Is it ok to wear shorts to a job interview given the heat?

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loulabelle20@reddit

I would call ahead and ask, it's polite and more than likely they would agree rather than just turn up in shorts

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Gisschace@reddit

Hmmm it depends on the job, I'd expect someone to be able to figure that would for themselves rather than have to ask permission

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This. Demonstrates that you care about your impression, and are pro active in finding solutions. It sounds like lame, cringe corporate speak, but humans tend to respond positively to this sort of thing. For example, how likely is it you help someone when they ask for it, compared to them being quiet about it?

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ginger_ink@reddit

No. Get there early, give yourself time to cool off before interview. Is there a coffee shop or Tesco or something nearby where you can go and get some aircon. Take something to wipe sweat off your brow. First impressions count. Don't go fully suited but at least wear a decent shirt and trousers, even chino's are better than shorts.

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Gisschace@reddit

You can even go there in something else and change in Tesco's toilets - take a shirt in a shirt bag, then stuff it all into another bag, leave that bag at reception

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knightsbridge-@reddit

If it's for an office job, then no, don't wear shorts. The interview will be in an air conditioned building anyway. If it's a manual job, I doubt they'd care.

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jaynoj@reddit

Every "air conditioned" office I've worked in has failed miserably whenever the outside temp has gone over 25deg.

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StaticUsernamesSuck@reddit

Depends on the industry though. I'm a software dev and I wore (professional enough Oxford-style) shorts to my summer interview for my first job post graduating, and got the job. Frankly, part of the reason I wore them was that my *previous* non-tech job had been very draconian about the dress code and I decided I'd rather know from the get-go that dressing for summer is acceptable at the new job. Dress for the job you want? Well I want a job where I can bloody wear shorts!

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CowseraEbok96@reddit

I kind of feel the same way.

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wakou2@reddit

In Paris or Milan, "posh" tailored shorts are acceptable in a professional setting. But men in those places also have the right socks and shoes and... attitudes! Be on the safe side and endure the heat for an hour or two!

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ViscountGris@reddit

Smart shorts with nice socks and no trainers and a polo shirt and an explanation on arrival about the heat is all fine. Cargo shorts, trainers with white socks and a t shirt and I’m not even starting the interview.

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Fair_Condition_1460@reddit

For those of us who don't understand, could you please elaborate? Where I work, office job, the dress code is whatever because it does not matter. All roles, all levels of seniority. True of interviews, too. One candidate turned up on first Zoom interview in a suit at home and it threw me for a few minutes, honestly. Who is this fake personality? We hire for brains not threads. If someone trudgedd in for interview in trousers, flustered and sweating I would think they are spineless and/or an idiot for not wearing shorts, or simply getting a taxi - both not exactly desirable traits. Sincerely, a person with sensory issues and owns only plain thsirts and hoodies

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ViscountGris@reddit

I think we’re saying the same thing. I’m just saying take the middle ground of making a bit of effort and letting people know you’re in shorts because it’s hot. If you turned up looking like you didn’t care then I wouldn’t proceed. That’s based on someone not showing good judgement and turning up like they’re hanging out at a skate park. I wouldn’t advise anyone to do that no matter how hot it is.

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Fair_Condition_1460@reddit

Fair enough. Attitude counts, offer a handshake rather than a chin raise. Same outfit, completely different impact.

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Dead_Bones001@reddit

Can you go in shorts but change into trousers when you get there? Call them and ask the receptionist if there is a toilet you can use before you go into the interview. Otherwise go up a side street and put trousers on over the shorts.

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FuzzyDuck81@reddit

Go there in your shorts and a tshirt, take a bag with shirt (or polo shirt at the least) and trousers with you plus a towel. Roll them, don't fold. Arrive 15mins early, then meeting the receptionist find where the toilets are, towel off, apply deoderant & change. The shirt and trousers might not look perfect, but you'll be clean, dry and as smart as is reasonable under the circumstances. The fact you made that effort shows you're serious & conscientious.

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TapWaterDev@reddit

How bad do you need the job? I'd be inclined to say wear your shorts and if they decline you because of that, you don't want to work there anyway.

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cooky561@reddit

Depending on the job they probably have an air conditioned office and will expect a person wearing a suit, or similar professional dress. If it's for warehouse or construction work, or it's a small company, they might be less concerned.

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baggsie_42@reddit

Do people still wear suits? If you turned up for an interview in my industry (tech) I’d probably think you were taking the piss…

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Vequihellin@reddit

I'm in tech too and if a candidate turned up in a suit that would be a tick in the 'well presented' box. I certainly wouldn't be discounting them as 'taking the piss'. Not wearing a suit or formal office appropriate clothing to an interview makes you look like you don't care about the interview or even respect the business you're applying to. It doesn't have to be full 3 piece suit but I expect my interviewees to put some effort into their presentation. They should be wearing something formal and office appropriate. In this heat, trousers and a short sleeved shirt would be appropriate. No tie is necessary. Shorts are not really appropriate for an interview. They should be wearing appropriate footwear too - not sandals or trainers or flip-flops. I would recommend OP finds a place to get changed near the interview location and wears lighter clothing for the walk.

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baggsie_42@reddit

Granted I’ve only interviewed developers where business-casual is standard interview clobber. One of the best devs I’ve ever worked with wore an old Kraftwerk T-shirt to his interview!

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Certain-Pass-6551@reddit

Guess it depends on the sector and the seniority of the role, I've worked in the public sector for 15 years across various departments and I'd certainly expect someone interviewing for an office job to have smart shoes, suit trousers and a smart ironed shirt at the very least. I always go suit and tie my self but I'm in a small minority from the many many interview panels I've been on.

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GrumpyOldFart74@reddit

If you turned up for an interview in my tech company (I work there, I’m not the owner) not wearing at least smart shirt and trousers, I think you’d have zero chance. Not saying I agree with it, but it’s true, and certainly of several other large companies.

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Agreeable_Guard_7229@reddit

I think you’ll find this is specific to tech. Most other industries would expect smart dress for an interview. We have many people coming in suits to interview for a factory job

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Bayff@reddit

I thought this had stopped too & I don’t work in tech. Only people that wear suits are lawyers, bankers and estate agents.

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confusing_roundabout@reddit

In my experience at a tech company, almost all applicants wear suits. At a minimum a dress shirt, smart trousers and often a tie.

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Hot-Butterscotch3229@reddit (OP)

Hey it’s for a housing agency

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Acceptable_Bunch_586@reddit

I’d wear shorts on the way and change just before you get there, find a costa with a loo

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Ok-Yogurtcloset3467@reddit

I dont think so. Maybe turn up early in shorts and loose top and change in toilets before the interview. That way you avoid being sweaty or smelly. Plus there will be AC in the office. You'll be fine once indoors.

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peppermint_aero@reddit

Came here to suggest this - walk there in shorts and change somewhere? Arrive 20m early to give yourself time to change and cool off?

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DescentNext@reddit

Not if it's a job with any sort of dress code or even slightly formal, no.

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Megacityone1@reddit

Get some linen trousers! Game changer

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Temporary-Zebra97@reddit

Do not wear shorts. I did some interviews yesterday, 2 British candidates and 1 American, I have two roles to fill. On paper all great candidates. 2 UK candidates suited and booted, joined Teams 2 mins before the start, answered all questions giving plenty of examples and sticking to the STAR technique. US candidate rocked up 10 minutes late with IT issues, then couldn't unmute himself and was wearing Hawaiian shirt, shorts and smoking a fat cigar, and his answers were basically a variant of yeah can do that, have done that before, happy to do it again. Held a debrief with the other 2 US interviewers afterwards, and they were like damn we wanted the Florida guy on paper but you Brits make the choice easy, offer them the jobs.

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BigReference1xx@reddit

Take the clothes with you, go to a cafe near the location and change just before the interview. I did this multiple times when interviewing in London during heatwaves - I hate wearing a suit, and I'm a big guy who sweats a lot 😛

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No-Department-4561@reddit

I think it shows initiative and willingness to “think outside the box”. Don’t forget to wear flip flops as well.

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Hot-Butterscotch3229@reddit (OP)

Thanks but I was actually thinking crocs

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Able_Resident_1291@reddit

A hat with corks around the rim

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pinpoint321@reddit

Honestly a few people have said it depends on what the job is but I think it depends on how much you want the job. If it’s office work then a suit and even a tie is a must regardless of their dress code. If it’s something more casual I’d still be looking at smart casual. It’s all about showing that you’re serious about wanting the job and shorts just don’t say that no matter how hot it is.

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DrHydeous@reddit

Nonsense. In 25 years of office work I wore a suit and tie to work in the first year only, because Lloyds of London has (had?) stupid rules. I didn't even own a suit for the last 20 years of office work and yet have had no trouble getting work. Ties are for weddings and funerals only.

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joe_ally@reddit

\> If it’s office work then a suit and even a tie is a must regardless of their dress code. This is utter nonsense. I haven't been to an interview in a suit since I was a naïve graduate following my mums advice. Go in the official work dress code.

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Wd91@reddit

Bonus points if you can turn up in company branded uniforms. Really show them your dedication.

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Agreeable_Guard_7229@reddit

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Objective_Mousse7216@reddit

Where I worked shorts were not allowed for men even if it was 50 deg c. Woman could wear as little as they wanted however.

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WizardButtholes@reddit

No employers want you to suffer

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Alice_Da_Cat@reddit

One job I worked in around 10 years ago declared the men were not allowed to wear shorts as it looked unprofessional, it was mid heat wave, we had all been suffering but of course the men more so as they had to wear suit pants no matter what - Two of them turned up in skirts the day after 🤣🤣 The shorts ban was swiftly lifted after this!

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DrHydeous@reddit

Yes. Anyone who objects to that and holds it against you is the sort of cunt who you don't want to work for anyway.

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Agreeable_Guard_7229@reddit

That’s a great attitude to have if you desperately need a job 🙄

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DrHydeous@reddit

They said it's for a summer job. There are plenty of temp jobs available. A good rule of thumb is if you would wear it to visit your grandparents, you can wear it to an interview.

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desertcanyons@reddit

I would probably take the ball sweat over getting immediately pied off by the interviewers

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Historical_Cobbler@reddit

Ball deodorant is the bollocks for solving this.

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Lonely_Fly3524@reddit

Wear a cool dress. Sleeveless is fine in this heat. I wouldn’t wear shorts. If you’re walking I would wear shorts to walk and change very closeby

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whizzzzzzz@reddit

Nope, be smarter than you need. Some will take offence at an interview, you might be able to get away with it afterwards. If you do, you will be known after the interview by the panel as "the shorts chap", and thats not a huge enforcement / reflection of your skills and abilities.

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PHayesxx@reddit

It really depends. Have you spoken to the person - do they seem formal or quite casual? With a lot of jobs such as the one you’ve described the interview is actually just a ‘moron check’ where they chat you through what you might be doing and make sure you’re not a complete idiot. My first job was similar to this, I went in a suit and the woman commented I’d gone very formal, it was the most ‘relaxed’ interview ever, just got shown round and they took a copy of my passport and national insurance number.

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BoopingBurrito@reddit

Unfortunately its absolutely the sort of thing some interviewers would hold against you.

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Rude-Possibility4682@reddit

3 other people turned up for a job interview I went for a few summers ago. It was boiling, I had chinos on, the other two wore shorts. I got the job. My interviewer thanked me for making an effort.

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BoopingBurrito@reddit

Yep. And honestly the same can hold true even in not roasting weather. I went for a summer retail job as a student. Big group assessment day, load of bullshit. 30 or so of us in the room. I was the only one in a suit, and one of only half a dozen or so wearing a shirt. During the brief solo interview I had, the interviewer thanked me for looking like I was taking the opportunity seriously. I got the job. The 3 other folk that got hired from that interview day were folk who'd turned up in shirts.

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Snoo-56844@reddit

Honestly, I am on interview panels at my organisation and if someone walked in wearing shorts because it is 32 degrees outside, I wouldn't even care. If you wore a full suit, or covered up your whole body, my immediate comment to break the ice would be "You must be absolutely boiling. Would you like some water?" But I am 30 years old and I guess fit the modern criteria of interviewers.

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Consistent-Candle873@reddit

This would be me but also i wouldnt take the risk if being interviewed. Id have shorts and a tshirt packed and getting into them asap

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Kid_Kimura@reddit

Depends how much you want to look like Angus Young

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Whosentyounow@reddit

I love Angus Young

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sgch@reddit

Call them and ask - they'll tell you.

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MattSR30@reddit

Are you able to get a taxi or an Uber?

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Jenny-Wren54@reddit

The problem is 1) first impressions and 2) your competition. It would be completely reasonable to work in shorts in that kind of job in this weather, but you don't want their first impression of you to be someone who didn't bother to dress up for a job interview. You need to stand out from your competition, but the worst way to do this is by looking less prepared than them.

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MiddleAgedDread123@reddit

absolutely not, even if it was a job interview for a postman and they always wear shorts! Is there anywhere nearby with public toilets you could change in?

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KaylinT01@reddit

Phone box go Clark Kent style

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GrimQuim@reddit

Undies over trousers?

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KaylinT01@reddit

If someone turns up looking like that I’m bumping them up the list because the confidence/insanity is too intriguing to pass up

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Hot_Recognition_4864@reddit

Shorts with a shirt in a dressy way i feel makes men look like school kids

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Jimny977@reddit

Suck it up for a few hours, it isn’t worth it to chance.

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TicksAndBricks@reddit

No. Definitely not.

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No_Chemist2922@reddit

Which industry? If it's office work I doubt you're gonna get a pass

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Bayff@reddit

Surely it depends on the office, most offices have casual wear now

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Longjumping_Deal6289@reddit

Walk there in shorts and t-shirt, get changed in a public toilet nearby before the interview.

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Wd91@reddit

Just depends on the interviewers in question. Some might mind, some might not. Either hedge your bets and wear the trousers, or accept that if they turn you down because you wore shorts in record setting heat levels then they probably aren't good people to work with/for anyway.

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tup99@reddit

I would take an umbrella

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Jpmoz999@reddit

Wear a kilt?

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Boboshady@reddit

Personally I think stick with trousers over shorts anyway, but I do come from an era when you wore a suit to an interview even if the resulting job would see you working in overalls and shovelling dirt. Also - It shouldn't matter, but it probably will - are you male or female? I feel that females can pull off shorts more formally than males can. I simply can't imagine business casual extending to shorts, and that's as informal as I'd go. Personally, anyway.

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TwaddleSpouter@reddit

Walk there in shorts, change into trousers when you get there.

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caspararemi@reddit

I think for a job interview I'd always go at least smart-casual. Get black linen trousers if you need to, or bring normal ones and find somewhere to change nearby (a coffee shop bathroom or something). Even if everyone in there is wearing shorts, you want to show up looking professional.

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Tasty-Committee-8172@reddit

Wear shorts under your suit and whip the suit off as you get up to leave the interview. They will respect that.

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CoffeeIgnoramus@reddit

Depends, but a safer alternative are linen trousers. M&S tend to sell smart linen trousers. I work in Japan in summer and it's nightmare, but linen everything is worth the investment if you need to be smart and cool.

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k0n3kt@reddit

Shorts are fine if you don't want the job 😆

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TheAnxiousPangolin@reddit

I wouldn’t personally. Dress how you normally would and get a taxi to the interview location. You can always take something to change into for your walk home, or get another taxi home and then wear something else.

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No_Release2180@reddit

I wish I could say yes, because I don't think clothing reflects someone's ability to do a job. It's such a pointless, outdated notion. The whole concept of 'workwear' is obnoxious imo. But, unfortunately, I think it has the potential of giving the wrong impression. If you really want the job and aren't willing to risk it for your pride and comfort - id just suck it up and wear the trousers. It won't make a huge difference in how hot you are. Maybe wear shorts until you get closer and change into trousers near to the venue if you can.

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No_Pollution_950@reddit

Maybe take some trousers to change into when you are nearby or get a taxi.

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Wise-Independence487@reddit

No. Wear shorts there and get changed when you get there. Just ask the reception and say I’ve walked here no way I could do that in trousers, instant rapport conversation.

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pjwlondon@reddit

Summer back-office clerical job in a student housing agency? If I were the employer, I 'd only worry if the overall impression was of sloppiness, unreliability or unpunctuality. Shorts in hot weather wouldn't be an issue for me (assuming we're not talking anything too garish or revealing). But as a self-protection, I like the idea of asking them beforehand: it might give you some brownie points for seriousness and consideration.

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Resipsa100@reddit

Not being difficult but core professionals need to look the part ie no track suit or gym wear.It’s worth making the effort especially if you can’t be sure of the age of the interviewer

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PipBin@reddit

Put a skirt on.

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MuffinWalloper@reddit

Will shorts make much of a difference to your comfort in this heat compared to trousers? It’s only your lower leg being exposed, it’s your torso that is going to be the hottest 🤷🏼‍♀️

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Automatic-Base2301@reddit

Shorts with a shirt and tie?

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petiweb5@reddit

If its an interview for being a postie - yes. In all other cases - no.

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Wooshsplash@reddit

How much do you want the job? Your answer will be in that question.

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Prestigious_Sand1978@reddit

I wouldn’t wear black, but I would wear trousers. Black is going to make you hotter.

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Fish_Minger@reddit

Personally I'd say no.

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Ricky_Martins_Vagina@reddit

Fuck it - only one way to find out. You could either be that guy with no respect for dress codes, or you could be that guy who isn't afraid to take risks 🤷🏻‍♂️

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olid@reddit

I would have personally said I don't want to work for someone that would penalise me for wearing smart shorts in a heatwave. But then maybe I'm fortunate in being able to be that picky.

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dimesdan@reddit

Either ask them or arrive a bit earlier wearing the shorts and change into some trousers while freshening up before the interview.

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Emergency_Wealth7778@reddit

You'll have to suck this one up. Take something to change into after

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idontlikemondays321@reddit

It’s silly but some people are old fashioned. Any chance you can put some trousers in a bag and get changed somewhere close by?

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Questjon@reddit

Depends on the job. If it's something where your personal presentation is going to be a factor in your success at the job then yeah you probably want to wear the suit. If it's not then any good interviewer wouldn't care what you're wearing as long as you're comfortable and interview well.

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EyeAware3519@reddit

No. Get a taxi!

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kamrankazemifar@reddit

I’m think it depends a lot on the job, if it was for a fintech company I would say no, but if it was for a warehouse job I’d say yes.

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