First job interview... What should I wear?

[JoLLyRoGer]

OK, here's the background. I've spent the past 6 years in the military. I've never had to worry about what I needed to wear to work and I've never had to worry about job interviews for that matter either. I'm almost to the end of my enlistment and I have an upcoming job interview for a SysAd position with a local military contracting agency. Any pointers on what to wear and what I should show up with (documents, training records, credentials, etc. Sort of like a portfolio detailing my experience/career.) at a first interview?

Thanks,
JR..

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Uniform?

- M4H

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Possibly, I thought that the "blues" might be a little too formal though and the BDU's are too "utility".

 

[NogginBoink]

It's always better to be overdressed.

For a computer administration job, a suit and tie is always acceptable. Again, better to be overdressed than underdressed.

I would bring an extra copy or two of your resume and references. Have "one from column A and one from column B, OR one from column C" with you.

If the job requires certifications, bring proof of certification. Otherwise leave 'em behind.

Bring a notepad and pen.

Best of luck to you!

 

[MailBoxHead]

Torn T-shirt and blue jeans.
Don't forget the bandana

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Have "one from column A and one from column B, OR one from column C" with you.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that.

 

[Ameesh]

wear a suit i guess

 

[NathanBWF]

spandex shorts, gravy stained wife beater, rubber boots, cowboy hat....er...no wait...top hat. the position is as good as yours!

 

[Platypus]

nothing

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Thanks NoginBoink for the only serious reply..

Guess I got what I deserved asking a bunch of 15 year olds.. I keep forgetting about the kind of crowd I'm dealing with at ATOT

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: JoLLyRoGer

Have "one from column A and one from column B, OR one from column C" with you.

Thanks for the advice, but I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that.

Proof that you're employable in the U.S.

Column A is proof of who you are (usually a driver's license).
Column B is proof that the person in the document from A is eligible for employment in the U.S. (usually a social security card)
Column C is both (usually a passport)

Your military I.D. may qualify as column C, but almost certainly for Column A.

I'm looking on the IRS' website to find the form....

Edit: It's the I-9 form, but for some reason I don't get any hits on I-9 on the IRS' website.

Edit 2: Aha! I-9 Form.

 

[Blindman]

A suit is the way to go. Intreview is a professional affair so dress in a professional manner. Ask any girl they will tell you guys look better in suits. When you wear the suit to the interview you will give the impression that your serious about taking on the job. Perception is important because everything counts.

If I was looking for my replacement. The guy or gal better show me some respect and wear something decent. I could careless if he or she know the concepts but dont come in the door dress in t-shirt and jeans and expect me to consider them as my replacment. Yes I would probbly be in shorts and a messed up t-shit but I am not the one that need to look professional.

Oh the military stuff would be to formal. Just wear a suit, dont worry about it.


BTW I am planning to leave in less then 3 years so I been planning on finding and training a replacement. LOL. BTW my job pays extremely little thats why i am leaving in the first place. But i felt that they gave me a chance here so i should find a replacement to thank them for allowing me the oppertunity to work here. My job looks extremely good on my resume.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Clothes

 

[SuperMachoMan]

Draw up an outline of all the relevant items you anticipate discussing with the interviewer.

Make sure you can comfortably discuss at length anything listed on your resume and the job listing including:

Your experience in the military
Your prior job responsibilities and the progression of your career
Your likes and dislikes about your prior job
Your skills and training
Your qualifications for the job you are applying for

Also make up a list of intelligent and well thought out questions regarding the prospective job/company that you can ask throughout the interview, to show your genuine interest in the job as well as to spur the dialogue between you and the interviewer.

Practice discussing these and anything else you think the interviewer might bring up until you are 100% at ease with them. Practice til you no longer need the outline, but bring it in and refer to it toward the end of the interview to A) make sure you have discussed everything you wanted to discuss and B) to show them that you came in thoroughly prepared.

"Failure to prepare is preparation for failure."

Good luck!

 

[CrazyDe1]

clothes


Naw, its situation dependent. If it's a fast food job maybe some nice pants and a polo. For a posh 50k a year job a button down shirt and maybe a tie. Usually they're not going to judge you on appearance unless you're a consultant or real estate agent...as long as you don't shock htem with how you dress.

 

[csf]

Basic navy blue or charcoal gray suit (not black unless you already own one and that's your only suit), nothing too stylish or fancy. White shirt, preferably without a button-down collar, no french cuffs (i.e. one that buttons up, not one that takes cufflinks), relatively plain tie (red or gold are the usual colors, but you could probably swing something else as long as it's simple). Well polished black shoes with a black belt to match.

If you don't have a suit, you could get by with a navy blue blazer, though I strongly recommend you at least get some charcoal gray 100% wool slacks if you're going to go that route. Wearing a blazer with khakis is a really unappealing look that is left only to the clueless and the sloppy.

 

[DT4K]

Slacks
Dress shirt
Nice shoes
Tie and jacket are optional, depending on the environment.

If it's a jeans and t-shirt place, then a suit will make you feel out of place.
If it's a slacks and polo place, then wear a suit.

You want to dress a step above what you would normally wear to work if you got the job.

And you shouldn't need the column a, b, c stuff.
This is just an interview.
That will come later if you get the job.

Definitely bring extra copies of your resume and be prepared to give references.

 

[Ness]

Oftentimes employers are asked about how things went after an interview. One of the most common things said about the average person is that they weren't wearing a suit.

Always wear a suit unless it's something like a food service job. Always.

Even if the job is a dress-down sort of job where people have no problem wearing street clothes day in and day out, you don't want to give an employer the impression that you are unprofessional.

Even if you don't believe that, it would be better to wear a suit, knowing that (short of renting a tux) you won't be underdressed.


My vote goes for Suit all the way. Besides, it feels good to feel like a million bucks sometimes.

 

[dwil]

From a recently laid off person, who is now employed.

I have been to a few interviews recently...

Dress up in a suit, if you have to, buy one. White shirt goes a long way too.

Bring resume copies, bring reference pages too. Name, phone, email, etc.

One of the best things you can do is research the company you are going to.
Internet, call customers, etc. When you can ask inteligent questions of the interviewers, you look like a winner. It can be the thing to push you ahead of others.

Here is a link to some questions you should look at. I printed them and hand wrote an answer to each one, until I was tired. The stories you will need, the situations will become second nature, and you will be able to recite them from memory. If you can, and don't have think about it, the interviewers are more impressed.

You really need to prepare for an interview. Interview Questions