Opinion Poll .. Should My Husband Wear a Tie to Interview?

Updated on May 02, 2011
J.C. asks from Columbus, OH
33 answers

The position in question is for a full time construction and handyman, but it's for a local college. Would you advise your husband to wear a tie, or just go with a nice shirt? Should he wear nice slacks or his best jeans? He's thinking jeans and shirt, I'm thinking tie. What do you think?

Wish us luck, ladies!

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So What Happened?

Well, my husband saw Sandy L's response and he's running with it! He is terribly afraid of looking like he's afraid of hard work - he is actually the hardest working guy I know. So he's settled on some khakis and a dress shirt but he's decided no tie. *sigh* ah well.

Thanks for helping me try, Ladies!

Featured Answers

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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

It's always best to overdress for an interview. Slacks and a shirt, tucked in, and I'd probably wear a tie.

There is nothing wrong with looking too formal, but if he underdresses it may look like he's not serious.

HTH
T.

5 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Better to be over dressed than under dressed. An interview is still about making a good first impression. I think he should wear khaki pants and a nice shirt but not a tie.

4 moms found this helpful

A.C.

answers from Jacksonville on

Always dress to impress. Definitely no jeans. A good rule of thumb is to always be dressed as nice as the person interviewing you. He could do nice slacks, dress shirt, and take the tie with him and make the call when he gets there. No jeans.

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

Always dress for the next job.
Wear the suit.
LBC

5 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I'd say no jeans. He is a professional and needs to appear that way. Nice slacks and a blazer with a real shirt, not a polo shirt, is the way to go. I think the tie is debatable - it's probably not necessary but wearing one would show that he's trying to make a good impression and that he is serious. It shows he is willing to go the extra mile. And he should wear decent shoes, at least loafers - no work boots. I'm sure it's understood that he would wear work clothes on the job, either jeans or a uniform, whatever they require. Still, the college probably has a whole department for maintenance, and you never know if there is room for advancement to a supervisory position. Department heads may need to dress up for an occasional function, so it doesn't hurt for them to see that your husband can manage this.

If someone went for an interview as for a nursing or medical position, he/she wouldn't wear scrubs to the interview, even if those would be the clothing of choice while on the job. I think it's the same thing in construction. If he's going to be going out to a work site, that's one thing. But if this is an office interview, he should dress for it.

4 moms found this helpful
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L.N.

answers from New York on

Suit is best for interviews, no matter what the position is.
good luck

4 moms found this helpful
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K.R.

answers from Spokane on

NO JEANS! I worked at a college, and the "handymen" wore khakis for work sometimes! HA So, definitely go for the nice slacks and tie - first impression really does count. My husband clenched a job once because he had "clean cut hair." (his boss told him years later)

3 moms found this helpful
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K.E.

answers from Denver on

I think it's always best to over dress - this is an interview - he needs to put his best face forward. That said - he doesn't need a tux (LOL) but maybe a nice pair of khakis, and collar shirt and I tie if it doesn't seem over the top. First impressions and all...

Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

Always error on the side of looking too nice for an interview. Wear the tie.

3 moms found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

YES!!! Does he want to be taken seriously or just as another "JOE" who wants the job?! It will make him stand out amongst his peers and other candidates.

3 moms found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Denver on

No jeans, but a suit isn't needed. Nice pants and shirt. Clean and pressed. Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Houston on

An interview is a business meeting, so you dress as the others in the meeting will be dressed. He should do well with trousers, shirt, tie and jacket. Anything less and he might risk looking like he doesn't take himself or his work seriously.

3 moms found this helpful
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R..

answers from Chattanooga on

Nice pants and nice shirt... but I woulnd't do a tie.

3 moms found this helpful
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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I think he sould wear a suit. Just because the job is a jeans job doesn't mean he should wear jeans to the interview. Especially in today's market, anything you can do to stand out from everyone else is important. By wearing a suit he shows the interviewer that he is serious about wanting this position.

3 moms found this helpful
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X.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Nice shirt, tie and slacks...no jeans, no matter how nice they are. :)

3 moms found this helpful
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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

First impressions are important...so NO jeans for sure. If you have a nice shirt and tie already, then definitely wear that. I would imagine he'll be meeting senior reps and administrators and his ability to fit in and to meet with other prospective higher ups can be assessed quickly with how he presents himself. Just b/c he's going to be doing FT construction, there will be opportunities throughout his time there where he will undoubtedly need to dress up for some unforeseen occasion. So go in looking your best. They know he won't dress like that for work.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Boston on

ALWAYS better to be overdressed for an interview than underdressed. Think about it: if he's underdressed, he might not get hired _just_ for that reason. But no one's ever not gotten a job because they wore a tie.

Good luck.

2 moms found this helpful

T.C.

answers from Albuquerque on

I have to agree with Meagan: better over-dressed than under-dressed.

During my hubby's blue-collar days, he interviewed for a ski-lift repairman position, but it was in Aspen, CO. He wore a nice shirt and tie.

You are showing respect for your own profession when you dress well. Who cares if it's blue-collar or not???
t

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M.M.

answers from Lake Charles on

Over dressing is better than underdressing!!! Go with the slacks and tie, if he wont do the tie make him do slacks, dress shirt and sport coat. He'll make a good impression and just because he's in construction doesn't mean he needs to be sloppy!

2 moms found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Columbus on

Suit or nice slacks, shirt & tie.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.W.

answers from New York on

I would say tie. It certainly won't hurt him! and if there are a few people after the job- 3 wear shirts, your hubby wears a tie- he's gonna stick out and seem more professional. The job may not be the most professional per say, but its an interview so he should wear a tie and be as professional as possible. Including sending a thank you email or letter after. I have done this for every job interview I have gone on. To this day- I have NEVER not gotten a job I've interviewed for. Good luck!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.!.

answers from Columbus on

I say button up shirt not tie or a polo shirt with nice pants, like khakis or dockers. Jeans are a little too casual but for construation a tie would be over the top. Just my 7 years expience in HR in the construction field advice. But do what makes him comfortable. He will be able to show his true self if he is comfortable and that is what they want to see "him".

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Boston on

Nice shirt, nice pants and definitely wear the tie!! Showing up for the interview well dressed will show that he really cares and has respect for the position/people he is interviewing with. It can never hurt! Goodluck!!

1 mom found this helpful

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

For a job like this, I'd say a nice pair of kakhis and a polo shirt or a nice button up ironed shirt. I think if he just looks presentable, that'll be fine. Would you really NOT hire someone who's qualified, smells clean, looks clean, smiles nicely, etc just b/c he didn't wear a tie? I agree that jeans are no appropriate whatsoever for really any job interview.

1 mom found this helpful

L.B.

answers from Biloxi on

Suit please.
If he does not own a suite then slacks, tie and blazer.
It doesn't matter if he will be wearing jeans once he is hired - he must dress up for the interview.

Good luck!!!!!

Updated

Suit please.
If he does not own a suite then slacks, tie and blazer.
It doesn't matter if he will be wearing jeans once he is hired - he must dress up for the interview.

Good luck!!!!!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

my husband was actually told that he was promoted over another equally qualified person simply because he went to the interview in a tie. Better to be over dressed than under dressed, them knowing your husband took the extra time to make a great first impression may just be the deciding factor.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.J.

answers from Seattle on

They say always dress for the job you want not the job you have. Maybe they'd realize he's a better candidate for management of the maintenance division!

1 mom found this helpful

S.L.

answers from New York on

actually overdressing could give the illusion he doesnt like to get dirty. A nice shirt and does he have dark color kahki or dickies work pants?

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C.H.

answers from Cleveland on

my husband is in construction and I would advise him to wear a dress shirt tie and khakis. good luck to your husband!!

A.H.

answers from San Francisco on

What will the interviewer be wearing? Go one step above that. Actually it CAN be bad to overdress in some circumstances, but I don't know much about the area you live in, so I can't advise you on that.

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B.B.

answers from New York on

Yes, tie. Jeans - NO!!!!!!

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A.H.

answers from Shreveport on

Oh no to blue jeans!!!! Khaki pants and a polo would be nice for this position. A tie might be a bit extreme for this one.

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B.R.

answers from Columbus on

Yes, a tie. No jeans. Nice khakis would be fine, not wrinkled.

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