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What is the dress code for an interview ?

Hello,

What is the best dress code for a case interview ? Some firms pride themselves in not requiring suits (unless meeting a client) but should a candidate go in a dress shirt/chinos or full suit with a tie?

What about grooming ? Is a trimmed beard ok ? Traditional clean shave ?

I assume that in the MEA the big firms are a bit more lenient on the matter.

Thanks.

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Bisher hat niemand auf diese Frage reagiert.
Beste Antwort
am 12. Okt. 2017

You always dress in a suit for an interview. Casual Friday are for employees only !

10
Gelöschter Nutzer
am 6. Dez. 2017
Well said mate!
Gelöschter Nutzer
am 18. Jan. 2018

For males full suite and tie, even if consultancy prides itself of being more relaxed. Always dress to impress in interviews. Groomed beard is ok.

9
am 18. Jan. 2018
Thank you Andrea. I get to keep a light beard !
Vlad
Coach
am 18. Jan. 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Totally agree with the previous. Your look should be:

  1. Professional (Suit, fresh haircut, clean shoes, etc)
  2. Mature (e.g. no piercing)
  3. Should impress (No cheap and poor looking Zara suits)
  4. Should help you to project confidence - make sure that you feel comfortable in a suit. If not - practice solving cases in a suit.

Best,

am 18. Jan. 2018
Thank you. It's time to get a new suit !
am 19. Jan. 2018
Hi Vlad, how about dress code for women? Is a smart black dress + jacket ok or is a shirt/suit necessary?
am 20. Jan. 2018
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi John,

I agree with the previous comments, suit (blue, gray) + tie for man and pantsuits or suit with a matching skirt for women with dark colours are always the best dress code in consulting interview. As more tips:

  • Limit the amount of jewellery to watch and wedding band
  • Avoid cologne (interviewer may be allergic)
  • Standard shirts (white, French blue are always safe bets)
  • Ordinary pen, bags, shoes, and other gadgets
  • Standard haircut
  • For men: Standard tie (no cute symbols)
  • For women: Avoid excessive make up/fingernails

I would personally avoid beard – some interviewers/firms are ok with that, but why risk?

Best,

Francesco

am 25. Sept. 2016
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Go for the suit & tie for every interview expect maybe high tech / startup environment. You can't be overdressed on the big day!

Good luck w/ Bain!

Anonym E
am 14. Mai 2018

Hi, I just had an MBB interview and progressed to final round.

Here is what I wore. I was very happy with my choice of attire. Aim to impress and stand out with your case and fit quality rather than your attire - I would avoid the red tie. I feel that if you put in the effort to look great, you'll have more confidence and perform well. Body language is a huge indicator for interviewers and as such; dress code and the way your present is important.

  • Navy Suit.
  • Brown suit shoes / Brown belt - (Black shoes and navy does not match if you're fussy) Polish the shoes enough so that you can see your nervous face in the reflection (Only kidding!)
  • Light blue shirt / Plain spotted navy/white tie
  • Discrete watch
  • Plain socks

Don't dress too flashy - no cufflinks, Gucci or Rolex type accessories. Don't wear a tie clip either. 

Good luck! 

3
Gelöscht
Coach
am 14. Mai 2018

I wouldn't over think it - wear a suit and tie, and don't over do it. As long as you don't stand out for being badly dressed, you will be fine - no one has ever passed a consulting interview because they wore the best suit.

am 12. Okt. 2017

Hi,

I'd go for a suit but not include other accessories (e.g. pocket square, tie, cufflinks etc.).

You want to be on the safe side but what you don't want is to visually overwhelm your interviewer, who is dressed smart casual. 

Best of luck!

1
Anonym A
am 26. Sept. 2016

Thanks, guennael.

Since we talking about it,  what's the dress code for a consultant. Is it suit and tie everyday? only in big client meeting?

best

0
Anonym D
am 26. Sept. 2016

Definitely suit, tie depends on client company´s dress code. Office Friday is casual day

0
am 26. Sept. 2016
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Actually.... if in the US probably, you would probably never wear a tie unless perhaps your clients were in finance. Once I got my BCG offer, the next time I wore a suit was when I interviewed for my next job. Even meetings with the senior clients are usually done wearing business casual.

This may be different in other countries (I used to wear a 3 piece suit in Germany in my pre-consulting days after all).

Hope this helps,

Guennael -

Ex-BCG Dallas 

Gelöscht
Coach
am 27. Sept. 2016
Current partner @ Andreessen Horowitz (VC firm). Ex-Mckinsey, ex- strategy guy at Google.

Business formals. Can't go wrong with a suit + tie. 3-piece not needed / too over the top. For women: pantsuits / pencil skirts. Darker shades preferred.

Anonym A
am 27. Sept. 2016

Thanks guys!

0
am 17. Okt. 2017

Dress the way you would meet a client and represent your employer.  Period!

0
Gelöscht
Coach
am 31. Okt. 2017
Only ex-Partner (McKinsey and Oliver Wyman) on PrepLounge

You definitely want to go the suit route. However, make sure to be on the conservative side and avoid things like pocket squares and cuff links. You don’t want to come across to flashy as you can turn interviewers off. Don’t be surprised if most of your interviewers are dressed business casual. Consultants dress business casual in the office almost always, but this also varies by office, with some European offices being more business formal.

Gelöscht
Coach
am 13. Mai 2018
Google Product Manager | Ex- BCG Consultant | References Available

That sounds perfect - best of luck!

Gelöscht
Coach
am 31. Mai 2018
Ex CAPCO/BCG Consultant. Specialize in Market Sizing

Yes 100% must wear a suit. Keep it convserative and simple. Blue and red are great colors.

Good luck!

Josh

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