Business Casual for interview attire?

[CC2012]

Hi,

I have an upcoming interview for an Immunology PhD program and was told that "Business Casual for attire is fine for the day of the interviews."

Should I still wear the suit I was planning on or does this mean I should wear slacks and a cardigan and I can forgo the heels?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Edited January 17, 2012 by CC2012

[goldenbuff]

I can't necessarily vouch for the ladies, but when I interviewed around a few years ago, I saw a total of one guy wearing a suit. I ended up going with some nice pants and a shirt and tie with a nice sweater over it. That seemed to fit in pretty well with the atmosphere both places I interviewed. Most of the females were wearing a skirt or slacks. I don't remember seeing any suits on them.

[Business2Biology]

Definitely NOT the suit!

It may be a fabulous suit, but you will be over-dressed relative to everyone else present (interviewees and interviewers). This may result in 1) you feeling less comfortable, physically and mentally, and 2) you being perceived (albeit very subtly) as "not fitting in" with the group.

Given the guidance they have provided of "business casual", slacks or skirt with nice blouse, cardigan, etc are appropriate. Heels, flats, boots, etc just as long as no toes are showing!

[risingsun11801]

I had 1 interview so far and only one guy was wearing an actual suit. Most girls wore slacks and a blazer, but not a matching suit. I wore boots with a slight heel because it was cold, and saw others wearing flats as well. If you're going on a tour, there will be a lot of walking, and now is not the time to wear heels unless you wear them all the time.

Oh, I should mention that our interview day was "Business dress" and still suits weren't very prevalent. The day before was business casual, and all the females wore sweaters/cardigans I think.

[bluebla]

How about "casual" (specifically for girls, but guys are welcome to weigh in as well! )? I'm hesitant to show up in jeans and a t-shirt, but I don't want to be the prissy over-dressed one either...

Thanks!

Edited January 19, 2012 by bluebla

[Pitangus]

How about "casual" (specifically for girls, but guys are welcome to weigh in as well! )? I'm hesitant to show up in jeans and a t-shirt, but I don't want to be the prissy over-dressed one either...

Thanks!

I was told casual for my visit to MSU, so I'll probably wear either non-jean pants or just non-blue denim and some nice dark-colored sweaters.

My POI specifically mentioned boots and warm weather clothes, so for shoes then I'd wear my cold-weather boots (not the giant rubber snow stomper kind - more like some of the more stylish Bare Traps boots, if you're familiar with the brand). They are warm, comfortable, and easy to whip on and off in the airport, which is important to me because I hate holding up the line at the security check. =P

I'll probably bring a pair of dressier slacks and shoes in case, but I don't intend on wearing them unless I see everyone else in full-out business gear.

But I'm in ecology, which from what I've seen is less "businessy" in dress than other fields, even within the biosciences.

[AutumnLover]

How about "casual" (specifically for girls, but guys are welcome to weigh in as well! )? I'm hesitant to show up in jeans and a t-shirt, but I don't want to be the prissy over-dressed one either...

Thanks!

For my casual interview (in boston) I was going to wear nice tall boots(mid-calf), with dark jeans, a shirt and a biege blazer. The shirt is nice enough that I can take off the blazer if i'm feeling overdressed, but still looks good underneath.

[hwbulls]

I've been stressing about this today... I was told "business casual to business" would be appropriate. I think I'm going with a white button-up under a colored cable knit sweater, black pants, and flats - then when we go into the cold Baltimore outdoors I'll wear a scarf and a pea coat.

[eco_env]

But I'm in ecology, which from what I've seen is less "businessy" in dress than other fields, even within the biosciences.

as an ecologist I find this whole discusion a little absurd. The people interviewing you are likely to be wearing sandals, faded jeans, and a Hawaiian shirt if you are an ecologist .

[wwellington]

I was told casual for my visit to MSU, so I'll probably wear either non-jean pants or just non-blue denim and some nice dark-colored sweaters.

...

I'll probably bring a pair of dressier slacks and shoes in case, but I don't intend on wearing them unless I see everyone else in full-out business gear.

But I'm in ecology, which from what I've seen is less "businessy" in dress than other fields, even within the biosciences.

You're right on target, anyone who shows up in a suit (or even a blazer) will NOT be the norm.

[Pitangus]

You're right on target, anyone who shows up in a suit (or even a blazer) will NOT be the norm.

Heheh, thank you.

I'll admit I tend to dress a little "nice casual" most of the time anyways (even in undergrad when everyone else was wearing sweatpants and Uggs), but I am really not a fan of blazers and twinsets and what typically qualifies as "business" for females...

as an ecologist I find this whole discusion a little absurd. The people interviewing you are likely to be wearing sandals, faded jeans, and a Hawaiian shirt if you are an ecologist .

I am surprised some bio departments are asking for legit business attire; are the faculty really going to be dressed like that as well?

I suppose the chem department at my undergrad always dressed a little businessy, so maybe it's a lab science thing, I don't know...

[spew]

I'm a guy but I may be able to offer some advice:

I am surprised some bio departments are asking for legit business attire; are the faculty really going to be dressed like that as well?

Very immature thinking here. Of course the faculty won't be dressed up in fancy suits but that's not the point at all. The point is that you need to show them that you want to impress them and that you cared enough to put on your best. Dressing down only shows the opposite - even if you didn't mean it at all. You can never be too overdressed for an interview. Everybody knows that when you walk in on the first day of the job you won't actually be dressed like that. Think it's trying too hard? Think again. There are hundreds of applicants who want to be in your spot. Show it.

I'm guessing you don't have a lot of experience with interviews. I always wear a suit and there are only 2 interviews (out of maybe 8) in my whole life that I've had where I didn't get the job. In fact on my tour/interview of my last research job, I casually met another supervisor in the hallway and she gave me a thumbs up and said "that's good interview attire."

My point: The appropriateness of formal business attire for an interview should not depend on what field you are in. If you are interviewing for a janitor position, I would still recommend a suit. It's just 100% tactful - It always has been and always will be! Now in the end, it probably doesn't matter: in no way is it a deal breaker. But for purposes of this discussion, to belittle a suit and say it's overkill is absolutely ridiculous.

Edited January 20, 2012 by spew

[eponine10642]

I'm a guy but I may be able to offer some advice:

Very immature thinking here. Of course the faculty won't be dressed up in fancy suits but that's not the point at all. The point is that you need to show them that you want to impress them and that you cared enough to put on your best. Dressing down only shows the opposite - even if you didn't mean it at all. You can never be too overdressed for an interview. Everybody knows that when you walk in on the first day of the job you won't actually be dressed like that, enough that you care. Think it's trying too hard? Think again. There are hundreds of applicants who want to be in your spot. Show it.

I'm guessing you don't have a lot of experience with interviews. I always wear a suit and there are only 2 interviews (out of maybe 8) in my whole life that I've had where I didn't get the job. In fact on my tour/interview of my last research job, I casually met another supervisor in the hallway and she gave me a thumbs up and said "that's good interview attire."

My point: The appropriateness of formal business attire for an interview should not depend on what field you are in. If you are interviewing for a janitor position, I would still recommend a suit. It's just 100% tactful - It always has been and always will be! Now in the end, it probably doesn't matter: in no way is it a deal breaker. But for purposes of this discussion, to belittle a suit and say it's overkill is absolutely ridiculous.

I like this post... this has always been what I've been told by my parents/anyone with significant job experience. What the people you're interviewing with are wearing has ZERO impact on what you should be wearing... you're the one interviewing, you're the one trying to impress them -- not the other way around.

On the other hand, I'm not surprised to hear that most interviewees dress casually. I mean, most of us don't have a ton a job experience, and a significant portion are coming straight from college. Most prospective grad students simply don't have enough experience with interviewing to know that you're expected to dress up, not to dress like you were already admitted.

[Pitangus]

I wore a suit to a job interview at a CPA office when I was in high school. If you're talking about a generic hypothetical job interview, then yes, the default should be to wear a suit.

But I'm not convinced recruitment events for graduate school are necessarily the same as that hypothetical.

From what I've read on these boards and elsewhere, fit is nearly everything in graduate admissions. To me, then, dressing to match the atmosphere of the recruitment event is another way of showing fit. So when the POI with whom I will be meeting specifically tells me the event is casual and I should not wear a suit, then that's the advice I'm going to follow.

I just thought it was curious that some departments/programs stress business while others stress casual, which is why I wondered whether it had to do with how the department faculty dresses.

Edited January 20, 2012 by Pitangus

[spew]

Follow whatever dress code they tell you. My post was not directed towards the OP or anyone in particular - in fact, don't wear the suit because they told you it's business casual. But somewhere in the middle of this thread someone said:

I should mention that our interview day was "Business dress" and still suits weren't very prevalent.

and then everybody seemed to start to agree suits would be unnecessary. Who cares what's "prevalent." They said "Business dress" and we should be fortunate that they told us anything. Take their advice and move on.

Generally...

Business attire = suit and tie

Business casual attire = dress pants/khaki's and dress shirt or blouse and nice shoes with optional sweater/blazer/sportscoat (no tie necessary)

This stuff is all over the web. I'm not making any of it up.

Edited January 20, 2012 by spew

[Pitangus]

My post was not directed towards the OP or anyone in particular

Your post quoted me in particular, which is why I responded.

I was surprised that one interview specified "business casual to business" only because it was yet another example of the variation in specifications, even within this thread alone.

I agree that you should dress up for a "business" event.

I just wondered if there was some connection between type of department and the typical requested attire for their interviews.

[spew]

Your post quoted me in particular, which is why I responded.

Haha, well played.

"Business casual to business" is ambiguous indeed. In that case I'd go with whatever you're most comfortable in.

I just wondered if there was some connection between type of department and the typical requested attire for their interviews.

There probably is but it's a moot point. Either you take their advice or if they don't specify, then suit it up. There should be no guesswork either way.

[hwbulls]

"Business casual to business" is ambiguous indeed. In that case I'd go with whatever you're most comfortable in.

Yes, that's why I was stressing - super ambiguous. Black cardigan + nice buttonup + scarf + black pants + flats it is... I think. Then I'll blend in enough but not be forced to buy a suit.

[coonskee]

Am currently at an interview weekend (biology), and yesterday (interview day), females were in a wide range of attire. My roommate was in a skirtsuit+button-down (about as business as you cqn go) and did not look out of place, but the girl that dressed the most casually did. Guys were in a wide range of business casual to business and I saw no outliers on either end of the formality scale. The only thing we were told about dress code was not to wear jeans or sneakers.

I know that this isn't super-helpful but I think it definitely leads me to second a previous poster's point of "you can never be overdressed for an interview". I mean, don't wear ball gowns and tuxes, but you know what I mean.

[wwellington]

I think it depends on what area of biology. You can absolutely be overdressed for a grad school interview in EEB.

[aberrant]

any recommendations (business casual attire) for guys? i've been told (by the director) that jeans are not allowed regardless of the color.

[dhm0219]

I generally consider business casual to be, at least, khakis with a belt, decent leather shoes, and a dress shirt. A jacket can't hurt, but probably not necessary. Tie not necessary, but again, wouldn't hurt either.

[Eigen]

Outside of disciplines with a heavy fieldwork influence, my advice for guys would be to just get and wear a suit. It's the standard, it's what most visiting faculty and grad students wear. You'll be expected to have one and wear it at conferences anyway, so it's a good time to pick one up if you don't have one already.

If you want to be a bit more casual, then go with a more casual cut suit- tweed or houndstooth. If you want something more generic, just wear a standard black suit.

Basically, echoing what others have said, you can (almost) never be overdressed for an interview. We're having people come through for visits now, and the vast majority are wearing suits or close to it. Even a lot of the faculty dress up a bit more than usual on these days. You want to put your best foot forward, and you aren't going to come across as too proper by wearing a suit, it's standard business attire.

To the OP: granted, I'm only familiar with one Immunology program (at our med school), but the majority of the faculty I've met and seen from that program dress pretty nicely most of the time. I doubt you'll feel hugely overdressed in a suit.

I don't think you'd be badly off wearing slacks/dress shoes/belt/dress shirt, but as was mentioned, adding the tie and jacket won't hurt at all. And you can always take them off through the day if you feel like it.

[ryanmor]

Probably best to just email your POI(s) and current grad students in the program. I did this for the two prospective student weekends I have coming up- both schools are top 15 in my field- one program asks for strict-casual, the other is more dressy.

[eco_env]

The 2 most important rules for people who would be working in a lab are: 1. closed toe shoes 2. long hair should be out of the way. You need to look ready to work in the lab safely. or so I've heard.