Need help with interview dress code
 

OK, here's my situation:

I am a European mid-level manager and I have been invited to Canada (Montreal) to attend an interview for a management position. I know it sounds stupid, but how would one dress in Canada for this? Back home I would probably wear a dark suit, white shirt, cuff-links, etc... Would this be considered overdressed or appropriate? The company in question is an engineering company..so nothing too creative :)

Thanks for any pointers!

PS if you have any other interesting points which may indicate differences between a job interview in Canada and Europe I am all ears :D

Cufflinks aren't that popular in N. America (AFAIK) but I doubt if anyone will notice. Looks like what you'd wear at home is what you'd wear here otherwise. Stating the obvious but don't forget tie and dress shoes. :)

I had a meeting with some insurance types today (no, they weren't actuaries). Of the four men from two companies, all but one had cuff links. They're perfectly acceptable here, so there's no reason to not wear them if that's what you like.

From a pure fashion perspective, French cuffs/cuff links hit their peak here last year or the year before, and they're no longer the most "in" thing. But as YVR Cockroach noted, most people wouldn't notice and if they did, they probably wouldn't have a strong opinion on them.

Oh, and adding to the list of obvious things, don't wear white socks with your suit! :D

Hmm... an engineering company... make sure to add that pocket protector! ;)

Actually, watch GMA and you will find Sam C wearing cufflinks as well as other sophisticated men both on and off the screen. Wear the cufflinks!

I worked in PR for several years and dark suit, white shirt accompanied by a red or yellow tie is always appropriate. Be sure and polish your dark dress shoes (cordivan or black) and double check the bottoms to make sure they don't show "excessive" wear (holes, heels, etc.)

Be prepared to know THREE strengths you would bring to this company and three weaknesses (any weakness should be a "strength" to the company i.e., take work seriously, etc.

Good LUCK! Keep us posted and be sure and send a thank you note to the personnel office for taking time to interview you for the position.

That will be $3000 L

Thanks to you all for taking the time to give me some pointers. It will be an interesting experience. Hopefully things will work out positively.

Anyway, I will keep you updated on the result. I hope they don't take too long to make up their minds.

Red or yellow tie might be appropriate for a PR job, I'd pick something more subdued for other positions; but definitely NOT one of those British striped regiment/school/yacht club ones :eek: .

Quebecois tend to dress more stylishly than the rest of North America. Your Euro-attire should be fine.:)

Do you have a copy of the firm's annual report? If it is one with lots of employee pictures, you might get some more clues there. You should have the report for background reading on the company anyway. Even to help recognize some of the faces you will be meeting. Local library?

To generalize, engineers tend to be the more casual dressers in the corporate world, although not quite so casual as computer types. However, middle management and up can still be as formal as any other company.

Romelle

Try to find out the firm's culture. In Montreal, you could have an Anglophone or Francophone one. A francophone one is likely to be somewhat more stylish and obviously bilingual (a French only outfit is unlikely to be big enough to import middle managers from Europe) and in Montreal, a European style isn't out of place.

I'll echo Romelle that engineers tend to be more casual but for middle management interviews, go formal until you get the job. Then switch ;). Also, make sure to bring along outerwear suitable for the season. Montreal cools off in the fall and can be quite chilly if you are used to very mild winters.

Just a couple of more thoughts (which echo some earlier comments)...
- When I've interviewed candidates for my department (IT), I don't think I've ever noticed their cuff links. I asked my wife who works in HR and she says she's never noticed a candidate's cuff links either during the interviews she's conducted.
- I do agree that my team's counterparts in Montreal dress better/more stylish.
- My wife suggests it's better to overdress than to under dress because if you overdress, at worst, they may think "Hmm, that guy's a little overdressed." whereas if you under dress, the thought may be "The guy doesn't even care enough for the job to dress appropriately."
- My wife's friend who works HR in a large engineering firm say all the engineers dress like slobs. Doesn't necessarily translates as to what to wear in the interview tho. :D

Thanks once again to all those who replied.
I went with the "business attire" and that was totally appropriate in the end.

I was put through the "grinder", although no questions about strengths and weaknesses and I had that all prepared! :)

Anyway, now I just have to sit and wait.....

Good luck! ^

Thanks but....
 

Once again thanks to all who gave me assistance. Unfortunately, whilst I apparently came real close, I didn't come close enough and was not offered the position. It would have been fun to come live in Canada, but I guess it was not meant to be.

Thanks to all who gave advice. FT is a wonderful resource and community that I am proud to be part of. ^

Sorry to hear you won't be joining us! I hope you at least enjoyed the trip.