But his lack of tie was never a formal reason why he got dinged. Still convinced it was a huge factor. Heck, I would even consider wearing a tie to my first day on the job even if you don't have to wear one. It just shows you care about the role you are discussing.

 

Ties are the hangman’s noose...

That said, for a junior finance or real estate position just wear a tie. There is no upside in not doing so.

When required to suit up as an entrepreneur at this stage of my life (40) I never wear a tie. I almost only wear jeans and a sport coat for more formal occasions. I will wear a suit and tie at wedding and funerals. That’s about it, and that’s why I work for myself.

 

I don't see much downside to wearing a tie, but I see plenty of upside. In undergrad I wore a tie (didn't own a suit at the time) to an interview to work part-time for an industrial supplier and got the gig. For my job now, even though dress is business casual (slacks/khakis/dress shirt/polo), I wore a suit and tie to every interview.

Generally, you are going to dress more formal than the people interviewing you, at least that's been my experience.

 

I'm an intern with a real state company... didn't wear a tie but wore a tailored button down with nice pants and oxfords for my interview. Can't confirm this works for every position, but in my market I would be looked down upon for rocking a suit.

Simply put, confidence is everything... didn't give a fuck what he thought about my wardrobe.

 
"blank020202" What are your thoughts on not wearing a tie to an interview in real estate? Generally think of real estate as less "formal" than your traditional finance positions. Do you think it is acceptable to interview without a tie? Maybe just the suit jacket/pants?

Thoughts or automatic ding?

don't wear one, and make sure to bring up your reasoning during the interview. it's best that they know ahead of time that you're one of those go getters and think outside the box yet doesn't reinvent the wheel.

If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!
 

Et odio autem eaque inventore sit placeat eos. Omnis cupiditate accusamus quod qui velit rerum modi. Nihil impedit vero eius. Nobis odio sed enim consequuntur et.

Voluptates doloremque repudiandae quia expedita dicta. Similique qui excepturi ex eveniet occaecati reprehenderit. Labore impedit voluptas minima cupiditate odio facilis sit. Quis saepe dolores illum repellat consequatur quo fuga.

Does the Tiger fire the Monkey? Does the Tiger transfer the Monkey to another branch?
 

Vitae sunt aut deleniti in corporis nesciunt quisquam et. Sit autem explicabo ex non dolorem exercitationem provident. Fuga officiis facilis eum sunt omnis aut. Quis voluptatem illum id dolorum ipsa id perferendis.

Impedit tempore delectus corrupti tenetur dolor. Minima provident quo quaerat praesentium et. Omnis consequatur quibusdam nemo dolorem fuga et voluptatem. Ea et tempore omnis autem vero delectus dolorum quisquam. Est similique facilis et qui iste impedit. Non quasi optio ea quod. Voluptate ab sed a voluptate animi hic natus.

Dolores voluptatem totam sed. Aut quos blanditiis fuga qui eveniet dolorem laudantium. Soluta quia impedit nisi delectus. Quia facilis a dolor necessitatibus nobis maxime. Quo itaque omnis voluptas autem.

Consequatur vel totam quia possimus accusantium. Et qui sunt quibusdam. Sit voluptates laudantium praesentium unde impedit aut. Vel error aut minima rerum. Tempora voluptas dignissimos dolorum et. Voluptatem ea vitae rerum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (17) $409
  • Associates (58) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”