comatose Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 I know is sounds like a stupid question but I have never worked in an Arch Viz firm or been to job interviews at one so I really don't know. I am currently working in a medium sized architectural firm and I do all of the renderings there. The atmosphere is very casual at my company and for the interview I just wore a short sleeve shirt(without a tie) and nice pants/ shoes. This is also what I usually wear to work however about half of my colleges just wear jeans and T shirts. I have a couple of nice winter suits but I will be moving to Australia this summer. So my question is ; Is smart causal acceptable/ advisable for job interviews in Australia? Also, any other tips for Arch viz job hunting would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I wore a suit to an interview, landed the job in the US, wore the suit to work and they thought I was being arrogant as they all wore casual. now I work in my jammies and I don't care:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Hunt Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 In Aus it depend on the city, here in Brisbane its quite casual and Melbourne smart (as long as its black). jhv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comatose Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 In Aus it depend on the city, here in Brisbane its quite casual and Melbourne smart (as long as its black). jhv Thanks for the reply. Yeah I noticed wearing black is like a uniform in Melbourne. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lylemills Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Office casual is your best bet. You don't look too snobby as in a suit, and you don't look like a bum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I never had an interview in Australia but I can't picture going to an interview without a suit on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Hunt Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I remeamber one of the very first interviews I went to I wore a suit, the first comment was "Why are you wearing a suit?", granted it was for a T-Shirt design company . Never wore a suit again. jhv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claudio Branch Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 You can still roll with the suit and tone it down if you lose the tie and don't button the jacket. Just make sure your shoes look sharp, your pants are creased and skip the cologne. Ultimately you need to be comfortable and confident to interview well. Anyone can throw on a suit and look good...the real test comes when you have to start answering questions about your portfolio and your clothes will become quite the secondary concern. Oh, and pop a mint...no chewing gum. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comatose Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 thanks for the advice. and now to prepare my portfolio.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BVI Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I've conducted 100's of interviews and to be honest I do like applicants to dress decently. I don't expect a tie, but a smart shirt and jeans is suitable. When people pitch in shorts and a tee I don't think its very professional. Also, leave the piercings at home. Once in the office our guys can wear anything they feel comfortable in but interviews should convey a level of respect. Also, bring a PRINTED copy of your portfolio with you - not a laptop or a disk. Also a copy or two of your resume helps. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notamondayfan Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I remeamber one of the very first interviews I went to I wore a suit, the first comment was "Why are you wearing a suit?", granted it was for a T-Shirt design company . Never wore a suit again. jhv Haha yea, you should have worn a custom design t-shirt to wow them! Back on topic, I would just say more smart, less casual. You want to look serious and not flaky. I would wear a suit, shirt, tie, polished shoes. You can always take the jacket off. I personally would avoid black and white combo, I love colour and think it says a lot about people and their creativity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Schroeder Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Don't be afraid to ask the company their style of dress. Arch viz studios, from my experience, are far more casual than if you go into an architecture firm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notamondayfan Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Don't be afraid to ask the company their style of dress. Arch viz studios, from my experience, are far more casual than if you go into an architecture firm. Yea definitely true, we wear what we like, from shirts to shorts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Buckley Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 can't go wrong with smart jeans, shoes and shirt, not underdressed, not overdressed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Schroeder Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 can't go wrong with smart jeans, shoes and shirt, not underdressed, not overdressed Yeah, that's probably the safest bet to go with. It boils down to this. As long as you are not dressed as a slob, wear shorts and flip-flops or if you are a woman you are wearing something left better for a strip club, you will be fine. Any company that refuses to hire based on how you dress over your portfolio and talent you can bring to the company, is better off not working for anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Zaslavsky Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I don't know what its like overseas ... but if I'm looking to employ a potential candidate and i've seen their portfolio and its impressive - if they turn up underdressed - it will tell me that they are too arrogant and beleive that just the nature of their work will carry them through. hiring people is a lot more than just the quality of the work - its just as important to fit into the culture of the company and for that you can always dress down after you're successful at an interview. in melbourne its quite customary not to wear ties, but a suit and a nice shirt (i don't know where the black and white association came from) ) would be fine imho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJLynn Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 What Stan said. If you can wear a suit, you can wear jeans. I can't imagine anybody would fault you for wearing a suit to an interview. But if you show up to an interview and the interviewer is not somebody who thinks it's acceptable to wear jeans to an interview, you've made a bad impression. Personally, I'm in the suit camp, and if I were management at an arch or vis firm and somebody showed up at my office for an interview wearing jeans, I'd think less of them for it. It would signal to me that the guy doesn't own a suit, because why else would he come to interview without wearing it, and I'd start to question whether a guy who doesn't own a suit is somebody I want working for me. (What would a guy who doesn't own a suit wear to a wedding or a funeral?) If they were good enough I'd still hire them, but I'd consider it a point against them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt McDonald Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) I think Andy is right, no one is going to think less of you for wearing a suit. I think it shows that you take the opportunity seriously. When I first interviewed out of school I wore a suit. If I were to go interviewing now I'd probably do slacks a nice shirt and some nifty shoes because that is about as nice as I have seen anyone dress with any regularity around town. I think jeans are just too casual for an interview. Edited September 13, 2011 by ELEVATION spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Homeless Guy Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) I say suit, but since you are in a creative industry you can mix and match a jacket and pants, or patterns if you have a good eye. This mix and match is not an easy option, but it might help communicate that you are visually oriented and know what works together whether it is in a image or the clothes on your back. Just make sure it is tasteful and professional because it could go horrible wrong very quickly. Edited September 14, 2011 by Crazy Homeless Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fooch Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Heck, to be honest .. turn up in something thats presentable and make sure you have your portfolio ready to go. (If there is a showreel, bring a laptop thats on sleep mode ready to go) Portfolio and attitude wins everytime. I never hired based on CV / Dress / the external bits .. just the portfolio work and attitude. Dressing in a suit / jacket and smart shirt etc does mean you can potentially lead a meeting with clients in the future.. Casuak tshirt etc, would normally mean in house guru? Just dont turn up looking like you just drop by from the gym , or .. gasp, totally suited up like an accountant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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