Video interview dress code

dress code video interview
New answer on Oct 21, 2020
6 Answers
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Alan asked on Oct 20, 2020

Hi there

In some geographies MBB are doing video interviews due to the pandemic.

Do men still wear a tie even in video interviews?

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Ken
Expert
replied on Oct 20, 2020
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

For McKinsey, you can get away without a jacket but wearing a tie is a safe bet for most geographies. Less for first round but some of the senior folks conducting final round can be pretty old school too.

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Anonymous A replied on Oct 20, 2020

Just went through the interview process with MBB. I was wondering the same thing, but I feel it can't hurt to be dressed just as you would for a usual in-person intevriew. If you're underdressed, certain interviewers may view that negatively. If you're dressed as you normally would be for an interview, noone will view that negatively. You might be able to dress less formally for certain interviewers, but I decided not to take the risk. Also BCG explicitely said to dress business formal.

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Anonymous A on Oct 20, 2020

Im in the US btw. I'm a woman so it's a bit different, but I personally wore a navy suit with a simple white silk blouse. This would be equivalent to a man wearing a navy suit with a shirt and *maybe* a tie. I would really not take the risk if I were you and just dress formally.

Robert
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 20, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

While it's not absolutely required and "tolerated" to wear a shirt without tie, I'd still recommend to take one to be on the safe side (no upside of not wearing one, but still a downside since some of your interviewers might be more conservative).

Hope this helps - if so, please give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Henning
Expert
replied on Oct 20, 2020
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

I don't and most candidates I interviewed since March didn't. But this might be different in different geographies.

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Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Oct 21, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi Alan,

When it comes to interviews, when in doubt, dress up. It's far better to dress one level too high than one level too low!

I definitely recommend a tie.

Furthermore, pretty much all of the rules you can think of that apply to in-person interactions in the profession world are the same as for virtual interactions!

Some key things to remember for video interviews:

  • Make sure you have a strong internet connection
  • Make sure your sound+video work
  • Get multiple monitors so you can look at 3 things at once (1 screen makes thought linear which is tough),
  • Have a good desk space and keep using paper for solving the case,
  • Make sure you'll be in a quiet space with no distractions
  • Still dress for the occasion
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Anonymous A on Oct 21, 2020

Just commenting that in all my MBB interviews (U.S.) this year I was asked to use a single monitor. Interviewers share screen on Zoom to show exhibits (they don't send it to the candidate), so only one can be viewed at a time. So another screen wouldn't be useful, unless for having some cheats up I guess haha but that's probably why they don't want more than one monitor used.

Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 21, 2020
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi Alan,

Even if there is no special requirement for a tie, I would nevertheless recommend you putting it on.

  1. That would not hurt if you do.
  2. In this way, you could demonstrate serious commitment and a professional attitude.

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GB

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Ken gave the best answer

Ken

Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach
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