<p>My son will be interviewing for a Software Development Engineer internship at Microsoft in Redmond, WA in January. From what I can tell it will be a one day process with 3-6 individual interviews. I assumed that he should wear a suit; however when I look at the Microsoft Careers website under Interviewing Tips they say “Dress comfortably. We are interested in you, not what you wear.” So based on this statement would it be better to wear nice dress slacks and a long sleeve button-up shirt? My son definitely would not consider being dressed in a suit as being “dressed comfortably.” </p>
<p>Thank you in advance for any suggestions you may have.</p>
<p><strong>just noticed the typo in my thread title - sorry</strong>*</p>
<p>So based on this statement would it be better to wear nice dress slacks and a long sleeve button-up shirt? </p>
<p>that should certainly be dressed up enough, as he may be the only one there in a dress shirt. A polar fleece NF jacket over his shirt will make him fit in perfectly.</p>
<p>mathmom - Any idea what your son wore when he went for his interview? My son would love to work at Google someday. He applied for an internship there this fall and received a response that he did not have enough experience yet. He is only a sophmore so I am sure he will apply again next year.</p>
<p>I could ask D’s friends who interned at MSFT what they wore for the interview, but I’m sure I know what they would say. MSFT is located in my backyard… I ride a bus full of Microsofties a few times a week. I see a mix of khakis, jeans, dark slacks… Some dress shirts in addition to company logo polos and tees. My suggestion is to dress business casual: khakis or slacks, long sleeved shirt (probably too chilly for short sleeves here in January), sweater. No suit or tie. And no shoes with tassels (I think I already told my story of buying H’s interview shoes), just decent looking, dark, comfortable shoes (Ecco Seattle would be perfect). Good luck to your son!</p>
<p>BunsenBurner - I was also considering the sweater option. I think he would probably be more comfortable in a sweater than a dress shirt. When he comes home for Christmas break we will have to do a little mother-son bonding at the mall. I was also dreading what a suit would look like by the time it traveled in his suitcase from the heartland of the country to Seattle. I’m sure a sweater will travel a little better. </p>
<p>ps - we don’t have to worry about tassels on his shoes - I don’t think he would be caught dead in them!</p>
<p>I think slacks and a sweater would be fine. However… he should not take this as what he should wear at most companies to interview, unless they are MS or Google… Minimum at most places, even for a software interview, includes a tie.</p>
<p>intparent - He has had other internship interviews this fall where he did wear a suit. I just don’t want him to show up in a suit and have him feel uncomfortable because he is overdressed. There are a few other students in his program that have interviewed and/or received offers from MS. I will have him check with them regarding what most interviewees were wearing.</p>
<p>Make sure the clothes fit properly. Some university age men have a hard time finding properly fitting dress shirts or button down shirts or suits.</p>
<p>Knowing my son he probably wore khakis and a long sleeve plain knit shirt. He might have worn a button up shirt. But I am not convinced he’s worn it since the sophomore year recruitment fairs. He owns a nice blue blazer and left it at home. If it’s chilly I think a nice sweater could dress him up sufficiently. But by all means ask other students what they wore.</p>
<p>Do not wear a suit to a Microsoft interview.</p>
<p>Nice slacks and a button up shirt is fine.</p>
<p>Don’t wear sneakers.</p>
<p>Depending on where he is interviewing in Microsoft (software development vs finance/corporate, etc), the dress standard can become even more relaxed. The software engineers at MS basically wear whatever they want.</p>
<p>He does not need to wear a suit but he SHOULD be dressed better than the people who work there. (After all, they are already employees there - he’s just looking for an internship.) If a suit makes him that uncomfortable, I vote for the long-sleeved shirt and maybe a tie.</p>
<p>When my D interviewed for internships in a much more formal field (accounting), those in the university’s career placement office told her that when interviewing, it was a good idea to dress more formally than she was instructed. Later, after the internship was over, she told me that learning exactly how to dress - especially when meeting with clients - was one of the more valuable things she learned.</p>
<p>I work for a similar tech company and have many friends at places like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo!, Apple, etc. </p>
<p>The only people that wear suits to interviews at these places are people that are interviewing for finance or legal jobs. Most of the people that interview on the engineering side wear anything they want to the interviews (as noted on the Microsoft website and other company websites in the tech space). Honestly, they do not care what you wear to the interview and you will not be “dinged” for being more dressy or completely grungy. There is a guy who works in my building as a software engineer and the guy is a cross dresser…he wears dresses, tutus, etc. no one cares. I would say a safe bet is anything in the middle…jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweater or jeans, a button down and sweater / coat, etc. </p>
<p>Honestly dont stress…seriously no one cares and it wont have any bearing on the outcome of getting the job. </p>
<p>Thank you to everyone for your opinions. It sounds like the concensus is no suit. I will suggest the middle of the road - slacks, button shirt and/or sweater and something other than tennis shoes. </p>
<p>I have my degree in accounting and you definitely wanted to show up for the interview in a suit (and of course that ugly little flower looking bow tie thing) back in the 80’s. I assume these days the accounting interviews still require a suit, but perhaps the requirement for the female bow tie has been lifted :-).</p>
<p>wear something Hawaiin. Seattle, is pretty wet & drab in January. Dress less than a casual friday but more than a monday class. Whatever, have the clothes clean, and pressed.</p>
<p>“Then he comes home for Christmas break we will have to do a little mother-son bonding at the mall.” - Ha, the only way that might happen with DS is if we go see the Muppet Movie.</p>
(I think I already told my story of buying H’s interview shoes), just decent looking, dark, comfortable shoes (Ecco Seattle would be perfect). Good luck to your son!</p>