On being a suit

I recently read this bit about how wearing a suit to an interview is never a wrong choice, and I’ve got to say I agree wholeheartedly. Unless you work in California. In the technology industry. Well, unless you work in California or you work in the technology industry. But not if you are interviewing at IBM, of course.

I’ve been in the technology industry for about 20 years now and seen it go from suit-and-tie to a much more casual atmosphere — at least, out here on the West Coast. So much so that I’ve actually been told to take my jacket and tie off before walking into an interview. Choosing your attire is not as simple as assuming a suit will always go over well. In my case, as a manager to software development teams, I’m faced with the tricky circumstance of being able to relate to, and not intimidate or distance myself from, the potential team that will report to me and at the same time show that I am professional and can relate to upper management.

So, I don’t want to “be a suit.” My team, consisting of technical staff and programmers that definitely do not respect a suit, will see me as non-technical and a potential threat. Of course I need to dress well so I typically choose a professional but casual look. Dress slacks and shoes, often a dress shirt (my favorite being a sharp blue with white cuff) and a black tee underneath — sometimes perhaps a simple but professional turtle neck or V-neck sweater if the weather mandates. This is the typical attire of West Coaster technology in the United States, at least — well, like I said, not so much at IBM, or TRW or well, most of the banking industry. So you should probably ask someone before you show up — “what is appropriate dress for my interview?” Sometimes, you might be surprised to hear “leave the suit at home, this is a casual environment.” Go ahead and leave it at home, but dress professionally.