Feel "Tied" Down in Meetings?

In light of a recent discussion with my Director about meeting etiquette – it sparked a conversation with some really interesting and opposing views.

The big question is : “Should consultants always wear a tie to meetings?”

My initial thought was that they absolutely should wear a tie, out of respect and to display professionalism, which would surely be expected in a meeting?

When I put the question to the team here at Think Recruitment – my mind set shifted slightly. Should we not mirror the approach of our client? If our client has a particularly corporate slant, then a tie should be worn; however, if a particular client takes a more relaxed approach – lose it.

An interesting point of view was raised by our consultants Scott McCormick, Trades and Labour, and backed-up by Kelvin Campbell, Consultancy:

“A gentleman should always wear a tie.” and “…we shouldn’t lose old school traditions in business”.

An opposing view from our Business Development Manager, Damian Collins:

“It depends on the tone of the meeting and if you have met the client before”.

If the meeting in hand is an introduction to the company then a full suit, including tie, was suggested to be of great importance – but if it is a follow up meeting, and a good relationship has already been established, then the tie can be dropped, as long as the rest of the attire remains smart.

Could the decision to completely lose the tie be the first of a downwards spiral however, Sarah Kinsella suggests:

“If we drop the tie, what’s next: the blazer, the shoes?” – which is an interesting point. Where do you draw the line?

It comes down to personal choice and the kind of relationship that you hold with a particular client, but also the type of industry that we work in. Recruitment is considered a very corporate marketplace and I’m sure the vast majority of consultants that attend meetings would never question the idea of wearing a tie and some people would suggest that it finishes the look off nicely and makes the person in question feel more respectable and maybe gives them more confidence.

Put yourself in the situation. As a recruitment consultant, if a candidate came in to interview with you, upon first meeting this candidate – if they did not have a tie on, what would your impression of them be? If they came to meet you again a second time around – would you expect them to wear a tie again?

It’s a subject that has got the conversation going in our office, and an interesting topic. We seem to be shifting into a modern, forward-thinking and innovative way of working – and with that a more comfortable approach to business has been introduced. This in mind, going to back to my original opinion of ties being a must - should we maybe keep an open mind (and collar!?)...