Interview, clothing, what's good/bad

jozi

Got an interview coming up on Tuesday. Last interview I had was in March and it wasn't to successful.

From what I remember I wore a pair of black pants (slacks) and a long sleeve shirt, pair off shoes I got in pennies and I also took my hooded jacked in case I got cold.

I'm not really into the whole dressing neatly thing so if anyone can give me advice it would be much appreciated.

AARRRGH

I think it's best to err on the side of being overdressed than underdressed.

I always wear a nice suit, nice shirt and nice shoes, don't have my head shaved (I normally have a nice thug haircut) and take out the razor to get rid of my stubble.

It might be ridiculous, but clean cut people are seen are more trustworthy.

MagicMarker

What's the interview for?

You're doing yourself no favour by not wearing a tie, why would someone choose you over someone who made the effort to wear a nice suit?

jozi

It's for a job at Paypal. I've just had a 30min call about me and the job, a language test and a phone interview, passed all and they are calling me for an interview on tue.

I forgot, I also had a tie. I'll get a hair cut on monday. Is a little bit of gel ok or better without? Used to always spike my hair a little, lately im gel free.

I have a suit, had it for a few years. I don't mind wearing it. Feels like a total misrepresentation of my thou. I realize I can't exactly stroll in there either wearing jeans and a shirt but I don't want to go over board and feel uncomfortable.

AARRRGH

jozi wrote: »

I have a suit, had it for a few years. I don't mind wearing it. Feels like a total misrepresentation of my thou.

Interviews are weird places where you can't really be yourself.

Wear the suit, it's a safe bet.

The Big Red Button

jozi wrote: »

I have a suit, had it for a few years. I don't mind wearing it. Feels like a total misrepresentation of my thou. I realize I can't exactly stroll in there either wearing jeans and a shirt but I don't want to go over board and feel uncomfortable.

Wear the suit, with a tie. It's what's expected of you. The interviewer will not be impressed with you dressing down because it's more "your style" or whatever, it looks a lot better if you can go outside your comfort zone and still do well.

The fact is that they'll be interviewing several others just as qualified and experienced as you - if not moreso. They'll be eliminating possible candidates as soon as possible, and in these cases first appearances count. If you're more dressed down than all the other candidates, you'll most likely be first eliminated, before the interview even begins. And then it won't even matter if you're "uncomfortable" or not!

Is this fair? Maybe not. But it's the reality.

jozi

All good points.

I'll get the suit out again and give it my best shot.

MysticalRain

It's best to err on the side of caution and overdress. Don't forget the little things as well... keep your breath fresh, especially if you smoke, clean nails etc.

nettster

its important to look well when attending for an interview. first impressions are lasting so i would dress smartly even though its not really giving any personality away.:)

leeroybrown

As others have pointed out it's normally best to wear a suit unless you're sure that it won't be an issue. For some jobs, such as a retail shop floor it's sometimes better to dress smartly in keeping with the place of work but most of the time a suit fits the bill perfectly. Looking like you put effort into preparing for the interview generally comes across very well.

AARRRGH

Also, a lot of interviewers decide within the first few seconds whether they want to hire you or not.

So it makes sense to look good.

Kinetic^

Suit, tie, freshly polished shoes, tidy hair, clean shave, aftershave and fresh breath. Good luck.

MagicMarker

Well I used to work for paypal, and if they conduct the interviews like they did back then (a few years now), then there will probably a good few people at the interview with you. You don't want to be the one that dressed down, you'll stand out in the crowd.

Otis Driftwood

Just to echo the sentiments of the rest of the posters,appearance is everything.

Suit,tie,shiny shoes,neat hair and clean shaven.If you are a smoker,do not smoke for at least an hour before the interview.Nothing worse than having someone stink of cigarettes.If you are going to use some aftershave better to be light on it than heavy.

Finally,very best of luck with it.

Eoin

I'm surprised anyone would have to even think about wearing a suit to an office job.

jozi wrote:

Feels like a total misrepresentation of my thou.

Not everyone who wears a suit every day wants to either. It may not be their choice, but it's expected of them.

It might be an outdated thing, but it does indicate how bothered you are about the interview process itself.

razorblunt

I wore a suit and tie to all my grad interviews although if you take the jacket off in there it wouldnt be frowned upon I'd say.

The only times I havent worn a tie is part time retail jobs I went with a suit and open neck shirt, worked for them anyway,

jozi

Got my suite, shirt and tie today along with a bit of a trim in the hair dressers and shoes are still fresh and shiny.

Don't look so bad wearing it either :cool:

Thanks for the replies everyone, hopefully all goes well tomorrow.

MagicMarker

Best of luck! Paypal are a good company to work for.

jozi

My flat mate likes it there, she referred me.

To make things worse (or better) I've just been offered a place in the 4th year of what I was studying, decisions....

AARRRGH

jozi wrote: »

My flat mate likes it there, she referred me.

To make things worse (or better) I've just been offered a place in the 4th year of what I was studying, decisions....

Do the course. You can work for PayPal anytime...

jozi

I'd like to but I've no savings to get me through the year in college and myself and a few friends are planning to go away to south America for a few months next may.

Will see how the interview goes and have a good think about it and college. I have to look into grants etc also.

AARRRGH

Could you work for PayPal part-time?

jozi

I don't know. They might do something if I asked. Going to see how it goes tomorrow, have till friday week to accept the college course. Could be for another thread

the_syco

Is there an option to do the course in the evenings?

jozi

There isn't. It's a newly introduced course, this year is it's 1st year. There are plans for a parttime course but god know when that will be. There isn't even a course descriptor available for it yet :rolleyes:

the_syco

jozi wrote: »

To make things worse (or better) I've just been offered a place in the 4th year of what I was studying, decisions....

jozi wrote: »

There isn't. It's a newly introduced course, this year is it's 1st year. There are plans for a parttime course but god know when that will be. There isn't even a course descriptor available for it yet :rolleyes:

You're not making much sense there...

Eoin

Could be a new post-grad course for a undergrad course that already exists.

jozi

What i meant was the course (Architectural Technology) is a 3 year course, however they have just started a continuation on this which will be the 4th year of the course. This starts in September and this years student will be the 1st class to do the continuation course.

Otis Driftwood

How did the interview go?

jozi

Felt like it went alright. I had spoken to the girl who interview me already over the phone so was comforting that it was just her who was there for the interview. I'll hear about how well it went when I get a call.

doolox

Imagine you are buying a house or a car from someone and they are wearing casual clothes and another person is selling a similar car at a similar price. Who will you chose? Who is taking their job seriously?
An interview is a sales job and any sales person I know dresses well and formally for their job. Techies like me find wearing formal clothes, suits etc uncomfortable in the workplace but you are not being asked to perform any manual work at the interview stage, you are being asked to sell yourself and your skills and desireability to the company. For most reasonable employers wearing a suit and tie is normal and expected for all job interviews.
An interview is a sales job and you should dress appropriately for it.
If your actual job involves manual work or "getting your hands dirty" then dress for that when the time comes and the interview is over............

dubcookie

it really does depend what the role at paypal is.

i recruit for advertising/marketing/media and nobody wears a suit. to be honest, if someone went to an interview i'd arranged in a dark suit, looking like they worked at the bank, it would be detrimental. In our world, everyone is in ripped jeans and converse at work, especially the creatives and techhies. Even people who are account managers and client-facing, are often only in skinny jeans, knee high boots and a trendy top (obv if you are a girl!) as interview clothes. so it really will depend. as they say, know your audience.

your recruiter, or the HR manager if you found the job direct, should always advise on the dress code. but never assume, always check as how you dress will definitely impact on the iimpression you make.

definitely agree with the other person who mentioned dont go in smelling of smoke etc. my industry may be casual dress, but people are stil expected to look clean and smell nice :-)