Shall I just go in naked? How to dress for an interview in an art school

If you're a suit virgin, you're probably not going to feel comfortable in a suit. Feeling comfortable is key for a job interview. 'moonMan has been offered jobs wherein he went to the interview in jeans and a T-shirt because he was so relaxed during the interview that he really nailed it. Wear whatever is presentable and comfortable. You know the place, so you know what will fly and what won't. Don't worry about creating a specific impression, just y'know, be yourself. You want them to hire *you* and not some puppet version of yourself, so present them with *you.*

I was recently in a similar situation, and after spending 6 hours with a personal shopper combing through suits at Macys, Nordstroms and even Saks (Marks and Spencer/Harrods equivalents), the shopper finally looked at me and said: "Ok...so, we've tried on at least 70 suits. You hate them. They hate you. You're not a suit person. You're a creative person, and even if we found a suit that fit you correctly, you're going to be miserable in it. Let us instead, find some upscale clothes that fit the way you like to dress, yes?" She was right. I ended up with an gorgeous skirt and a fabulous cashmere sweater, and some new shoes and a bag, and I was so comfortable that I didn't even once think about my clothes during the interview. Shoes, yes...they were too high and hard to walk in, but clothes...I was so comfortable. That said; I still spent as much as I would have on a suit. Well tailored clothes are expensive, but oh...they look so lovely. Also, I'm tres jealous. Good luck on your interview! I'm sure you'll be fabulous. Just remember, be comfortable, be yourself, and you'll be golden. :)

No, that looks like a City Banker type suit. Firstly I think your instincts are excellent, while it may be very relaxed the will still expect you to make an effort for the interview. So go with a Suit and then ensure the shirt is something you wouldn't normally see with a suit. Check our Orlando Bloom's lookhttp://www.gqmagazine.co.uk/CoolNewStuff/Photos.aspx?SequenceID=156, or take a look at what the Edge is wearing http://www.gqmagazine.co.uk/CoolNewStuff/Photos.aspx?SequenceID=176 (onus for the beanie maybe!). Best of luck

Sorry, Bonus. Also Bloom either wore his cardigan backwards that same night in this http://www.gqmagazine.co.uk/CoolNewStuff/Photos.aspx?SequenceID=179, or he carries a variety of knitware when out for an evening.

If you don't wear it often, maybe save some money by looking at the offers at Burton where they give the pants free with the Jacket (most start at £70). The very narrow lapel single breasted look is (was) fashionable, see http://www.burton.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=20553&storeId=12551&categoryId=87948&parent_category_rn=63454&langId=-1&top=Y. Plus you can wear either a very fine cardigan or waistcoat under it. Creeping in at the moment is the retro double breasted James Bond http://www.burton.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=20553&storeId=12551&categoryId=136452&parent_category_rn=63454&productId=867967&langId=-1, which is in-and-out most years but the Prince of Wales put me off that look, although YMMV. (can you tell I'm a frustrated suit shopper?)

My personal guess is that a full blown suit (like the one you've linked) is too formal for the occasion. I would also strongly discourage the pinstriping. To me that suit looks like it should be worn by somebody who belongs to the corporate world; it seems too loud, rigid and consciously dressy. Overall, I don't think that level of formality is valued in the art world or academia. As a disclaimer, I should add it's my view that it's always hard for strangers to give advice on these things. If you want to appeal to creative people and appear easy going I think you need to dress honestly and transparently. You want to reveal your personality and your own aesthetic. However, if I have to offer a suggestion I would point you towards this page http://www.ourlegacy.tresbienshop.net/en/grp/fullcollection.php and http://www.tresbienshop.net/en/grp/openingceremony.php (I am not affiliated with this store or these brands). I like the overall look from the first link and I've included the second because I think it's easy to give any outfit a dressier feel by wacking on a nice pair of boots. My own preferences perhaps run a little bland and uninteresting. Also take into consideration the fact that I'm a 20 year old graphic design student from Australia. I haven't been to many job interviews, I don't know what people are wearing in London and my aesthetic will probably come off as a bit conservative from the perspective of an arts student. To be honest, I don't consider the tutors and lecturers at my university especially well dressed in general but I still have plenty of respect for them as designers, artists and academics.

Your instinct is right on, except that a pinstripe suit is very dressy, probably too dressy for academia. I suggest a navy or gray single-breasted suit. Black is good too but will look dressier. The pants should be flat-front, not pleated. Pair it with a printed shirt that you'll be happy to wear over and over again, but don't pick a shirt that screams "I'm MAKING A STATEMENT." Pick a shirt that you know you'll feel great meeting strangers in. I think a man wearing French cuffs and creative cufflinks, like old subway tokens or Monopoly game pieces, looks even more artsy. Don't wear a tie, unless your peers interviewing you would also be in ties.

Slimeline, I like the suit you linked to. I wouldn't wear the vest with it but I think if you wore the suit on it's own without a tie it could look really good. I'd suggest going to M&S and trying it on to see what you think. Also, bring someone along who you feel has a good sense of style.

I interview staff for university posts regularly. Even you are going to an Art School institution, I don't think appearance has ever has mattered to a panel I've served on, or has come up in private discussions, etc. That isn't to say you can get it wrong - way too formal or way too casual - but I don't think it is has the importance you rate. What will be more important? Well if you will allow: If you a giving a presentation, please, please don't read out every damn word in the powerpoint. We can read. Bullet polnts. One of the best I saw was a set of images which the speaker used to hang his presentation on (from his memory). Don't drone on. Be sparky in reply to the questions. Provoke the questions. Try to connect it all together with yourself, the field and the instititution. A few jokes don't hurt. Do some research on the School. The number of people I interview who say "I don't know if you do this here" Find out! There will be lots on the web. So, look informed, make it clear how you would fit and how you would add to the mix. Don't be afraid to say that you know they didn't do too well in this league table or whatever, and that you can improve that. In the interview proper, be concise. There will be time to follow up, so don't give speeches as your answers. People tune out. Have some questions to ask that amount to more than "How much will I be paid?" A good one is always "What opportunities are there for... X" as it can provoke discussions about your development in the post. Regardless of the institution, leadership and administrative ability matter. Make sure you know things that are contextual to this, that you know and use terms like Subject Benchmark, QAA, etc. Drop them in - "I was reading the Programme Specification for X and it was really interesting..." Or "I read your Mission Statement and was very impressed by Y." Each panel member will have a set question to ask, and it gets a bit tiring hearing the same stuff in reply. Try to be ready to indicate something relating to you, your past, your current post, which sells you. I've seen the strongest candidates fall apart when simply asked questions like "What was the biggest challenge when you took the job at X?" or "Can you tell us of something you think you didn't manage or organise well in your current job, and what lesson you learnt from it." Or even the old chestnut "What's your best quality and your worst quality - one word answers only." Good luck