Racer's Lounge - What do I wear to this interview?

I've got a job interview for an Engineering internship tomorrow. I think that what you wear depends on your job, and I know there are a few engineers on here who could give me their two cents.

It is with the Engineering Dept. of a local city. I would be doing some on-site work (surveying) and some office work (CAD).

I've basically got two choices seeing how little notice I got: A suit (I think I look good in it, but probably overdoing it for a 20 y/o kids going for an internship) or Khakis and a polo (I'll feel like a goddamn golfer).

Why would it be overdoing it?

no matter if the interview is for mcdonalds, k-mart, gucci internship, or to follow around trump, you wear a suit

suit......

I don't know if I would wear a suit for a part-time job at a McDonald's, but for an internship or anything competitive I would wear a suit, or black pants and a tie at the least. That you're already considering wearing a suit should be an indicator of how you should dress. As far as how the stereotype of what most engineers wear: you are dressing to get that internship, not dressing like you already have it; people who already work there and have solidified their position there can afford to dress more casually than you. Good luck!

Alright, seems unanimous. Thanks gentlemen.

I don't know if I would wear a suit for a part-time job at a McDonald's, but for an internship or anything competitive I would wear a suit, or black pants and a tie at the least. That you're already considering wearing a suit should be an indicator of how you should dress. As far as how the stereotype of what most engineers wear: you are dressing to get that internship, not dressing like you already have it; people who already work there and have solidified their position there can afford to dress more casually than you. Good luck!

Your right, I wouldn't wear a suit for the McDonalds thing, but I would wear a nice pair of pants and a tie at least.

For a municipal job: Yes, you do need to wear a suit.

You do not need to wear a suit for all engineering interviews. Depends on the circumstance (who is interviewing you).

If you had a job interview for a company that you don't know about just ask the receptionist before you go.
Or just ask the hiring manager if Business Professional attire would be appropriate.

Chicken suit.

I don't think a suit would hurt anything. You might be the only one to do so. Why not stand out?

You don't "always" have to wear a suit. That is BS. Depends on the company and the job you are applying for. The only time I'll wear a jacket is if it is cold anyways and I need a jacket. Usually a nice shirt and slacks with a tie is just fine. Wearing a suit down here in TX in the summer will have them remembering you as a sweaty dude that overdressed for the part. ha

i've always worn a suit for my interviews... been wearing that or a sports jacket w/dress pants, shirt and tie for the last 9 months lol (business professional attire where I work)

I personally always try to think of what the uniform is for that job, then I go a step above that.

But actually I have worn a pair of dress pants and shirt and a tie to every professional interview. My last one I wore dress pants, dress shirt, a tie, and nice shoes at the first interview. The second one I came directly from my current job and went back to my current job. So I just wore what I wore to my current job(nice shoes, jeans, and a polo). I got the job.

Interview seemed to go OK. One of the guys interviewing me was a car guy; hes restoring a 58 Chevy wagon, and likes to spectate at E-Town (racetrack). I couldn't really think of much to say other than yes and no to answers though. On the other hand I know the other two kids trying to get the internship, and we're all about equal in schooling and experience (or lack there of).

Thanks for the suit suggestions, seeing the place and what others were wearing it was the right choice.

Suit if you have no idea what they are like... I have seen younger guys in their early 20's interview in inappropriate clothes like a short sleeve shirt, people do notice that kind of stuff. And it's better to be over dressed than under dressed.

Suit if you have no idea what they are like... I have seen younger guys in their early 20's interview in inappropriate clothes like a short sleeve shirt, people do notice that kind of stuff. And it's better to be over dressed than under dressed.

Good advice at one point I was the officer in charge of hiring at a municipal police dept. If the person didnt have a suit on thier chances of being hired went down quite a bit. You have to at least dress on par with the other people that will be fighting you for the job. If everyone is wearing a suit you will fit in wearing one too, then dazzle them with your skills and expierence. If everyone is wearing polos and shirts and ties and you show up in a suit they will think wow he really wants this job and you will stand out in a good way. If everyone is in suits and you show up in a polo it will look like you dont care as much as the other people and your interview will probably be over before it starts. There is only one chance for a first impression and in a competive field like LE or engineering you better make it count.

Nice button up shirt,tie, and slacks, no question about it. If you have a suit it wouldn't hurt. Personally I wore a shirt and tie combo to my engineering co-op/intern interviews and I got hired to where I wanted to go. But when I graduated last year you better believe that I was wearing a suit to every interview.

I wore a suit for my position (designer) w/an engineering firm 8 years ago. It's been a great 8 years....always better to be over dressed than under...Good Luck. What company in MA?

Also... IRON and dry clean your stuff! Again I see lot of younger guys with wrinkled shirts. Unless you are interviewing for a job with a marketing firm where everyone is very fashionable, you are probably just being sloppy. Have a nice shirt that for example you take to the dry cleaner and save it for the interview. If you want some flexibility get some khaki dress pants NOT dockers, and a blazer. Houndstooth is good, good ol' dark blue is fine too. Men's Wearhouse (sp?) is a good place to get ideas, and the prices are pretty good. Also, to be honest, I prefer that folks not try to pull off the Regis look (tie is the same color as the shirt).