What NOT to Wear

Elin

So I'm job hunting. I just scheduled an interview tomorrow and I'm not sure what to wear for this one. I've previously always worked customer service/call centers/office to date. Usually for an interview I wear slacks/cami/sweater combo (I'm female), and it works. This time however it's a manufacturing job. The person that scheduled the interview specifically said to "feel free to dress casually, it's pretty informal."

What does this mean. Jeans and a collared Polo? Jeans and a button up with a cami under it? Slacks still? I don't want to over dress and then make it look like I didn't listen but I don't want to be sloppy looking for an interview either?

Hahnsoo1

I'd avoid wearing any logos or designs (like you would typically find on a T-shirt), as these can give an interviewer a wrong first impression. For the casual clothing thing, jeans (no holes) and a polo would be acceptable, especially if it's a manufacturing job. When asked to dress casually, you can (and should) still look nice. I typically wear khakis and a polo shirt.

Kyougu

Yeah, Khakis and a colored polo would be fine

Elin

I feel like it's a trap haha. I don't actually own any khakis, and I'm pretty broke right now. I own dress slacks and I own dark blue jeans, newer, not faded or holey.

Xaquin

Since it's an interview I'd go with the slacks personally.

Let them tell you to wear jeans when you show up monday!

best of luck!

wrong_button

I'd go with dress slacks regardless. If you have the choice to play over or play under, play over.
They know you're there for an interview, so you certainly wouldn't be the first person that overdressed for one.

Creagan

I'd go with the slacks, but dress them down. "Casual" closed-toed shoes that aren't sneakers, and a shirt that could go either way. I don't know how long your hair is, but I wouldn't do anything "business" with it, like a bun or a french twist. Half-up or down and nicely styled will make whatever you wear seem more casual.

Tox

IANA....HR?

As a general rule two things you should never wear to a job interview: sneakers, jeans.

Given that it's a manufacturing job, I'd probably skip the heels as well, and opt for practical flats.

Also apparently a rather big workplace taboo for women is showing too much shoulder. Like, spaghetti strap tops are apparently looked down (giggity) upon.

edit: There's a lot of resources to be had by just googling "business casual fashion"

azith28

telling you to dress casual for an interview is a trap. dress nice.

Nija

How did the interview go? What did you end up wearing?

Elin

It was just a temp to hire agency that worked with a specific plant, so I have to wait until they have openings. I just went with dark jeans and a Polo. I know it isn't recommended but it's what I had and I felt like if I had went dressy it would have looked like I didn't pay attention to what she said on the phone. I'm trying to get out of my wheelhouse with jobs so it's taking a little longer than I'm used to with respect to job hunting.

Tox

Oooooh, yeah temp agencies aren't real interviews. By which I mean they always actively tell you not to dress up, and you actually genuinely do not have to dress up super nice. Like if I go to meet with a temp recruiter, it's usually khakis and a button down, no tie, sleeves rolled up type stuff.