[72andsunny]

My father would kill me if he knew I was not wearing a suit.

But I keep hearing about how casual things are in NZ...and I would rather not take a suit on the plane if it isn't required.

So what is standard attire for a job interview in either health care or academia?

Thanks,

Mike

[JandM]

Here are some comments about interview rig from old threads. What it seems to boil down to is that Kiwis can be casual when working, but that it pays not to take an interview casually.

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-10384.html
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=294315
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-11524.html

[Bozeman]

From someone who has interviewed many people over the years, it is much better to be over than under-dressed. How you dress for the interview may very well be taken as and indication of how serious you are about the job. At the same time, you don't want to be wearing a suit when everyone else is wearing jeans and polos.

I suggest you ask. Maybe not the person with whom you will be interviewing but perhaps the person that answers the phone at the place you are applying. They will have a good ideas as to what is appropriate.

[Kalla]

I agree

OH had a video interview and everyone said open neck shirt, no suit etc etc. Against all this advice OH wore a suit because he has ALWAYS worn a suit to important events like interviews etc. I don't know if it made the difference or not, but he must have impressed them because he got the job.

I personally think, it's better to be overdressed. In my opinion, it shows you are taking it seriously and that you mean business.

[dusk]

*nods* even though the dress code generally at work here is fairly casual I would stil;l advise dressing up for the interview - you can always take the jacket off in the interview to relax the look a bit, but you can't really do much to smarten up once you're there ;)

[Jon-and-Lou]

Personnally, I dressed smart - trouser suit.

As a result, I was able to concentrate on being interviewed, and not worrying about whether I'd worn a smart enough outfit. There is definately something to be said that you act how you feel ... if you feel good, you act more confident.

and let's be honest .. if you were interviewing someone, would you mark them down for wearing smart atire? No! But if there came, looking a tad scruffy? I'd perhaps take that as a reflection on their attitude .. rightly or wrongly, but first impressions really do count.

[kzn2nz]

I wore a long sleeve shirt with a tie, formal trousers, and a smart jacket. it paid off too. I now wear safety boots, denim jeans and a golf shirt to work most days, and shorts in summer. Casual is definitely the Kiwi way, but not in an interview situation. A recent, decent haircut can't hurt either!

[Kanga]

Yep, smart attire I reckon. Mental health is notorious for 'casual' dress but interviews are the time to show you mean business.

[hosebergine]

short hair, sharp suit, shiny shoes, shades

[sekilau]

I have similar believe: don't make dressing issue be the reason for me on losing an employment opportunity.

Personnally, I dressed smart - trouser suit.

As a result, I was able to concentrate on being interviewed, and not worrying about whether I'd worn a smart enough outfit. There is definately something to be said that you act how you feel ... if you feel good, you act more confident.

and let's be honest .. if you were interviewing someone, would you mark them down for wearing smart atire? No! But if there came, looking a tad scruffy? I'd perhaps take that as a reflection on their attitude .. rightly or wrongly, but first impressions really do count.

[tim&em]

I agree - a suit is the way to go for interviews.

[pete mc]

White shirt, tie (not a "funny" one), clean black shoes, neat haircut, pressed trousers, showered, shaved and deodourised. I 've always tarted myself up even when applying for deadend jobs. Check their website and try to get a couple of questions sorted in case they ask. Don't be over familiar, be respectful and polite. And remember- they want an employee as much as you want a job.

[bobo]

If you go casual in maybe right or it maybe wrong. A suit is never wrong.

[James 1077]

Always wear a suit - even if you will never wear one for the job.

My previous job had a "no tie" policy - ties weren't allowed on the premises! I knew this, but still turned up in a suit and tie and simply took the tie off when met at reception by the interviewer. It was odd wearing a three piece suit without the tie but definitely worth it as I got the job.

It shows that you care about the job enough to make an effort to dress smartly for the interview.

[ricky1981]

I just asked casually by phone or email what the office dress code was and then went for the same level or a bit smarter. My boss told me I wouldn't have got my new job if I'd worn a suit so it pays to ask!

[M-Squared]

I just asked casually by phone or email what the office dress code was and then went for the same level or a bit smarter. My boss told me I wouldn't have got my new job if I'd worn a suit so it pays to ask!

That's pretty unusual, though, wouldn't you say?

[Wonderbob]

That's pretty unusual, though, wouldn't you say?

As an employing manager I would agree entirely. I expect people to make an effort when attending interviews, so dressing the best you can afford to is a good idea. Oh and another thing that gets on my nerves is people who can't turn up on time. One guy recently turned up 5 mins late for the first interview, was lucky enough to get a second interview and then blew it completely by turning up 7 mins late for his second interview - he was history....It's not rocket science, turn up 5 mins early to Reception and everyone is happy..........Oh and if you own a suit, wear it.

[victoria24]

Make sure you always wear spangly underpants :nice1

[Wonderbob]

Make sure you always wear spangly underpants :nice1

Yup, that'll do it every time, and also lucky socks are good! Don't forget our first America's cup victory all came down to the socks!

[ricky1981]

That's pretty unusual, though, wouldn't you say?

Totally, it was the only interview I didn't wear a suit for but it was also the job I wanted the most so I'm glad I asked.

As others have said, turn up 5 minutes early, be friendly to everyone you meet and an email afterwards to say thanks and maybe cover any areas you want to highlight (strengths you now feel are relevant but didn't cover in your CV perhaps?).

Good luck to everyone :)

[Trendynana]

My daughter wore her pyjamas for her interview with 3 people. She was interviewed on the phone in the UK at 10.30pm and they were in NZ.

Good job they didn't use Skype!!

PS - she got the job but her ear nearly fell off as she had been pressing the phone to it for nearly an hour and stopped the blood circulation!!

Good luck.

[Sovenok]

It was odd wearing a three piece suit without the tie but definitely worth it as I got the job.

:laugh:laugh:laugh

If you are a Kiwi, could you explain why Kiwis don't dress up on workdays? Is it taken for granted wearing casual clothes even if you are a white collar, what are the reasons, consepts, opinions of it?