[riteshmisra]

What should you wear on the dat of your civil services interview?

[khabardar]

Many officers have told me many things, but I think that the basic crux of what they all said was:

1. It is better to be "too formal" than "too informal".
2. Dark suit + light shirt + dark tie.
3. Suit: Black, Dark Blue, Pinstripe.
4. Shirt: White, Light blue, No checks, prints or stripes.
5. Tie: Solid colour, nothing "shiny", no bold prints, preferably just plain.
6. Black leather shoes with socks that match the colour of trousers.
7. Belt should match the colour of shoes (black). No big buckles etc.

I think that the safest combination would be a nice black suit, white shirt, dark maroon tie, black leather belt, black shoes and black socks.

Well, those are my 2 paise worth of thoughts.

[Latha Ramesh]

For female candidates, i think the following would suite.

1. Simple cotton saree, well ironed, colour - that suits their complexion but should not be too gaudy.
2. Cotton Salwar
3. Simple earings, bangles, chains that dont dangle.
4. Foot wear or cut-shoes that dont make noise.
5. Dark formal pants, light color formal shirts, suits(optional) and Black shoes.

Any corrections, suggestions welcome.

[kushal]

I will limit myself to 'His'.

Wearing a suit during this summer is not advisable, as the waiting room is still very hot. And just before entering the room, you need to wait for say 10 minutes outside the door, which is not at all a cool place to hang around

• A black is a formal wear and especially suited during night parties.

• White shirt and black pant is again contrast colors and does not go with day's formals.

Advice:

1. Do not shave in the morning of the day of interview. One tend to shave extra, and may land up in bruise, cuts, and summer rashes.
2. Wearing a tie after an immediate shave is not a comfortable thing.
3. So, shave a night before the exam, except off course you have excessive fast growth.
4. Do not have haircut a day before the exam, make is a week before so that you have buffer for any late cuts.
5. Make a general cleansing, like nails cutting, teeth whitening, nose and ear hair trimming and stuff like that.
6. If you plan to use a new clothes during the day of interview, make sure you wear at least twice and thrice so the clothes get comfortable.
7. Do not use pure cotton, as it looses it's crease too fast, and if your serial in interview is late, then surely you would look as if coming from a desert safari ride.
8. Use a shade of color combination, like a light brown shirt, to dark brown trowser. You may experiment with your color choice.
9. Polish your shoes, and make sure you are having a lace shoes.
10. Do not use a horse tapping shoes, nor a completely slimy one on the sole. one tend to make you an army Jawan, and the other as a creepy grouchy duck.
11. If you use heel, make sure it is firmly hidden by the length of your trouser.
12. If you wear specks, make sure it is completely clean of dust. Do not use contact on the day if you are not habitual.
13. If you wear too many rings, be ready to know them why are you wearing them. Safely; they should be pretty less in number.
14. Wear a more traditional watch, and the strap should not be loose. The leather strap carry well with a tie and leather belt. The steel strap goes well with steel glass frame, buckle prominent belt, American styled half shirt.
15. Do not wear a half shirt with a tie. It's an American office way.
16. Do not put any papers (especially colored pages) over your shirt pocket.
17. Do keep a hand towel and handkerchiefs. Throw the towel before you enter the room though!
18. Use a classy pen neatly tucked over right side of the upper left pocket of the shirt.
19. Always make a double knot of the tie and if you are married, keep the tie length below the belt, and if not; up to the level of the belt.
20. Use a Tie pin to keep the tie in place and tuck it at the level of 3rd button.
21. Before entering the room, there is refreshment room in the corridor. Walk-in to check your attire, the tie, and give a last smile to yourself before you plunge

[Latha Ramesh]

Kushal Sir,

I never knew guys should care so... much for interviews.
Esp - point no 19, difference between tie length in the belt level and below it )
This difference in tie length is specific to any country - say India/Asia or all over the world this is the way formal tie has to be worn?

[chanda_s]

kushal has given an exhaustive chec ist of what is to be worn on the day of interview.
my practical experience is that some candidates tend to overdo their make up. a lot of male candidates appear in suit or blazer, which not only is uncomfortable in the hot summer months of delhi but also is a sure indicator that one is out to impress with looks.
Personally i feel any dark coloured trousers like darker shades of grey, brown, even black. but do avoid the greens and pinks of govinda. shirt could be a light coloured one to suit the colour of thetrousers like white, cream, light blue. thin stripes(vertical ofcource) or small checks also give a decent look. big checks, horizontal stripes, contrast coloured collar and cuffs, bright logos of the maufacturer etc are best avoided.
a tie, if that makes one comfortable may be worn that suits the colour of the shirt. again avoid arunlal type ties with bright flowers etc. tie pin may also be as inconspicuous as possible, below the third button or wherever.
all this add up in making you feel slightly more confident and atleast dont generate a negative impression with the board at the first sight.
if you have a cold, keep the hand kerchief ready in your hand. you may not always have time to take it out from your pocket when you need to sneeze. i'm sure you wouldn't like to run the risk of wetting your chairperson allover.
neatly polish your shoes before you leave. do carry a tissue paper with you so that you can wipe off the dust likely to settle on your shoes from the dusty roads of delhi. use it a few minutes beore you are to get in.
just make sure your mouth doesnt smell bad; you'll reduce in confidence. for those who have sticky and sweaty palms, my advice is that you wash your hands with soap before you go in. this way your hands dont get wet very soon.
preferably dont oil your hair like youll empty the one litre pack in one go.(especially south indians like me) wash your hair atlest one day before the interview and if the hair is too loose for comfort you may apply hair cream slightly.
and for gods sake use deoderant if you feel you could smell bad. you sure dot want to be got rid off early by the board.
dont forget to trim your moustache if you sport one. and cut any protruding hair from your nose and ears.(they only look good on ministers)

but remember, what ultimately matters is your real performance in the interview. the outer looks only help to an extent and unless supported by real stuff within, they are not of much use. you are not going there to kill the board members with your looks right?

[kushal]

Now for 'her'.
Latha you had suggested all most all what should be worn. Here is the vetted list from some 'lady Officers' and off course my Wife.

1. Cotton saree is good for all, but for those who are on slightly bigger built, plain saree with border or with very small prints. The material should be draping one like Georgette, crape.
2. If you are not in a habit of wearing Saree, then practice wearing the same from at least 10 days (5-7 wears)
3. New clothes should be tested 2-3 times by wearing them.
4. Since the interview is during summer, the neck line of blouse should not be high collar or full sleeve.
5. Prefer plain blouses with no loop works e.t.c.
6. If wearing suite, prefer plain suite with plain or printed duppatta. A fitted suite is preferable, but it depends upon the comfort level.
7. Small hairs should be well cut.
8. Big Hairs, should be with pony tail, plait or a neck Jooda.
9. Prefer black rubber for plait.
10. Light makeup, a little kazal, bindi, natural lipstick is enough.
11. The jewellery's suggestion of Latha is good. I will repeat for cohesiveness: Simple earrings, bangles, chains that don't dangle.
12. If you sweat too much over face, at least for 10 days rub ice cubes all over your face, especially upper lip. Keep a clean absorb able hanky along with during the interview.
13. Prefer not to have a nail polish, or a natural polish.
14. Latha has told about the shoes and sandals. I will add to it- No Pencil heal, use block heal.
15. Do not wear heal if you have not so before.
16. And as for 'his', before entering the room, there is refreshment room in the corridor. Walk-in to check your attire, and give a last smile to yourself before you plunge

[kushal]

ok! Guys, this very important thread I had compiled it as an article here:

http://www.indianofficer.com/forums/...e&articleid=11

I had added the due credit to those who contributed to it.

Regards,

Kushal

[kushal]

Originally Posted by Latha Ramesh

Kushal Sir,

I never knew guys should care so... much for interviews.
Esp - point no 19, difference between tie length in the belt level and below it )
This difference in tie length is specific to any country - say India/Asia or all over the world this is the way formal tie has to be worn?

Not sure about it's cultural relevance, an anthropology student might throw some light.

[riteshmisra]

Excellent contributions from one and all.
I feel like the candidate who said in his speech, i have nothing to say for my previous speakers have said it all,
only one point to reiterate, suit in delhi summer is avoidable, and secondly be particular about your belt and shoes, these are important accessories