Q: I have an interview for a well-known IT social media giant, but I’m not sure how to dress for the interview? I know the office environment is casual. What’s appropriate? (DR, email).

A: This is a very interesting question. As we know, many people working in the IT/social media sectors don’t go with the whole suit/suit and tie garb. It tends to be a casual dressing arena, writes Stephanie MacKinnon, Career Coach, Sli Nua Careers.

However, the interview is a different animal. You have not yet joined their society, so to speak, and this is a formal, professional engagement that you must take seriously by dressing in the aforementioned suit/suit and tie.

In the absence of an instruction from the company that the interview dress is casual, I would not take chances. You have often heard that we frequently regret dressing down but rarely regret dressing up.

So get your best clobber on and make a good impression. And, then, focus completely on knowing what they are looking for and how you can bring value to the role.

You are still being weighed up and dressing up shows that you are keen about the job, you have taken your preparation seriously and you want to make a good impression.

The same applies for mechanics going for job interviews. Mechanics don’t wear a suit every day, but they shouldn’t wear overalls to interviews. It’s a simple enough rule and, in almost all cases, I would live by it.

Stephanie MacKinnon is a Career Coach with Sli Nua Careers.

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