Suit & Tie for Ad Agency Interview???

Question

I have an Ad Agency interview in Denver coming up. I 've never done an Ad Agency interview before. Are Ad Agencies like tech firms where they laugh you out of the room when you show up in a suit & tie? Interview is with a small, but very well respecterd boutique firm for a strategic brand consulting posisiton....Need Advice....Thanks...Sammy

Answer 1

Sammy, I wouldn't worry about a suit and tie.

I dressed up for a meeting years ago with Leo Burnett in Chicago, and the guy was wearing jeans and threw his feet up on the table.

Just put something together that really represents what you're about or what you think they're looking for (which is most probably, an independent, creative thinker). You're attitude is much more important than your outfit.

Wear something casual, yet sorta chic, Don't dress up too much.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Sammy -

What you wear DOES matter. I'm in the process of hiring people for a small creative ad firm in Chicago and have seen a number of candidates come in and out of the office. While we don't necessarily judge people on the way they dress, we definitely notice. And it does ultimately factor into our overall perception of the candidate.

As the previous answerer stated, the position does matter. Account executives and supervisors, or anyone who will be on the front lines with clients, need to look and dress sharp. I would not hire someone who showed up for an account executive position in jeans and flip-flops...unless an airline had lost their luggage. You need to look the part you're trying to play so that the people interviewing you can visualize you in that role...and so that they see you took the time to present yourself in the best light possible. It shows you are genuinely interested in the position. Moreso than the guy who comes in with a 5 o'clock shadow and a wrinkled shirt.

If the position is in the creative department, writing or art directing, then sometimes style is more important. Demonstrating good taste in how you dress demonstrates that you are fashionable, hip, trendy, and in the know. This is important in the world of advertising, as we are always about being on the cusp of what's new and hot. Don't panic, though - an eager sales associate at Banana Republic could probably build you a stylish outfit off the discount rack if you're hard pressed to find anything new in your closet. A good look these days is a blazer and no tie. If it's a creative position, a blazer with jeans is permissible if the jeans are a good cut and don't have a ton of holes in them.

Most importantly, just be sure to do the basics. Shave. Iron the shirt. Polish the shoes. Brush your teeth. A suit is not necessary, but a good appearance will do wonders for your overall presentation and give you a leg up!

Best of luck...

Answer 3

Go there a couple of days before and look and see how they dress for work. I'm from the old school and I never think a suit and tie is a bad idea - wore one for thirty-five years (sales and marketing) in the last ten years or so of my career, the dress code changed and most where I worked were into jeans and sweat shirts, I wore that attire when I was locking myself in my office and was expecting no visitors. My dress(suit-tie) never caused me a problem and in some cases especially when dealing with the more conservative companies was appreciated and I'm sure it was a sales feature to some of my clients.

Answer 4

I work in an agency. I agree wholeheartedly with the advice to check out the agency ahead of time. Demonstrable knowledge indicates a genuine desire for the role. Likewise make the call on the basis of the role you are going for, but err on the side of caution, dress it up a notch or two. At the end of the day we are in the business of helping our clients to grow their business. There is a reason it is called Professional Services! Good luck with the interview. It's a great industry to work in.

Answer 5

It depends on the position you are applying for. If you are applying to be an Account Exec a sharp suit & tie would be better than casual however if you are applying for a Designer or creative role a smart trendy/casual look may be better. Above all don't look scruffy!

Answer 6

Go check the place out, this is also good so that you can establish a route that won't make you late for the interview.
Go there stick your head in the door and see what they are wearing and then when choosing your attire step it up one or two notches.
Don't be uptight, and don't be too flashy.
GL

Answer 7

Definately!

Answer 8

just go with socks and a tie, but that's it buddy.