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Hey all,

Have an interview with a V5 who said that the dress code is business casual (very white shoe firm). Yes I know, clear as daylight BUT would it be crazy to wear a tie? Thinking of just going in a suit jacket and shirt (no tie) but have this unnerving fear about "one can never be overdressed". I am also scared that a partner would look at me and say "damn, he didn't even bother wearing a tie", even though recruiting advice is to the contrary.

URGGGHHHHH lol

Is it just that the firm's dress code is business casual, or were you specifically told to wear business casual for the interview? For example, my firm is business casual, but we would expect folks who are interviewing to wear business attire, and on any given day lawyers may be wearing business attire and not business casual so you wouldn't feel out of place in a suit. That's different than the firm specifically telling you to wear business casual to your interview. If they told you to wear business casual, then I would dress as instructed (maybe after confirming with recruiting), but if you just know that the firm's general dress policy is business casual, you should absolutely wear a suit to the interview barring other information.

I would wear a suit and tie. You are going to be more comfortable knowing that you may be slightly overdressed than slightly underdressed, especially because "business casual" is super subjective. They aren't going to not hire you because you wore a tie -- it is still definitely an industry standard to wear a suit and tie to an interview. If you are nervous about being slightly overdressed, plan some self-deprecating joke or comment that you can reply with if someone comments on your attire in the interview. Hope this helps!

It specifically mentions in the email that dress code for the interview specifically is business casual (virtual). But as mentioned, the firm is very white shoe/traditional, so it just threw me off. Gut says to go sans tie. I don't want to risk looking like I didn't follow instructions or come off to show-off-y.

Yeah err on the side of wearing a suit and tie, unless something has changed in the pandemic it would be quite unusual for firm to have a business casual policy for interviewees

Wear a suit and tie unless you were told to wear business casual.

If you were told to wear business casual and clearly dressed more formally, I personally as an interviewer would count that as a strike against you for not being able to follow directions.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 14, 2021 10:48 am

Hey all,

Have an interview with a V5 who said that the dress code is business casual (very white shoe firm). Yes I know, clear as daylight BUT would it be crazy to wear a tie? Thinking of just going in a suit jacket and shirt (no tie) but have this unnerving fear about "one can never be overdressed". I am also scared that a partner would look at me and say "damn, he didn't even bother wearing a tie", even though recruiting advice is to the contrary.

URGGGHHHHH lol

My rule of thumb, although not sure where I heard it, "it's always easier to take the tie off, than to put one on when you don't have it". Take that as you will.

I got an offer without a tie - wear what makes you comfortable, and it sounds like you’ll freak out if you don’t wear a tie

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 14, 2021 10:48 am

Hey all,

Have an interview with a V5 who said that the dress code is business casual (very white shoe firm). Yes I know, clear as daylight BUT would it be crazy to wear a tie? Thinking of just going in a suit jacket and shirt (no tie) but have this unnerving fear about "one can never be overdressed". I am also scared that a partner would look at me and say "damn, he didn't even bother wearing a tie", even though recruiting advice is to the contrary.

URGGGHHHHH lol

You could always tilt the camera upward so that you can't see too much of what you're wearing (of course you don't want to do a "floating head" frame, but you could get away with showing just the tops of your shoulders) and/or sit a little closer to the camera.

Biz casual can mean a million different things; I think the *one* thing everyone can agree on, though, is that means no tie.

Sounds like they specified business casual, so, I'd go with a shirt + jacket, sans tie.

LMAO - you're not an employee at said firm yet. Don't go thinking you're entitled to what they've earned.

Also - NYC taught me that Business Casual just means “we’re not trying to force you to wear a suit, but if you know the game you'll wear one”

I found out the hard way at a Milbank 1L mixer that was BC. Every guy in there was in a suit except me...

Be better than me lol

I mean this seems pretty simple. If you were directly told that dress code for the interview was business casual, then wear business casual (I get that’s kind of vague but likely not a jacket and tie. Jacket without is probably fine).

If you were told that the office dress code is business casual, suit up for an interview as you normally would.