Dress Code - Interview over coffee Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi,

I've got an interview coming up with a judge. Normally, if it were in his chambers, I would wear a traditional suit / tie combo.

However, he suggested we meet over coffee instead. Does that suggest something more casual might be appropriate? Or should I just err on the side of caution and go in business attire?

Feel free to mock me. This sounds almost too stupid to worry about.

[MrAnon]

Yes, smart casual. No sneakers. Jeans are okay. He wants to see that you are a normal functioning human being, not a nerd in a tuxedo.

[studebaker07]

Yes dress down, but not too casual.

If you want to play it safe, maybe go with business casual (button down and slacks, maybe a blazer or jacket if its cold). No tie; no suit.

I always think a nice pair of jeans, button down, and blazer are nice for these kinds of meetings too.

After getting so roundly criticized, I feel compelled to redact this. Would definitely want to dress up, a suit would probably be best. I just went with the jeans idea originally because I had an interview last week with a partner from a mid-size firm and wore a suit to that interview. It was also over coffee and the partner made a comment about how she should have told me to dress down. I think here a suit is appropriate given that you are interviewing with a judge. Who knows, the interview may start at the coffee shop and the judge may ask you back to his chambers?

Good luck.

[Jessep]

Jeans is absolutely absurd. Where the hell is this advice coming from, frat brothers? Go with business casual at the very least unless this is a very close friend. It is an INTERVIEW.

I'd suit up. Maybe I'd go business casual with a blazer. It is an interview with a judge. He's not going to be showing up in jeans. If the interview is during the work week, I'd be shocked if he shows up in anything less than a button down and slacks. Dressing slightly more formally than him is not a problem - jeans will be. No one will think you are a 'nerd' for suiting up for an interview...this is normal.

[mr_toad]

Last month I wore a suit/tie to an interview over coffee with a practicing lawyer. I was accepted one week later (strong consider on LSP). FWIW. [Edit: apologize, just realized this was in the employment forum... still, suit/tie never hurts ]

[UCLAtransfer]

Did I misread something? We are talking about an INTERVIEW with a JUDGE, right?

This is a difficult choice between slacks/dress shirt/blazer or a suit, jeans are not even in the running here, regardless of whether is it over coffee.

The judge will be wearing slacks and a button down shirt at the very least, will likely be wearing a tie, and could potentially wear a suit coat.

Jeans? Really?

[MrPapagiorgio]

First off, no freakin jeans. Next, no sneakers.

I'm thinkin khaki's, a button down and a blue blazer if its cold would do it.

[Anonymous User]

I had the same dilemma with an interview over coffee in the morning. Lucky for me I had to be dressed for work after the interview (I was currently clerking part time at another firm). Thus I had a legitimate reason to look completely professional while also highlighting my work experience.

So, maybe find something to do later/earlier that day that requires you to suit up. Just a thought.


Otherwise, I'd go business casual. A suit would be too much for meeting over coffee...even if it is a judge.

[Grizz]

I say suit. You cannot go wrong with a suit. Better to be a little overdressed than underdressed. $5 says the judge shows up in a blazer and tie at least.

[Unitas]

I say suit. You cannot go wrong with a suit. Better to be a little overdressed than underdressed. $5 says the judge shows up in a blazer and tie at least.

Wear a suit minus the tie and keep the top button undone. You'll still likely look good, but not too dressed up to be seen as stuffy.

This wasn't supposed to be anonymous, my bad - this is Unitas.

[BobSacamano]

Any chance you could case the place to get a sense of the judge's attire before you show up?

I wish I was joking. I absolutely hate these iffy dress questions, I end up feeling super awkward if I don't match the other person.

[LurkerNoMore]

It's an interview. Wear a suit.

There is no reason feel you need to match your interviewer. You are the one asking for a job. Dressing formally is a sign of respect. Now, if you are specifically told what dress code to wear, go with that.

[Geist13]

there are only a few situations where being overdressed is actually detrimental. None of them involve the word interview.

[Grizz]

there are only a few situations where being overdressed is actually detrimental. None of them involve the word interview.

[lolschool2011]

Yes, smart casual. No sneakers. Jeans are okay. He wants to see that you are a normal functioning human being, not a nerd in a tuxedo.

Jeans are not ok. Do not listen to this person. Jeans are "ok" if you're going to a club or rodeo, not meeting a judge over coffee.

Khakis or nice pants with a light sweater.

[vanwinkle]

there are only a few situations where being overdressed is actually detrimental. None of them involve the word interview.

Always wear a suit to an interview. Always. It will never be taken wrongly, it will always send the message you're taking the interview seriously, and you avoid the possible risk that you underdressed and are thus perceived as not serious enough about the job.

Always always always wear a suit unless explicitly told not to.

[Grizz]

Always wear a suit to an interview. Always. It will never be taken wrongly, it will always send the message you're taking the interview seriously, and you avoid the possible risk that you underdressed and are thus perceived as not serious enough about the job.

This. Yeah, you could maybe get away with less, but why even take the chance when wearing a suit is SO EASY?

[warumnicht]

Yes, go with a suit, but preferably not a solid black one (which generally makes young men look overdressed). If you have one that's dark gray or navy, wear that.

Chances are, the judge will be wearing slacks and a button-down (I used to work in a court setting, and that was pretty much the uniform for male judges). Unless he is actually wearing a jacket himself and doesn't take it off when you guys sit down for coffee, it's okay if you take yours off as well -- just make sure that your button-down is nice and crisp.

[MrAnon]

Be sure to arrive early and sit near a restroom. Watch for the judge to arrive and get out of his car. If he appears to be much more casual than you RUN to the restroom and ditch the jacket. You can pick it up later after the interview.

[vamedic03]

Hi,

I've got an interview coming up with a judge. Normally, if it were in his chambers, I would wear a traditional suit / tie combo.

However, he suggested we meet over coffee instead. Does that suggest something more casual might be appropriate? Or should I just err on the side of caution and go in business attire?

Feel free to mock me. This sounds almost too stupid to worry about.

I'm going to buck the trend here and say where slacks, sports coat, and no tie. This is getting coffee in a public place, this isn't going to be in chambers. By choosing a coffee shop, the judge has signaled that this is not a formal event. Don't over dress, don't under dress.

[patrickd139]

Always wear a suit to an interview. Always. It will never be taken wrongly, it will always send the message you're taking the interview seriously, and you avoid the possible risk that you underdressed and are thus perceived as not serious enough about the job.

This. Yeah, you could maybe get away with less, but why even take the chance when wearing a suit is SO EASY?

+1. Interview = suit. There is no location variable.

[irish017]

heyi

[bredpit]

SPAM

[flcath]

What do you lose by going in a suit?

What could you potentially lose by not going in a suit?

[Grizz]

Thanks & Regards,
Bred Pit

Nice spam d00d