Dressing etiquette for interviews in academia

While its not mandatory to wear a suit for a faculty interview, it doesn't hurt, and may actually be expected in certain disciplines. Best to ask around beforehand. I've never heard of a dress code for student visit, but something semi-formal doesn't hurt.

As a general principle, it doesn't hurt to be more dressed up than necessary. The reverse can often be embarrassing. But as with most such thing, the departmental culture is the most important factor.

The best advice for any interview dress code is, one standard of dress higher than what you would be wearing if you got the job. eg if jeans and a t-shirt is what most people wear around the office, then business trousers and a shirt is fine for the interview. If its business trousers and a shirt, then for the interview a suit and tie.

The only single right answer is that it varies.

However, there are methods that you can use to establish what the right answer might be in the particular case you have in mind.

Here's my method.

• As with pretty much all human contact, the person you meet will have norms and expectations, conditioned by their culture, their quirks, the organisation they work in, the physical location of the organisation, your gender, their gender, your age, their age, and so on.

• There is no general answer as to what those norms and expectations are, so research the specific person, organisation and country.

That's half the story. The other half is:

• what impact do you want to have?
• Do you want to meet their expectations, or challenge them? The latter is high risk, but with potentially high reward.
• How do you want to project yourself to them?
• How strong is your position - are you going from a position of strength, or one of weakness?

And if in doubt, wear the clothes that are smart clothes within the business world (rather than the academic world) in your own culture.