Are people this stupid?

[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?

 

[clamum]

Actually no, I was usually the one least dressed up and I have worn black dress pants, long sleeve button down, and a tie. At the career fair at school almost everyone had a suit and as far as I can remember, most other applications at interviews I was at had them too.

 

[jaqie]

I've always dressed in business casual as well, except when I was really young and trying to get my first few jobs. I still paid attention to my appearance and cleanliness of me and clothes, though.

Yes, most people do seem that stupid as to come disheveled and in horrible job hunting outfits.

 

[Descartes]

The only time I ever wear a tie is when I go to a few of my favorite nice restaurants in Atlanta

Many environments now are completely casual. I'm wearing jeans and a polo right now at a client site, and the CFO sits right next to us and he's also in a polo and jeans. The real error would be wearing such a thing in an environment of suits.

[edit]Also, you'll need to learn that standing out is usually a bad thing in an interview. You want to equal the aesthetic of the company so that the last thing they notice are your clothes. Being overdressed can be just as bad as being underdressed. Wearing a suit when everyone else is casual will give you the perception of being stuffy, formal, inexperienced, etc.

Like almost all things, dress for the occasion. Ask someone at the company what the dress code is at the office before you interview. [/edit]

 

[waffleironhead]

Ah yes, when appearance outweighs qualifications.

 

[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).

 

[Beev]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Ah yes, when appearance outweighs qualifications.

Just because you are qualified (or even over qualified) for a position doesn't mean you go to the interview dressed like shit.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: Beev

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Ah yes, when appearance outweighs qualifications.

Just because you are qualified (or even over qualified) for a position doesn't mean you go to the interview dressed like shit.

I wouldn't do it overall. But if I was pretty qualified for a job, I probably wouldn't wear a suit to an interview. But then I wouldn't go as a slob either.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

I'm always amazed at the shoes people wear with suits to interviews on campus here. It makes me want to ask the people wtf are you thinking? I've seen tennis shoes and such.

 

[Nerva]

hahaha no, i don my hickey freeman suit, custom made shirt, nice hermes tie and ferrogamo loafers.

 

[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.

 

[Lola]

In a word, YES.
It is amazing how uncommon common sense is. Basic job interviewing skills have all been lost in what i consider a more "casual" society.
I have been to a good amount of interviews and have seen the same thing. It makes me realize that basic "people" skills should be a maditory class everyone should take in high school. It is very sad that many people were never taught how to act in a professional setting of any kind.

 

[OdiN]

I wouldn't wear a suit to an interview. Mainly because I don't own one becuase I'd never wear it. And because I doubt I'd interview anywhere that a suit would be required. IT people usually are not in suits. I do wear shirt/slacks/tie to interviews though, and actually where I work now dress slacks/shirts are required, but no tie thankfully.

 

[Bateluer]

General rule of thumb is supposed to be one step above what the work environment normally dresses. If everyone is wearing khaki's and a polo, you're supposed to wear black dress slacks and a nice collared shirt. If everyone is wearing the nice slacks with collared shirts, you should probably wear a tie or a full suit. The positions at this company were corporate office type positions and most were wearing either khaki's with collared polo's or dress slacks with dress shirts. I wore very similar to what they wore. Other applicants were dressed like they were interviewing for a retail position at Best Buy or a fast food joint.


I forgot, most of the people at ATOT are super geniuses that graduated college at 16, got hired at 100K a year with no degree and no certifications. Looks like I can now add 'dressed horribly during interview' to the list. :roll:

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Lola
In a word, YES.
It is amazing how uncommon common sense is. Basic job interviewing skills have all been lost in what i consider a more "casual" society.
I have been to a good amount of interviews and have seen the same thing. It makes me realize that basic "people" skills should be a mandatory class everyone should take in high school. It is very sad that many people were never taught how to act in a professional setting of any kind.

So should spelling.

 

[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.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: Lola
In a word, YES.
It is amazing how uncommon common sense is. Basic job interviewing skills have all been lost in what i consider a more "casual" society.
I have been to a good amount of interviews and have seen the same thing. It makes me realize that basic "people" skills should be a mandatory class everyone should take in high school. It is very sad that many people were never taught how to act in a professional setting of any kind.

So should spelling.

OH SPARE ME!

 

[Feldenak]

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

 

[waffleironhead]

I plan to dress like these guys at my next interview. Because looks matter.

 

[olds]

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?

Maybe they write better than you?

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

General rule of thumb is supposed to be one step above what the work environment normally dresses. If everyone is wearing khaki's and a polo, you're supposed to wear black dress slacks and a nice collared shirt. If everyone is wearing the nice slacks with collared shirts, you should probably wear a tie or a full suit. The positions at this company were corporate office type positions and most were wearing either khaki's with collared polo's or dress slacks with dress shirts. I wore very similar to what they wore. Other applicants were dressed like they were interviewing for a retail position at Best Buy or a fast food joint.

I agree. I personally would not take it beyond the nice blacks and collared shirt though. That type of arrangement is what I wear probably 90% of the time, because you can mix well with almost any situation.

 

[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.

 

[Lola]

Although I agree with most of the comments in this thread, I feel that it is always better to be slightly over-dressed than under-dressed, especially in a situation like a job interview.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: Lola
Although I agree with most of the comments in this thread, I feel that it is always better to be slightly over-dressed than under-dressed, especially in a situation like a job interview.

agreed. Easier to just remove the tie if you get there and feel it's not needed than to feel out of place without it.

 

[StageLeft]

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.