Amazon’s Recruiter Advises Against Wearing Formal Attire for Job Interviews
As workplace dress codes have become more relaxed with the rise of remote work, one of the UK’s largest employers, Amazon, is suggesting that job candidates should skip the traditional suit-and-tie for interviews, calling it a “mistake.”
In a blog post on Amazon’s website, Anna Duong, who manages Americas Stores Tech Talent Acquisition at Amazon, reflects on her own experience of wearing a suit to her interview with the company. She notes that it made her feel neither comfortable nor confident.
While dressing formally for an interview has long been considered essential for making a good impression, the evolving definition of professionalism now challenges this notion. Duong shares, “I should have worn anything but the pantsuit,” acknowledging that the formal attire led to discomfort when she needed to feel at ease.
Duong recalls her recruiter’s advice to dress casually: “Amazon is a casual and come-as-you-are company,” she was told, which could have influenced her choice of attire.
Amazon advocates a “smart casual” dress code and encourages job seekers to wear what makes them comfortable. The company notes that in its corporate offices, everyday clothes are common.
Post-pandemic, many businesses have shifted from formal office attire to more relaxed dress codes, with employees often wearing casual clothing, including tracksuit bottoms and trainers. A report from Retail Week reveals a 67% drop in office wear sales since the pandemic began, contributing to changes in workwear trends.
Even traditionally formal sectors like banking are adjusting their dress codes, with HSBC introducing more comfortable attire options for its employees.
This shift is now affecting recruitment practices, with companies like Amazon emphasizing that they care more about a candidate’s qualifications than their attire. However, some organizations may still expect formal dress codes, so it’s important for companies to clearly communicate their expectations in interview invitations.
For companies with a more relaxed culture, it might be beneficial to align interview dress codes accordingly, ensuring that the hiring process reflects the company’s values of creativity and authenticity.
