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Anonymous A
on Feb 03, 2021
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Do you really wear suit & tie to in-person interviews?

Just want to be on the safe side. If yes, I'd soon order a tailored suit for future interviews. I'm only worried that I'd be overdressed.

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Clara
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I can talk for McKinsey saying: YES! 

First of all, consultants themselves most of the time wear suit & tie, and you don´t want to be less dress than then. 

Furthermore, even if you did not know this, it´s better to be over-dressed than under-dressed in these contexts. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

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Ian
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Yes.

Always remember this rule: it is better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Regardless, suit + tie is required in the regular consulting world, and even more so for an interview!

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Vlad
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Yes, I strongly recommend wearing a suit and a tie as a default option

Best

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Gaurav
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there, you won't be overdressed wearing suit & tie! This is what most consultants wear most of the time. 

Cheers,

GB

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Ken
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

It really depends on the firm and location but being overdressed isn't so bad as compared to being underdressed. I would always wear a suit and at least carry a tie with me. More senior folks can be often be a little more traditional and so it's always best to play it safe. 

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Deleted
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
Ex-McKinsey | Stern Stewart | SMP - Let me teach you how to nail the interview process

Hi there, 

first of all, a suit is not only recommended but almost a must for in person consulting interviews. When it comes to the tie, most consulting firms will not force you to wear one, but I would say it is good advice have it (it demonstrates professionalism). Especially in the European region, this is the go-to for interviews. However, I remember that for Oliver Wyman in Germany, they specifically let the candidate decide how they feel better (with or without tie). 

If you have a connection in the company you're applying to - maybe you can ask them to clarify for you. 

Best

Jonas

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Antonello
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, it strongly depends on firms and geography. What firms are you applying for?

Best,
Antonello

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Deleted user
on Feb 03, 2021

Will be too much in my view but please follow the norms in your local country/city. Being overdressed is better than being underdressed. Tailored suit is not required as long as you have couple of decent readymade ones altered to fit your structure. Dont buy cheap/rental suits.

Maybe wear a suit and keep the tie handy.

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Deleted user
on Feb 03, 2021

Probably depends on the firm you're interviewing with.

I've done many interviews since the lockdown and never saw a tie on any of the candidates. And I didn't think they were underdressed.

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Florian
Coach
on Feb 03, 2021
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hey there,

I agree with the others. While for online interviews firms specify that they don't expect you to dress up fully, suit and tie are still the standard for in-person meetings.

You won't be overdressed, no worries!

Cheers,

Florian

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Luca
Coach
on Feb 04, 2021
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

As general rule: better be overdressed than Underdressed.

As a consultant you will be required to wear a suit 90% of your time (sometimes also in the office). Policies applied to tie can instead vary between different companies.

Best,
Luca

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Raj
Coach
on Feb 21, 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

Absolutely, a suit and tie would be table stakes for the interviews

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