Are people this stupid?

[Wheezer]

It takes 30 seconds to make a first impression.

That first 30 seconds is what people will remember first when they discuss you and your qualifications after the interview.

If you don't care enough to at least attempt to dress appropriately for the interview that speaks volumes to an employer as to how serious you are wanting a job with them and also is an indicator of how you will approach your job in the future.

Like it or not, that is the way it is.

 

[RichUK]

I couldn?t imagine attending an interview without wearing a suite.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Appearance is EVERYTHING. It's probably the most important because it is how you are perceived and what the first impression you make. Perception is reality.

I remember walking around during an interview and somebody came up to the guy interviewing me and said "who's the suit, what's he selling?" I quickly answered "myself".

I usually strive for companies that try to sell themselves to me to work for them.

 

[crystal]

Originally posted by: theplaidfad

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: theplaidfad
You should always dress nice for an interview, reguardless of where it is. This "matching the environment" stuff is hogwash.

Maybe if you are going to be working in a cubicle... Try coming to a power/chemical/refining plant in a suit and dress shoes. You can't even tour the facility, much less do any hands on testing.

this is true

my interview for my current job required me to wear steeltoes and stated in bold NO TIE

I'm sorry, but I think it is a complete different situation if you're TOLD what to wear on your interview. I stand by what I said. I work in a "cubicle" now, but 6 years ago when I interviewed at a car motor oil packaging plant, I dressed up. I got the job, the three other slouches that were there didn't.

Yup, your dress up got you that job. Who needs communication/talents/skills when what you dress is all you need.

 

[BigDH01]

You guys are nuts. I think people get so wrapped up in "selling themselves" that they forget to *be* themselves. An interview is not just for the company to review your skills, it's for you to review the company. The road goes both ways. If a company would judge me based solely on how I look, then I don't want them.

This reminds me of my fiance who once tried to give me her elevator speech. I hadn't even heard of this until she said something (btw, it's a small speech that you're supposed to be able to give in the length of an elevator ride just in case you happened to get on an elevator with an executive). I couldn't let her finish because it made me sick. The idea that you could cram every important thing about who you are into three minutes is not only retarded but insulting. And I'm sure any executive would love to get stuck on an elevator with what basically amounts to an over-agressive salesman for three minutes.

There is a multi-billion dollar a year industry designed to coach people into getting jobs. They teach you how to "sell yourself" and "elaborate" on your resume. It's all BS. They are also responsible for those stupid personality tests that try to tell you who you are by categorizing you into neat little letters. They don't tell you that you'll often fall into a different letter depending on the time of day when you take the test. Just being myself (usually with no suit) has always worked for me.


My experiences in case anyone is wondering...

I just graduated with my Master's and have had five interviews for various positions in the last two years. The first was with an IT company. I wore khakis and a button down shirt. I rejected their offer because it was too low for me. The next company flew me out to Madison where I wore business casual and black tennis shoes. I also rejected that offer because my school (where I was then working) offered me a P&S position with grad school. Last year I had the final two interviews. In one, the executives from the local office came and met me for lunch. I wore khakis and a button down shirt (which I later found out had a huge hole in the sleeve). They offered me the job. After I had been offered that job, I flew down to TAMU to interview for more grad school. I wore khakis and a polo (wasn't tucked in) with tennis shoes. I was offered a full ride (their largest scholarship available). In all of these circumstances, I didn't try to "sell myself" and was probably the least formally dressed person there. I simply asked the interviewers sincere questions about the company (or school) and told them what I wanted to do with my education. Not once did I ever say, "I'm the best for this position because..." Imagine how many other interviewees sit there and go on and on about how great they are like they are selling CutCo Cutlery. I say, if you want to be stand out these days, why don't you just talk to the interviewer like they are a real person. I think they'll appreciate your candor more than a suit or cheap sales talk.

Think about it like this. If you're interviewing, they already bought your resume. In the interview, you just have to show them that you're someone they want to work with and you have to determine if you want to work with them. A suit is most likely not going to change that one way or the other. In fact, most people are probably more "personable" without a suit.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: BigDH01
You guys are nuts. I think people get so wrapped up in "selling themselves" that they forget to *be* themselves.

**Stuff**

:thumbsup:

This is one of the biggest pitfalls that people run across. Obviously this does not mean that one should try to look their best, but to concentrate too much on the "selling" part is not the best way to sell yourself as funny as that sounds.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: K1052
If I was doing the hiring physical appearance/dress would be about the last criteria in mind.

I've seen too much shit wrapped in pretty packages to be easily swayed.

Or as a bartender I met in Seattle said, "Though the monkey wears a dress, it is still a monkey." :laugh:

 

[Tim]

Originally posted by: crystal

Originally posted by: theplaidfad

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Originally posted by: theplaidfad
You should always dress nice for an interview, reguardless of where it is. This "matching the environment" stuff is hogwash.

Maybe if you are going to be working in a cubicle... Try coming to a power/chemical/refining plant in a suit and dress shoes. You can't even tour the facility, much less do any hands on testing.

this is true

my interview for my current job required me to wear steeltoes and stated in bold NO TIE

I'm sorry, but I think it is a complete different situation if you're TOLD what to wear on your interview. I stand by what I said. I work in a "cubicle" now, but 6 years ago when I interviewed at a car motor oil packaging plant, I dressed up. I got the job, the three other slouches that were there didn't.

Yup, your dress up got you that job. Who needs communication/talents/skills when what you dress is all you need.

Wow... bite me. I'm sure the other guys had the same qualifications that I had. In case you missed the point, it's all about the first impression.

 

[alkemyst]

I will say you can be a star, but if your looks go too far out of the norm no matter what you do you will be looked at 'funny'.

I grew a fu-man-chu beard and my hair out....looked right in place on the weekends out on the water boating...but people started commenting as when you do well you tend to reach out more and more to new people.

A lot of people questioned my talent at first glance even though I had a major track record of successes.

 

[theblackbox]

my last interview, with the software company i spent the last 8 years working at before i semi retired, i interviewed in jeans and a tshirt. I think the dog and pony show of dressing up for interviews is just downright silly. All the pomp and circumstance just for a few hours so they can see you for what you imagine yourself to be. you start to work and the image is down the drain.
i'm no genius and right now i am only earning what my money market, savings, and investments are earning as i travel around the country in my rv with the wife. We worked hard, made the right choices in running a small business, and walked away from it well off. I'll probably go back to work when i hit 40 though.
I don't think i'll dress up for that interview, either.

 

[alkemyst]

since you are mentioning your 'small business', I'd say those 8 years working for someone else was just a fill in.

If you are recommending since you are now retired prior to 40 and you recommend everyone to just show up to their interviews in jeans and a t-shirt then you are a total moron and show count your blessings you won life's lottery.

Saying you'll 'probably' go back to work is telling all of us you have already failed.

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: princess ida

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
I plan to dress like these guys at my next interview. Because looks matter.

I'll bet that runty little guy in the front row never got hired for anything. Probably had to start his own company or something. Looks like a school dropout. Loser.

:laugh:

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
I just show up in fatigues, a wife beater and strapped with my glock. Never not been hired.

:laugh:

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I had my first real job interview in a long time yesterday evening. Since it was a corporate position and a corporate position, I wore black dress pants, nice gray collared shirt and a nice tie. I polished my shoes up, shaved and combed my hair. All in all, I looked very sharp.

As I'm waiting on the area for my contact to call me back, I observed the other applicants for other position, only one of which was dressed similar to me. One was dressed in jeans and a simple tee shirt. A few others wore collared shirts, but they obviously weren't pressed, and possible weren't washed. Another individual 's khaki pants were several sizes too big for him and his belt had the effect that occurs when pants are grossly over sized.

A Wednesday, when I went to a large career expo, the majority of people were dressed just as poorly. Particularly, the younger people, were dressed in more street casual clothing. Not to say there were all dressed like crap because there were a few dressed sharp, but most were dressed in very casual clothing, jeans and tee shirts.

Even before I was coached, I knew that I'd have to dress decently, and likely have to go the extra mile to stand out.

Those of you who've had many job interviews, do you see this a lot?

Have only had three interviews in my life and all three times I got the job.

First one was when I was 17 and hired as a bakers assistant. They specifically told me to dress down. They wanted clean jeans and a t-shirt.
2nd was at a hiring conference in a nice hotel. and the headhunter agency told me to not overdo it. I wore a nice shirt, khakis and sport coat, also had dress shoes. My agent told me I almost overdid it and could have blown the interview. It was with a bunch of engineers and they prefer work casual. A guy in a pretty suit doesnt normally give the impression of a hard workers (in the engineering community).

3rd interview was similar. My agent told me to keep it simple. It was at the company and the interviewers would be stepping out of their offices briefly to talk with me.
Even with the polo shirt, khakis and Vans I was a little overdressed.


A good tip I got during Transition class when I left the Navy was:
Call up and talk to the secretary or receptionist. They can give you a very good idea of what to do and (more importantly) what not to do.
You generally dont want to overdress but you never want to underdress.
I have a nice navy blue pinstripe that I will probably never wear at any job or interview. Its likely all my interviews in life will be conducted with some sort of engineer and they just want you to look decent, not fancy.

 

[theblackbox]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
since you are mentioning your 'small business', I'd say those 8 years working for someone else was just a fill in.

If you are recommending since you are now retired prior to 40 and you recommend everyone to just show up to their interviews in jeans and a t-shirt then you are a total moron and show count your blessings you won life's lottery.

Saying you'll 'probably' go back to work is telling all of us you have already failed.

nope. i'm not suggesting anyone do anything. just relating my experience. I just think the whole system is a joke, just like going to interviews within a company you already work for, and dressing up.
i Will go back to work as my wife is a diabetic(type I) and thanks to the insurance companies and their wonderful policies, she is a high risk to insure. I worked for the software company to provide insurance for my wife, since as a small business we really couldn't justify a GOOD health plan. You should see what the premiums are each month for a high risk. Kust because you have money doesn't mean you want to throw it away. So if you think taking care of my wife is failing, then i must be a huge failure.
I won't be working though until we find a new state to live in. We have been on the road since 06. We might buy a new house in colorado this year, or if we can't find anything, spend more time on the road.

As far as being a moron, i "show count your blessings" every day. I don't believe in a lifes lottery. I worked for everything i ever earned. We spent a lot of time and energy making a small business prosper. Thats the difference.

 

[ppdes]

Wearing casual is a good way to weed out stuffy employers I wouldn't want to work for anyway.

 

[waggy]

I wear a Suit IF i don't know the company's atmosphere. if i know its a laid back place then yeah I'm not going ot break out a nice suit for it. if its a place i really don't know then yeah i wear a suit.

oddly the best interview i had was one where i came in wearing jeans/nice polo shirt. it was a spur of the moment type interview. i just happened ot be in the area and looking for a job.


"I think people get so wrapped up in "selling themselves" that they forget to *be* themselves"

very true. i have hired people who talk a great interview but when working they are very different.

 

[manlymatt83]

2/3 job interviews I have been on in the past year - if I wore a suit, they wouldn't have hired me. Strict rule.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
During the interview process, I wear a suit and tie every time. Even if the dress code is casual or business casual. It just shows your professionalism, and a suit will command more respect than someone wearing jeans or khakis.

Same for me. All the jobs I have interviewed at I wear a full suit with a tie. But they are all business casual places and I still wear a full suit when the weather is not raining outside. It just looks better and I hang the jacket up anyway. I. Ould get away with a polo top as it says iris fine but no one in my department wears one, and I'd look like a bum!

I can see for other jobs it maybe different but for most fields play it safe and roll with a suit. And btw a grey shirt? I always wear a White shirt and then go a bit crazy once I have the job with loud shirts and ties

Koing

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven
I believe Reader's Digest compiled a list of serious job interview faux pas at one time. A few of the worst were the interviewer coming in to find the candidate with their feet up on the interviewer's desk, a candidate taking a cell phone call during the interview, and a candidate having a pizza delivered to him during the interview. Nothing like a practical demonstration of your multi-tasking skill!

Sloppy dressing was on the list too, one guy showing up for an interview with a financial institution or something along those lines while wearing flip-flops, shorts, and a tank-top.

my mates goes for a job at a brokerage firm in a ski jacket he still got the job but he is good and they were desperate fr a guy with his exact skill set and specialist knowledge.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: Skoorb
A lot of young people have no clue. I used to wear white socks with my business casual atire. It was terrible, but people learn Hopefully. I've only ever worked at business casual places and always have interviewed with a tie, never a jacket.

:Q

he probably keeps the on whilst shagging also :Q

Koing

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
A good tip I got during Transition class when I left the Navy was:
Call up and talk to the secretary or receptionist. They can give you a very good idea of what to do and (more importantly) what not to do.

Actually, this is one of the best gems in this thread. Those people you meet who do not seem to have an affect on your interview are most important. That secretary or receptionist has far more sway than you think. And they can put in a great review for you if you treat them well.

 

[Engineer]

Don't own a tie or a suit. Wouldn't wear either to an interview. Wouldn't wear a Tee, jeans and ballcap (like I wear to work every single day), but wouldn't wear a suit or tie.

Oh, and I'm not so sure that I would call anyone "stupid" until you find out that you (or another well dressed applicant) received an offer for the job.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: jaqie
Your appearance can be seen as a qualification. How serious you are about getting (and probably keeping) the job, and your conviction to keep a good appearance can show you aren't lazy about things in life (such as your own appearance).

Agreed. And, the first impression is incredibly important.

Originally posted by: Gibson486
If you have a resume and experience that speaks for itself, then you can get away with it. I have met engineers that know they are hot stuff, so they do not bother impressing employers anymore because they know they have experience that will impress anyone.

You're assuming you're the only one with a resume and experience that speaks for itself applying for that job. (And, in your field, that may often be the case.)


Also a tip: last impressions are also important. I was part of a team conducting interviews a week ago. One candidate really stood out far more than the others - shook our hands at the end of the interview and thanked us for calling him/her in for an interview.

 

[misle]

I work for an engineering consulting firm where we where ties M-R, and business casual on Fridays. Last Wednesday an HR rep walked past my cube with an interviewee who was wearing a polo shirt, khakis, and sneakers. She dropped him off in the conference room to get my engineering director (who was going to interview him) and they were talking about his attire. I guess they flew this guy in and put him up in hotel (I heard, "Well, that was a waste of money" as they walked by)...I doubt he'll get an offer.