5 ms·

"Dress like the job you want to have, not like the job you're applying for." Very nice. Put into words my vaguely-formed concept of why I won't be pulling out

by tc7 18y ago

"Dress like the job you want to have, not like the job you're applying for." Very nice. Put into words my vaguely-formed concept of why I won't be pulling out the suit for future interviews. For interviews, the best advice I've heard is to remember that you're evaluating them as much as they are you. If they demand/care that you dress a certain way, perhaps it's a good sign you don't want to work there (unless you're into that kind of thing). I have read posts that hint at a bit of hypocrisy in startups, though: "We wear t-shirts because clothes don't matter, but if you wear a suit you're unfit for startup hacker life." Bear that in mind if you really LOVE wearing suits. :P

corentin 18y ago
I'd rather hire someone who is comfortable in any situation (mechanics clothes or business suit) than a rigid smartass who won't change they way he or she dresses no matter what...
- GrandMasterBirt 18y ago
  I would always dress "professionally" because I do not know what the guy on the other side is going to think. I don't want the start of the interview to be the end of it. When I talk to the interviewer I can know if that person is someone I can be working with, I always ask what the dress code is like and I assure you it makes no difference. One company was 100% casual (don't wear a miniskirt and you are fine). The company was the biggest POS to work for. Another company is business casual (occasionally they don't mind me wearing a t-shirt and jeans) and it is is just a pleasure to work at this one. Edit: I actually like wearing business casual, very comfortable cloths.
LogicHoleFlaw 18y ago
To me at least, a suit is a tool to be used where it will give me leverage I would not otherwise have. It's a social hack to get access to both places and people. Personally I prefer not to work in one, but for important meetings or for working directly with (formal, older) customers then it's worth putting on the monkey suit.
- pxlpshr 18y ago
  Forgive me, but I find it humorous that you reference a suit as a "monkey" costume, particularly in comparison to the art direction and name of Bathing Ape and the like. I'm 26 and I find the trendy designer-esque throwback to the 80's an eye-sore that belongs in a circus, and a contradiction to the shouting cry for individuality when hipsters congregate.
johnyzee 18y ago
> "We wear t-shirts because clothes don't matter, but if you wear a suit you're unfit for startup hacker life." That puts into words my vaguely-formed concept of why I defiantly wear dress pants and expensive shirts (+ suit and tie for interviews) even when working at a tech startup with 20-somethings in (carefully chosen) worn jeans and t-shirts. If clothes don't matter, why am I being judged because I value aesthetics, not excluding the clothes I wear?
- icky 18y ago
  > If clothes don't matter, why am I being judged because I value aesthetics, not excluding the clothes I wear? Because they do matter. The function of any level or style of dress at an interview is to mark you as part of the Right Group. This holds true even when the interviewers don't realize that they're unconsciously doing it. Overdressing for an interview at some companies can put you in the Wrong Group just as surely as underdressing will at others.
  - IsaacSchlueter 18y ago
    The last time I wore a tie at work was my job interview. You should always dress nicer for the interview than you expect to for the job. It has nothing to do with impressing the interviewer. I wore a tie to my interview because it made me feel important, which made me feel more confident, which made me come across as a more compelling candidate. Use whatever tools you have to manipulate yourself into being the person (at least temporarily) who easily gets the job you want.
agotterer 18y ago
The job I would like to have required me sitting around in my underwear and possibly a shirt. Joking aside, I don't agree with the dress like the job you want at all. It's important to convy professionalism. When you go to a wedding do you wear shorts and a tshirt because its comfortable? No, you want to look the part. A job is no different. I think its better to be over dressed then under dressed. I work for a super casual company now. I wear a t-shirt and jeans to work every day. They actually asked me on my interview why I was wearing a suit. As soon as I spoke, they could tell I wasnt a stuck up stiff "suit". I showed some personality, smiled and laughed a bit. On the other hand I have seen people come through here in hoodies who get the job. But I would personally never wear anything less than a suit to an interview.

by tc7 18y ago

corentin 18y ago

I'd rather hire someone who is comfortable in any situation (mechanics clothes or business suit) than a rigid smartass who won't change they way he or she dresses no matter what...

GrandMasterBirt 18y ago
I would always dress "professionally" because I do not know what the guy on the other side is going to think. I don't want the start of the interview to be the end of it. When I talk to the interviewer I can know if that person is someone I can be working with, I always ask what the dress code is like and I assure you it makes no difference. One company was 100% casual (don't wear a miniskirt and you are fine). The company was the biggest POS to work for. Another company is business casual (occasionally they don't mind me wearing a t-shirt and jeans) and it is is just a pleasure to work at this one. Edit: I actually like wearing business casual, very comfortable cloths.

LogicHoleFlaw 18y ago

To me at least, a suit is a tool to be used where it will give me leverage I would not otherwise have. It's a social hack to get access to both places and people. Personally I prefer not to work in one, but for important meetings or for working directly with (formal, older) customers then it's worth putting on the monkey suit.

pxlpshr 18y ago
Forgive me, but I find it humorous that you reference a suit as a "monkey" costume, particularly in comparison to the art direction and name of Bathing Ape and the like. I'm 26 and I find the trendy designer-esque throwback to the 80's an eye-sore that belongs in a circus, and a contradiction to the shouting cry for individuality when hipsters congregate.

johnyzee 18y ago

> "We wear t-shirts because clothes don't matter, but if you wear a suit you're unfit for startup hacker life." That puts into words my vaguely-formed concept of why I defiantly wear dress pants and expensive shirts (+ suit and tie for interviews) even when working at a tech startup with 20-somethings in (carefully chosen) worn jeans and t-shirts. If clothes don't matter, why am I being judged because I value aesthetics, not excluding the clothes I wear?

icky 18y ago
> If clothes don't matter, why am I being judged because I value aesthetics, not excluding the clothes I wear? Because they do matter. The function of any level or style of dress at an interview is to mark you as part of the Right Group. This holds true even when the interviewers don't realize that they're unconsciously doing it. Overdressing for an interview at some companies can put you in the Wrong Group just as surely as underdressing will at others.
- IsaacSchlueter 18y ago
  The last time I wore a tie at work was my job interview. You should always dress nicer for the interview than you expect to for the job. It has nothing to do with impressing the interviewer. I wore a tie to my interview because it made me feel important, which made me feel more confident, which made me come across as a more compelling candidate. Use whatever tools you have to manipulate yourself into being the person (at least temporarily) who easily gets the job you want.

agotterer 18y ago

The job I would like to have required me sitting around in my underwear and possibly a shirt. Joking aside, I don't agree with the dress like the job you want at all. It's important to convy professionalism. When you go to a wedding do you wear shorts and a tshirt because its comfortable? No, you want to look the part. A job is no different. I think its better to be over dressed then under dressed. I work for a super casual company now. I wear a t-shirt and jeans to work every day. They actually asked me on my interview why I was wearing a suit. As soon as I spoke, they could tell I wasnt a stuck up stiff "suit". I showed some personality, smiled and laughed a bit. On the other hand I have seen people come through here in hoodies who get the job. But I would personally never wear anything less than a suit to an interview.