Interview Attire - is a tie necessary in 2018?

Hi all,

I have an interview for a corporate strategy role at an asx20 company tomorrow (Friday).

My question is, should I wear a tie, or is a smart dress shirt, and full suit sufficient in this day and age?

It’s not an investment bank, so my view is a tie is excessive in 2018… what is everyone else’s view?

UPDATE: the “wear a tie” has the win, wow - can’t believe have conservative everyone is, but then again I assume that’s probably pretty representative of expectations. Tie it is :(

Poll Options

  • 266
    Yes! Wear a tie!
  • 47
    Nah, a smart suit and dress shirt are fine

Comments

  • +1

    Ask them what the dress code is. If you can't ask them, then safest to wear a tie.

    • +59

      In 2018, I'd wear a dress and heels. Diversity quotas will guarantee you the job.

      • +1

        Blackface?

        • +7

          Only if I was worried other dudes had the same idea. And in that case, I'd go for a wheelchair. Heels are terrible for your feet anyway.

      • +2

        This is only funny if we assume your gender, which sort of takes away the main point of the joke.

      • +1

        Now that gender is considered to be based on nothing more than self assessment, gender quotas should be easier to attain, just get a few men to tick the female box and done.

  • +44

    Wear it. Better to overdress than underdress. Once you have the job you can tone it down if ties aren't required.

    • +14

      I agree, they won't mark you down for wearing a tie, but they might mark you down for not wearing one.

      • +9

        Just make sure you keep the receipt.

  • +6

    dress for success yo

  • +5

    corporate strategy role

    deff required

  • +1

    A bowtie may work as an in-between.

    • +21

      One that spins and has flashing lights will dazzle the panel.

      • +2

        Or a black and white spiral with an accompanying pocket watch.

        • +2

          Don’t forget the monocle 🧐

    • bowties only work for certain eccentric people
      eg it'll work well if you're applying as a lecturer, scientist, that sorta thing

    • +2

      smart dress shirt, and full suit

      I just assumed by default that op would be wearing this suit

    • +1

      🤣

  • +9

    Get one of those tshirts with a tie printed on it

    • You only need the front part if wearing a jacket.

  • Is a tie necessary? Probably not. Should you wear one? I would, no harm going that extra mile.

  • +1

    If you decide to wear a tie op, which knot will you be using?

  • If you want a job, then yes.

    If it comes down to two of you and you are not wearing a tie, I know who would the company choose.

    • Do you really think that’s true?

      • Absolutely.

        At the very least, it tells the interviewers you know how to dress professionally.

        The only job where I went for an interview and got it without wearing a tie was for newspaper delivery in my life.

        • +3

          That theory is sooo '98

    • +32

      What if the other person isn't wearing a tie? Would it then be a tie?

      • +6

        I assume that would trigger a tie breaker.

        • -3

          Or at the very least a c-c-c-combo breaker.

      • +1

        Then the company has lower standards :-) lol

        See above, my first job without wearing a tie.

  • +1

    top hat and tails…. i would hire u instantly 100%

  • +2

    Yes, you should wear a tie. For an interview, a tie would probably be expected. If you land the job and no one wears suits but more chinos and a button down then you can do that as well in the future.

    You aren't going to be marked down for wearing a tie.

  • You should complete the Wall St douchebag look with contrast colour, tie bar, and braces.

  • +2

    If the interview is with CBA, steal a Tie from a waiting Customer.
    Then you get to fill one of the Board vacancies.

    Bonus Point if you grab the Bic Biro from the Interview clipboard.

    • +2

      Don't forget to dig up and pillage a grave on the morning before as well

  • +1

    Wear a tie. Shows you're serious and expect to be taken seriously.

    That posh country club member who hangs out with Marge's high school friend that appeared in one episode of The Simpsons said it best: "That's the problem with first impressions, you only get to make one."

  • +1

    Wear it. To every interview, and on at least your first couple of days if successful.

    Nothing says arrogant more than someone who is too casual in an interview.
    Get a decent modern tie, not one borrowed from your Dad. And a tie clip. And learn to tie it, no Captain Clip-Ons…

    And if you get a second interview, get a different shirt and tie.

  • +7

    Casual friday. Wear a shirt with a whopper with cheese stain.

  • +11

    I feel like im in the 1920s looking at the comments on this thread.

    I think you just need to do something that makes you stand out. If you're going to wear a boring ass tie that everyone else will be wearing then dont bother.

    It really depends on who you are and the organisation that you are going to.

    • +6

      I feel like im in the 1920s

      I gather you haven't worked in the corporate world then?

      • +1

        Not sure how correct you are there diji… most of the major financial institutions now have a “dress for your day” policy.

        I work for one of the biggest companies in Australia, and I haven’t worn a tie in 6 years. I wear a suit maybe once a week if I have a meeting with external consultants.

        I think most companies are now moving that way - hence my forum post. Am I just being another boring corporate drone turning up in a tie, or am I being more confident in myself by showing up a bit more casual.

        • +11

          Once you get the job and observe the culture, blend in.

          But for an interview, tie and suit, whether it's suit up Tuesday or Tutu Thursday.
          You can prove how relaxed and casual you are afterwards…

          • +3

            @phunkyfeelone: This, my ex manager is one of the most casual guy I have seen. He has proven himself with the company so he is in the most casual attire possible most of the time.

            But when he needs to carry interviews for new comers, even he tries to look decent. I guess it is just how it is . Once you are in, you can do whatever you want as long as acceptable.

        • +2

          “dress for your day” policy.

          I wear a suit maybe once a week if I have a meeting with external consultants.

          Imagine this as your first meeting with a large institutional client and you're trying to land said client.

        • Wear a tie for interview but I was in, I never wore one but do keep one in a drawer just in case.

          But yes observe the culture.

        • Doesn't matter whether you wear a tie to work day in or day out. The question was about whether to wear one to the interview which the majority of people seem to have their head screwed on correctly thankfully.

        • Do you work for PwC?

      • +1

        I have worked at most of if not all ASX20 companies as a consultant and can tell you right now the only guys wearing a tie are newbie grads or the 50y/o lifers hanging out for redundancy. The vast majority of staff in a modern corporate workplace are not wearing ties with the only exception being Big 4 accounting firms where it seems they are stuck in the 1920s.

    • +3

      I think you just need to do something that makes you stand out.

      Hold my beer…

  • +1

    If you hadn't said interview, I'd say no. But better safe than sorry. On day to day only bankers, management consultants and lawyers still wear ties.

    • +1

      some bankers, management consultants and lawyers still wear ties.

      I am in the above list and I could count the number of times I've worn a tie to work in the last 3 years on one hand.

      But agree, would wear one to an interview.

  • +5

    This is straya. Shorts, singlet and thongs is all thats required.

    • and a can of VB to make it sweet.

  • +1

    My rule of thumb is, always match the dress of the person superior to you. In an interview situation you'll strike managers which typically don a tie.

    • +3

      Should I wear a mouthguard then, or don't they strike back?

  • +10

    Walk in wearing a tie, and if none of the male interviewers are wearing a tie, take it off in front of them and chuck it on the ground in disgust. Ensure to regularly side eye it during the interview. Don't take it when you leave.

  • Better to be over than underdressed

    • Depends on the situation. Sometimes the job requires you to be underdressed

  • +1

    Short Answer: yes, wear tie, as others have stated better to overdress than under.

    Long Answer: Look into the firms culture and industry type. E,g some sort of professional service/ corporate,e g. lawyer, banker, consultant = suit and tie.

    Advertising/marketing firm or trendy tech start up? relaxed business or even smart casual. Go to their company website and see if theres a "people" page and see what they're wearing.

    etc etc.

  • It's not about being conservative or not. It's about projecting the best image of yourself. Appearing more formal conveys the message that you're a professional and you will take the job seriously, especially being an office job.

  • +1

    I'm an IT guy, so I haven't worn a tie since High School.

    Worked for Arthur Andersen for a couple of years surrounded by stuffed shirts with ties and matching braces. One Xmas they chipped in and bought me a tie-rack. I had the last laugh though - they went bankrupt a year or so later. I still have that tie rack

  • ties are a throwback to medieval days…not required IMHO..

  • +2

    how did you go in your interview? what was your final decision?

    if your interviewer(s) were wearing ties and so were you, then its your day.

    • ^^^^THIS^^^^

    • +3

      Great interview. Wore a tie.

      I turned up, half the people in the building were in jean/chino and t-shirts, the other half had a button up shirt. I was the only person in sight wearing a tie… haha

      Interviewer was wearing chinos and a checkered button up shirt.

      Will wait to hear back on whether the tie lost me the job :)

      • +1

        great to hear. theyre probably calling out for more professional people.

      • I am guessing you came in on Friday. Casual Friday. I had that moment too when I got my last job. In that case, I was the only one wearing suit and tie.

        • +1

          Same here. Was interviewed by two women who were wearing floral skirts and sleeveless shirts on casual friday while i looked like a PIMP walking next to them in my blue suit.

      • +1

        That's a good thing, man.

        The others sound like slackers.

      • Good luck. Sounds like a great place to work.

  • +3

    A tie 'shouldn't be' a requirement yet as with much BS involved in & around interviews, in a corporate world it's easier to go in there with a tie & then remove it than to not have one & be odd one out.
    A legitimate question to ask of the company is what is the dress code if you are unsure.
    I personally have always gone with more dressy than not as a safer option for all stages of intwrviews—all my employers have been corporate which removes too much variance.

    Even at a "fancy start up" that stated they are a 'casual company' and stated "wear what you feel comfortable in" the persons interviewing me were dressed smartly & I went with a suit as I was comfortable & then openly discussed my choice of attire as an ice breaker..

    Better to look smartly dressed than under dressed as you want to focus on task at hand of knocking them down with your awesome in the interview versus ruing & expending brain space on your chosen attire

    Best of luck 🤞 💪

  • +11

    I'm a recruiter - I don't like people asking me what the dress code - its a job interview and it's kind of expected that you want to make a good impression. If you're still tossing up, have a look at their annual report or marketing photos. The company I work for don't like ties so you can see in the annual report that none of our big wigs are wearing a tie. Good luck the with interview!

    • Ha. Spoken like someone who actually knows what they’re talking about.

    • -1

      ^This.

      -Goes for corporate strategy role.

      -Can't figure out basic strategy for interview.

      • Easy tiger, at least 30% of strategy is research and analytics…

        • The other 80% is knowing the numbers.

    • This.

      i work for a large corporate, and ties went out at least 4 years ago. only in the most formal of settings do they appear (corporate presentations with photographers etc). day to day you would be hard pressed to see them

  • Yup the general rule is to overdress than underdress. Although a tie is not a requirement on a normal work day these days, you'd want to look as sharp as possible when meeting your potential hirers for the first time. Trust me, first impressions count more than you'd think, so dress to impress.

  • Good luck for the interview!

  • Always wear a suit and tie to a professional role.

  • I work for a large multi-national mining company with friends/family working for other large multi-national mining and energy companies.

    To answer your question: it really depends on the field you're applying for.

    Mining Geoscience, Surveying etc.: 100% NO suit jacket and tie.
    Energy Geoscience: doesn't matter.
    Mining/Energy Engineering: doesn't matter.
    Mining/Energy Finance, Legal etc.:100% YES suit jacket and tie.

    • Mine site enviros?

      • Doesn't matter IMO.

  • It largely depends on the tier of job you're going for I think…

    Barista at McJoJo's Coffee and Cakes? No tie required.

    Anything in sales, reception etc through to corporate level positions? Tie or bindle - pick one.

  • -1

    The tie makes up part of the 'picture'. So if your picture is someone who is confident but cocky, who knows their stuff, who can problem solve but also realise the limits of their expertise and ask for help when necessary, and you project that in the interview - a tie or no tie will just become part of that. If you come off as someone who doesn't give a stuff, or someone who is who isn't going to get along with everyone else, then no tie will definitely be part of that picture.

    If, like all of us, you're somewhere in the middle of that, just wear the tie, it might be conservative but it shows you're willing to do stupid cr*p because that's how much you want the job.

    And don't even get me started on the stockings 'requirement' for women 🙄

    • Oops meant 'confident but not cocky'.

  • First impressions matter - yes!

  • How did it go? I hope you get the job!

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