Renting an executive class car for a job interview?

Mango Joe

Ok so this is just a passing thought really, I was just curious if this is a thing or if you or anyone else you've heard of has ever done it ?!

Say for example if you've an interview for, a senior Management position in a company and want to make a positive impression in every sense, suit, haircut/styling (whatever extra prep details for each gender I mean!) - Do you think it's conceivable that pulling up to the building in a very ordinary, older, less expensive car could potentially lessen your chances of getting the job? Especially since the person interviewing after you might be driving a €50,000 BMW or similar?

I know people will look at this with scepticism and scorn, but its a fact that car snobbery and prejudging peoples professional success based on their vehicle are both common place things.

For the record - I'm not a car snob and I recognise that some people place their emphasis and priorities elsewhere and happily drive what suits their needs and budget. I'm sort of in that camp now, though mainly cause I've a pile of other outgoings....[ie. I'd still like a fancy car but am not too bothered either]

Also I would suspect that a large proportion of the people out their driving prestigious cars are in debt up to their nostrils and willing to live with that to impress other people who are themselves motoring on extended credit.

Anyway just I had just wondered....

OMM 0000

Mango Joe wrote: »

Do you think it's conceivable that pulling up to the building in a very ordinary, older, less expensive car could potentially lessen your chances of getting the job?

I think it does make a difference.

Also, if it would help you with your interview (feeling more confident or whatever), then go for it.

Also, it's a harmless thing to do.

If you get the job they may wonder what happened to your BMW though...

if you are in the position of applying for a senior mgmt role, why are you driving a banger at present?

also, taxi.

tryhard move imo

Chiorino

OMM 0000 wrote: »

If you get the job they may wonder what happened to your BMW though...

Company car from the previous job would be a solid explanation? Might be helpful if negotiating a benefits package too.

stargazer 68

I would think it depends on the building location etc. Im involved in the interview processes and I don't think any of the people interviewing have ever even seen a candidate arrive in the front door let alone park their car.

frash

What if the person interviewing you is a big environment head who cycles to work?

A big gas guzzler might make him think you a fool

Johnny Sausage

no but I'd email ahead and ask do they have space for my executive helicopter

Heroditas

Completely pointless to be honest. The hiring team have better things to be doing than peeping out the window to see what car pulls up for an interview.
Far more relevant is how you prepare for the interview and how you conduct yourself. If the hiring company is swayed by what car you drive, you're better off staying away from them.

stoneill

The mode of transport you arrive in will make no difference to candidate selection.

Apiarist

frash wrote: »

What if the person interviewing you is a big environment head who cycles to work?

A big gas guzzler might make him think you a fool

Fair point. Fortunately, you can be both pretentious and environmentally friendly with a Tesla Model S:

Tazzimus

Deleted User wrote: »

if you are in the position of applying for a senior mgmt role, why are you driving a banger at present?

also, taxi.

tryhard move imo

Not everyone wants to get into the mickey waving contest of "look how new and expensive my car is"

UpBack1234

It's your money and your life etc but I would have thought that roles where company recruiters are actively noting what type of car you drive and making a judgement about your suitability for a role based on that would be an extremely narrow class, if they exist at all. Car snobbery / competitiveness does occur among already-appointed (mostly male) executives of course -but in terms of suitability for a role in the first place? The type of car you drive would almost certainly not be high on the list of considerations in the modern era.

hots

It's a bit 80s/90s wolf of wall street I'd say. Unless the hiring manager is standing at the window waiting for you to pull in there's no way they'd know what you drive. Just grab a cab if you're in a real hunk of junk at the moment.

Tabnabs

Just make sure to mention that parking for your superyacht is also a big plus for you.

stipey

I wouldn't bother.

I've been offered senior positions after showing up on a motorbike and sitting in leathers (albeit with a semi-decent shirt on under the jacket) and my crash helmet on the table.

I'm not sure I'd want to work for a company where the car I drive is a key factor in the hire/don't hire decision.

Mango Joe

Dovies wrote: »

I would think it depends on the building location etc. Im involved in the interview processes and I don't think any of the people interviewing have ever even seen a candidate arrive in the front door let alone park their car.

Obviously you're not familiar with that old interview tip of doing doughnuts in the car park to impress the sexy Receptionist?!

Yes it is a funny thought that on your first week as Quality Director your 5 series BMW from interview day has mysteriously evaporated and you're stuck in the Office at 5.35pm asking around for a loan of some jump-leads for your clapped-out Focus......

Tazzimus

Tazzimus wrote: »

Not everyone wants to get into the mickey waving contest of "look how new and expensive my car is"

im responding to the OP and saying it would be pointless

if you are responding to me, i dont get the point made tbh

piplip87

I knew a fella.who in 2006 was in debt upto his eyeballs he was about to lose everything and had a meeting with a bank manager.

He hired a sports car (heard it was a Lamborghini) borrowed designer suit, designer briefcase and if I'm not mistaken a Rolex....

He parked in the staff car park in the mangers spot...

Turns out he got a massive bridging loan and his company survived.

The moral of the story as he puts it is:

You can lose the cash but your in trouble.if you lose the flash....

Perception is everything

Tazzimus

Deleted User wrote: »

im responding to the OP and saying it would be pointless

if you are responding to me, i dont get the point made tbh

You asked why he was driving a banger when in a position to apply for a senior management role. I was replying to that statement.
Not everyone who makes decent money needs to drive a brand new Merc or that, just to show off their wealth. i.e mickey waving.

Unfortunately, some companies will assess on what they see, rather than what the person is actually like.

bucketybuck

piplip87 wrote: »

I knew a fella.who in 2006 was in debt upto his eyeballs he was about to lose everything and had a meeting with a bank manager.

He hired a sports car (heard it was a Lamborghini) borrowed designer suit, designer briefcase and if I'm not mistaken a Rolex....

He parked in the staff car park in the mangers spot...

Turns out he got a massive bridging loan and his company survived.

The moral of the story as he puts it is:

You can lose the cash but your in trouble.if you lose the flash....

Perception is everything

It must be, because that story doesn't pass any smell test.

Why on earth would the bank manager be impressed by a Lambo and designer suit when the bank manager knows exactly how much money the guy doesn't have?

If anything he is more likely to think the guy is an even worse financial risk than normal if he is the type to be blowing money on flash cars while his company balance sheet is in the shitter. If he got his bridging loan it was based on the financials, not the flash.

dartboardio

Waste of money and time.

No HR person is gonna be standing at the window waiting for you to drive in and park, looking at your car.

They will be busy with their own duties.

Jim2007

Mango Joe wrote: »

Ok so this is just a passing thought really, I was just curious if this is a thing or if you or anyone else you've heard of has ever done it ?!

Say for example if you've an interview for, a senior Management position in a company and want to make a positive impression in every sense, suit, haircut/styling (whatever extra prep details for each gender I mean!) - Do you think it's conceivable that pulling up to the building in a very ordinary, older, less expensive car could potentially lessen your chances of getting the job? Especially since the person interviewing after you might be driving a €50,000 BMW or similar?

I know people will look at this with scepticism and scorn, but its a fact that car snobbery and prejudging peoples professional success based on their vehicle are both common place things.

For the record - I'm not a car snob and I recognise that some people place their emphasis and priorities elsewhere and happily drive what suits their needs and budget. I'm sort of in that camp now, though mainly cause I've a pile of other outgoings....[ie. I'd still like a fancy car but am not too bothered either]

Also I would suspect that a large proportion of the people out their driving prestigious cars are in debt up to their nostrils and willing to live with that to impress other people who are themselves motoring on extended credit.

Anyway just I had just wondered....

Do you seriously think that they are going to spend their time sitting inside the window watching you arrive??? Most likely they'll be interviewing someone else or attending to business and won't have a clue who's the car in the car park belongs to...

And in this day and age they could be environmentalist who consider the use of such cars to be unacceptable for all that.

partyguinness

So you hire a fancy car and turn looking like Del Boy. You get the job and then what? You turn up on the first day in your Corolla?

Honestly it makes you look sad, insecure and needy. No self respecting employer will give a crap about your car unless you are applying for some slippery 'Company Rep' role with some dodgy snakeoil merchant.

Get a taxi....and some counseling.

partyguinness

Mango Joe wrote: »

Ok so this is just a passing thought really, I was just curious if this is a thing or if you or anyone else you've heard of has ever done it ?!

Say for example if you've an interview for, a senior Management position in a company and want to make a positive impression in every sense, suit, haircut/styling (whatever extra prep details for each gender I mean!) - Do you think it's conceivable that pulling up to the building in a very ordinary, older, less expensive car could potentially lessen your chances of getting the job? Especially since the person interviewing after you might be driving a €50,000 BMW or similar?

I know people will look at this with scepticism and scorn, but its a fact that car snobbery and prejudging peoples professional success based on their vehicle are both common place things.

For the record - I'm not a car snob and I recognise that some people place their emphasis and priorities elsewhere and happily drive what suits their needs and budget. I'm sort of in that camp now, though mainly cause I've a pile of other outgoings....[ie. I'd still like a fancy car but am not too bothered either]

Also I would suspect that a large proportion of the people out their driving prestigious cars are in debt up to their nostrils and willing to live with that to impress other people who are themselves motoring on extended credit.

Anyway just I had just wondered....

I work in the UK. In my line of work I deal with millionaires on a daily basis. I mean successful shrewd business men with millions in the bank- not your Celtic Tiger paper millionaires. I am not a millionaire I should add...:(

They do not drive around in show off cars and bling. Quite the opposite really- they can be as tight as a ducks ass.

Guy sat in front of me a few weeks ago with a new £100k watch and he treated himself and his wife to a brand new Porsche each for their 50th birthdays (both costing £100k each)- this guy is a millionaire several times over and paid cash. They will sit in the garage and be take out at the weekend.

Now, on the other hand I also deal with cowboys who drive around in Bentleys and top of the range Land Rovers, Mercs etc etc and they are up to their eyeballs in debt and living at home with their parents. I have seen pretty much every luxury car model on the road when driving to work as I drive through a very affluent area- Mercs, BMWs, RR, Bentleys, Lambos, Lotus. At this stage Porsches are bog standard

I am personally friends with a guy (professional) who has both a Ferrari, Porsche and a Merc SUV sitting at home plus 16 buy to let properties. He lives with his parents- up to his eyeballs in debt, his business is finished and the wife has left him.

I have seen a Rolls Royce in the car park next door and some young Asian lad getting out of it- rented of course for some wedding or birthday. It would not surprise me in the slightest if works in a local warehouse on £15k a year and shares a bedroom with his siblings and his mother washes his underwear.

Invariably the above is extremely prevalent in the Asian community over here- all about showing off and all false. You never see Mr Singh in a Opal Astra- always an S Class Merc.

There is an expression over here: two cars on the drive empty fridge.

Tow

partyguinness wrote: »

I work in the UK. In my line of work I deal with millionaires on a daily basis. I mean successful shrewd business men with millions in the bank- not your Celtic Tiger paper millionaires.

They do not drive around in show off cars and bling. Quite the opposite really- they can be as tight as a ducks ass.

This in the reality of what to see if working in finance. Many a fellow in a flash car and suit does not a a penny to their name, while the guy in jeans and an old jumper could be worth millions.

partyguinness

Tow wrote: »

This in the reality of what to see if working in finance. Many a fellow in a flash car and suit does not a a penny to their name, while the guy in jeans and an old jumper could be worth millions.

Oh trust me. I see exactly that everyday. In Ireland we have a different attitude- the more successful and richer you get the more you downplay it.

Over here it is not considered bad taste to flaunt your wealth.

My buddy is an Accountant and when he goes to meet clients he takes the Ferrari. You see- I could never do that.

Asians see flashy car = money = success and they want to be associated with that: "Look I can afford a fancy Accountant" almost successful by osmosis.

On the other hand I'd be thinking "I am paying for that and obviously paying too much."

I know a chap that has a fair bit of cash, also. He'll never go broke, and he has two cars.

One is a new (unsure of exact model) Mercedes saloon. All the extras, lovely looking motor. The other is an old (2002 i think) Astra, about to fall apart and looks like it's held together with will power. Faded paint, etc.

He refers to the Astra as his "Decoy Car".

But I see him in the Astra a lot more than the Merc. So I dunno who he's trying to fool or what the intended purpose of the decoy car is, but he rarely ever uses the Merc. Seems an awful waste, really.

Bob Harris

I'd go on a bicycle to show your awareness of climate change.

If you do go in what you feel is an inferior car make sure it's clean anyway.

You could turn up in a Bugatti but if it's covered in shíte you won't impress anyone.

juanjo

Just from a practical perspective, what's the likelihood you'd be pulling up out front?

I mean, they probably don't care.

Even IF they care, they probably wont be standing in reception waiting for you.

Even IF they're waiting in reception for you, you'll probably need to park in the car park, which is unlikely to have a spot right outside by reception.

Picking up the car would be one extra thing to do on the morning of your interview, which could affect your performance during the actual meeting.

If it gives you extra confidence though, there's nothing wrong with it.

Del2005

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I know a chap that has a fair bit of cash, also. He'll never go broke, and he has two cars.

One is a new (unsure of exact model) Mercedes saloon. All the extras, lovely looking motor. The other is an old (2002 i think) Astra, about to fall apart and looks like it's held together with will power. Faded paint, etc.

He refers to the Astra as his "Decoy Car".

But I see him in the Astra a lot more than the Merc. So I dunno who he's trying to fool or what the intended purpose of the decoy car is, but he rarely ever uses the Merc. Seems an awful waste, really.

The decoy is to make people think he has no money and not rob him. My dad used to work in a wealthy area and the really rich old money people never drove flash cars.

elperello

I recall a guy I knew in London.
He had a good business and a fairly nice car.
He rented a Jag when the in-laws were coming down from Scotland to visit.
I remember thinking at the time how unnecessary it was and what if they found out.
I lost touch so don't know if he was ever outed over it.

That's the main reason I think you shouldn't do it.
If you ever get caught out over it you will look really bad.

the_syco

Dovies wrote: »

I would think it depends on the building location etc. Im involved in the interview processes and I don't think any of the people interviewing have ever even seen a candidate arrive in the front door let alone park their car.

Agreed. If there's a visitors carpark to park my car, the car will be often not visible from the reception. And the guy interviewing me will meet me after 10 minutes of me waiting there, so won't be looking at what I drove in.

Also, if they ask if you drove in, they'll assume that you already have a car, and thus don't need a company car.

Mrs OBumble

hots wrote: »

It's a bit 80s/90s wolf of wall street I'd say. Unless the hiring manager is standing at the window waiting for you to pull in there's no way they'd know what you drive. Just grab a cab if you're in a real hunk of junk at the moment.

Plenty of companies have the carpark under CCTV, and visitors have to give car-rego as part of the sign-in process. If they care ,they could easily find out.

Would I want to work in a place where it mattered? Nope.

But I know some pepole would.

If you're driving a banger and need to upgrade with a job upgrade, consider car-leasing. You get a nice car, and someone else takes the depreciation hit.