Heather Gillbanks ⋅ Houston, TX General Electric ⋅ 26 years experience

Depends what type of financial position. If you are applying for an investment banker role, then go hang out in the lobby of the building (if possible) or outside if not. Some of those firms have almost a uniform - but each firm is slightly different in what they wear.

If you are applying for an accounting-type position at a regular company, most people will consider "black suits are for funerals" - so go with the grey.

Cufflinks should be worn with a shirt with French cuffs, but they should not be noticeable. I give women the same advice - earrings should be worn, but not distracting.

You can't go wrong with a white shirt, esp if you can't do recon before your interview, to see if it is a colored-shirt kind of place. Then again, if you are a colored-shirt kind of guy, will you be happy in a white-shirt kind of place?

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Dress like a President or Secretary of State.
Navy blue suit. Conservative tie. Dress shoes.

Perhaps one exception: carry a professional attache case or computer bag, as well as a notepad and pen.

http://www.fins.com/Finance/Articles/SB128292781256931917/What-to-Wear-to-a-Finance-Interview

e.g.
http://www.havelshouseofhistory.com/autographsofsecretariesofstate4.htm

http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID2133/images/479px-Hillary_Clinton_official_Secretary_of_State_portrait_crop.jpg

http://stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com/2008/12/05/forget-the-cabinet-barack-obama-chooses-his-inaugural-tuxedo/

http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/george-w-bush/former-president-bush-addresses-wind-conference/

Ben C ⋅ New York, NY Hedge Fund ⋅ 2 years experience

Keir,

Is your mentor in finance? If he/she is, when you're on a site visit, look around for suggested attire. Just from my experience with informational and formal interviews, I go with charcoal grey suit or navy, light blue shirt, and no solid ties, but ultimately you have to decide what's combination makes you feel like a million bucks. IMO, name brands don't mean much, a good tailor does. Good luck with your interview!

Michael Sabato ⋅ U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal ⋅ 4 years served

My general rule is to dress one "level" above the position I am interviewing for but never less than a suit. When it comes down to it, the color of your shirt, tie, and suit have a lot less to do with the hiring process than the fact that you are wearing all of them. The color of your shirt and tie you wear can be a good way to express your personality while showing that you understand how to be professional at the same time. Stay away from anything that could be considered inappropriate such as tobacco or alcohol related themed ties. I have worn ties that range from Sesame Street and Loony Tunes characters to M&Ms. If you have a tie that can be related to the business you are interviewing for that will work too (i.e. wear a tie with money on it to a bank interview.) If you are at all questioning what you are wearing then play it safe and go conservative. Cuff links are ALWAYS acceptable in a professional working environment. If you want to be successful then you need to be able to dress the part. Don't sacrifice your personality in order to get a job because if you have to do that, chances are you won't like where you are working.

Omar Sultan ⋅ Elk Grove, CA Cisco ⋅ 25 years experience

What is appropriate is going vary by where the company is - NY has a different look than LA. A decent suit is good baseline, but try and get a feel or the company's culture--maybe visit the company's website and see how the company officers are dressed.

Above all, dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident--if you nail that, folks will not remember what you wore.

Good luck with you interview.

Jordie Kern ⋅ Goldens Bridge, NY Attababy Jobs ⋅ 26 years experience

Be conservative and wear your best suit. Mirror what the top officers in the company wear. Don't skimp on your clothing. Your first impression is very important.

Jay Lightfoot ⋅ Herndon, VA ⋅ 20 years experience

Keir,

As you can tell - there are many opinions to this question although you see the common threads (do your homework; make sure the suit fits and everything matches, etc). I also believe that you need to be comfortable and your clothes need to compliment you. For example: I am relatively fair skinned with light hair - thus yellow ties do not work well for me (if in double ask your wife or girlfriend - they will tell you).

I also write a blog (www.commonsales.wordpress.com) - towards the "bottom" there is an entry from Sept 23, 2013 named "how to dress". These are some "tricks" I have learned in 20+ years of sales (and remember - an interview is a sales opportunity).

Another thing to ponder: do some research on the people who are interviewing you (facebook and linkedin are GREAT). Do they have any interesting hobbies or interest? I once took a batch of homemade dog cookies (our dog has allergies so it is easier to make them for him) to an interview because I knew one of the decision makers was very active with the local shelter (she later told me that was one of the her best interviews. Was it me or the cookies??? I don't care!!!!).

Thus, while clothes are important - do not focus on them and exclude other important facets.

Good luck!!!!

Craig Bush ⋅ Boston, MA IBM ⋅ 11 years experience

Black suit with pin stripes.

Cliff Balzer ⋅ New Port Richey, FL JPMorgan Chase ⋅ 40 years experience

First impression is key, as others have noted. Wear a suit and tie, period. If you do, there is NO chance you will offend anyone or make a negative impression. Wear a white shirt and a tie that is conservative (stripes or subtle pattern) with muted colors. Shirt cuffs should extend about 1 inch beyond your suit jacket sleeve, pants should have a 'break' at the shoe line and have cuffs. Pleated slacks are fine.

TANYA AKINS CANE ⋅ San Antonio, TX U.S. Air Force, Master Sergeant ⋅ 20 years served

The first impression you make on a potential employer is the most important one. Their first judgment during your interviewer is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. It is important to dress professionally for all job interviews, regardless of the work environment.

Tyler Young ⋅ Lovelady, TX Modern Woodmen of America ⋅ 4 years experience

I am a managing partner for a financial services organization, my main job is recruiting. It drives me crazy to see someone in a nice suit and wear a dark tie that seems to blend in. I prefer someone wear something that stands out.

David Moore ⋅ Spokane, WA Realtime Associates ⋅ 35 years experience

I was in the "headhunting" business for over 25 years. My advice to interviewees is to obtain a copy of the annual report of whatever organization you are interviewing and dress like the head (President) of that organization. The annual report also can provide you with valuable information about the organization that will be useful when you interview for a position.

Good luck...

Gerard DeMare ⋅ Metairie, LA ⋅ 22 years experience

Do some recon on the office and get a general feel for how they interact. Grey on the suit and I would skip the links! God bless bro!

Wendy Keenly ⋅ Braintree, MA Agassiz Baldwin Community Center ⋅ 1 years experience

I have worked with the financial services community for over 20 years. For some years (2000-2010) I found an environment where business casual dress was the norm. However before and since then the trend has gone back to formal business dress. This has been especially true with all the oversight now implemented within the financial industry. Male attire is generally dark blue or gray suits, plain color or pinstripes are the best choice. Dress shirt, light color or white and a tie are the best. Tie should be tasteful with small print design. My advice is to spend money on the tie, the most impressive are vivid colors but emphasis on small tasteful design (no large stripes or loud gaudy or cheap material).

Lee Minton ⋅ Sparta, NJ U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Private First ⋅ 1 years served

I have been in the money management business for 43 years. For an interview (or a meeting with clients), I would wear a medium gray suit, starched white shirt ( no button down), conservative yellow print tie, brown straight tip shoes and pocket square. You want to look right but not distract from your message.

Andrew Sperfslage ⋅ Decatur, GA Coca-Cola ⋅ 10 years experience

Dark Suit and Tie....

A really great piece of advice I pnce read: You have very little to gain by ever 'dressing down'

Good luck,
Andy

Cedric Cook ⋅ Richmond, TX IBM ⋅ 19 years experience

While it depends on the role, my general rule is to wear dark suits with light-blue or White shirt with a Red, Gold or Silver tie... Note that the tie can have design but nothing provocative. I must admit that I generally wear argyle socks with a fancy pattern just for my comfort :-) .

Regards,

Cedric

Michael Pusatera ⋅ Lincolnshire, IL Office Depot, Inc. ⋅ 32 years experience

I would wear conservative but very professional attire meaning white or light blue shirt and matching tie with a grey/charcoal, navy or black suit. Just as important is making sure that your suit (not sport coat and slacks) is pressed and clean and that your dress shoes are polished. This seems like simple advice but you would be amazed how few applicants actually pay close attention to this when interviewing.

Good luck and thanks for your service!

Brian Murphy ⋅ San Francisco, CA U.S. Marine Corps, Captain ⋅ 9 years served

Keir,
The financial services institution is conservative as a whole, so go with conservative suit,shirt & tie. Don't take someone's advice mentioned above about wearing a tie with dollar signs on it. You'll come across as a phony wannabe Gordon Gekko and be laughed at behind your back. Dark suit, white shirt, basic tie. Easy.

Mardon Navalta ⋅ Dallas, TX Farmers Insurance Group ⋅ 10 years experience

I've worked as a stock analyst, broker, finance, investment banker over 15 years. For a financial service position, dress like a banker. A quality conservative dark blue suit, simple tie(never loud) and a white shirt. If you buy a suit off the rack, make sure the suit is tailored-fit. You can wear simple cuff links, but never flashy.

Heather Markell ⋅ Oak Park, IL AECOM ⋅ 11 years experience

To add to this, of course be yourself.

After working in investment services for years I realized that people outside the industry failed to see the nuanced differences in the way people dressed. Everyone thought black suit, white shirt, red tie. That was really not the case. Wear what makes you feel confident, and comfortable. Fit goes a long way to making you feel comfortable in a suit. If you fidget in it everyone will see that.

Come prepared to take notes, with a nice pen and pad folio, or iPad with a nice stylus. An attaché is appropriate, as you will likely receive paperwork. That would also allow you to bring copies of your CV or resume, as many interviewers are hauled in at the last second totally unprepared.

Your suit appearance (aside from fitting you well) is not as important as how you behave in it.

If you really want to connect with people, wear a tie clip with something meaningful to you on it, or wear your class ring, or the watch you received as an award. These things often spark conversations, the suit, not so much.

Best of luck!

Alphonse (a.k.a, Al) Telese ⋅ Frisco, TX U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel ⋅ 32 years served

Interesting readings above and I will have to say that during any interview you need to be yourself and not someone else! A sharpe, well tailored suite is the way to go. It can be a solid or a small pattern. Dark colors are what I wear usually dark browns, or greys or charcoal, and or even blues. Spend the money on a good well-made suit somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 to $600 instead of something off the rack from JC Penney's and the like. You will get mileage and the wear from it in the long run but more important... the suite will fit better and look sharper! Trust me on this one.

As for your shoes... they need to match and be polished including the soles. Don't spit-shine them. A good polishing and buffing is all that's required. Your socks need to be those that are above the calf with spandex (forgive the spelling) so they don't fall down. Now that can be embarrassing and then you start playing with your socks....

Your shoes need to be stylish and fashionable but not designer. I like Allen Edmond and Johnson Murphy shoes. Your shoes need to be solid black or brown or even a peanut-brittle. They can have tassles but they must be tigh together not flying in the wind, But do not have metal showing tassels and/or buckles! AND... they should not look like "Herman Munster" shoes if you know what I mean. And above all.... they must be comfortable.

Your shirt needs to be white for it always looks the best and goes with everything.

Your tie needs to be bold but not over powering. I recommend doing what I do when shopping for a tie... I lay out the suite and shirt with several potential ties and then I ask anyone and everyone that's around what they think about the combinations. Really... I will aks women that are nearby shopping including their husbands if they're with them. When all said and done... I have the perfect tie and alot of smiles and laughs during the selection process.

Anyway... My thoughts might be different from the others but... I say this because the way you dress has to reflect you and "NOT" someone else during the interview! Why?

Simple... During the interview you want to and have to be concentrating on the interview. Your focus should be on the person and/or persons you are interviewing with along with their questions. You should "NOT" be thinking about how you look during the interview for it you do.... you have already lost the interview.

Bottom-line... You have to and need to sell yourself during the interview not the suite. If and when you sell yourself... you have indeed dressed for success! Make sense...

Good Luck,

Al

Joel Stamp ⋅ Minneapolis, MN U.S. Army National Guard, Captain ⋅ 14 years served

Grey or Blue suit. Black comes off to dominate and Brown will appear to leisurely. Keep the shirt white. Wear a blue or moderate tie. Red ties come off dominate and you should avoid. The # 1 issue is to make sure that your shoes are polished and not torn up. People will notice that.

Bill Pugh ⋅ San Antonio, TX USAA ⋅ 15 years experience

Definitely a suit and tie . . . I would also agree with bringing something to write with and write on. Finally, if you get the position, think about what you wear daily as well. Something I've heard before: "Don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want."

Lynette Jones ⋅ Gardena, CA ⋅ 3 years experience

Wear a dark suit or a grey suit those are conservative colors and it's professional. A tie is always a good idea.

Christopher Ahlberg ⋅ Holtsville, NY Recorded Future, Inc. ⋅ 15 years experience

a) Do your recon. Unless the company is very far away, hang out in their lobby, outside building, whatever, for a couple of hours. Hopefully you can do without becoming known as the stalker :)

That should help you see the difference between Goldman Sachs (less fancy than you'd think- suits, but not well worn), hedge funds Jane Street/2 Sigma (looks less dressed up than Google :), or BNP Parisbas (very sharp dressers)

Then per above, dress at least alike or above your target.

b) Since you're likely to wear a suit - make sure it looks like you actually knows how to wear it. I must have interviewed 100s if not low thousands of people, and nothing worse to interview some recent hyper brainiac MIT grad who's in a suit with too short pants and sleeves, looking completely uncomfortable. If that's you, get comfortable fast :) Find a cool girl to help you out.

c) Make sure everything is sharp, very well pressed, and polished shoes. Even if it's your grandfathers suit you can get it dry cleaned, pressed, and even refitted for not that much money. Since you're a veteran they'll expect more in this department. No wrinkles.

d) Skip colors, etc. You want them to remember you, not your colorful shirt...

C

Steven G ⋅ U.S. Army, Sergeant ⋅ 9 years served

Keir,

One way to do it, is to see how the people who work where you want to work dress. Financial position… well go to one and see what people who work there are wearing! Don’t worry too much about the details.. I think personality and “if you fit with this team” are more concerns of the employer. I would Sport Black over grey! Tie color.. Something that says this is you! I actually have different ties, and I just wear what I like! Usually something colorful and pleasant! You do want to show that you have some life.. And that you are different just a little! The boss could be looking for someone just a little bright and different.

I think for the first interview you should be YOU! So if you feel like a colored shirt (hope you have an awesome tie) but if you go with white then that’s good too. Actually white is the safer choice, we are talking financial also so ... May be the best bet. YES!! Rock them Cufflinks!!

Kim Gamero ⋅ Boise, ID AECOM ⋅ 8 years experience

For your first interview (coming from the Corporate world) I would skip the themes for the first interview - wear a solid color or a pattern is okay. Once you have met the interviewers and have a feel for the culture - and level of humor - of the company, then you might be ablt to try something with more "flair" for a second interview.