interview attire 2019
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@izzion So you can see (the Gulf of) Mexico from there!
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status (yeahyeah) Off to test my interview attire...
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@dkf
Because it's probably enough distance that the curve of the planet interferes.
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@MrL said in interview attire 2019:
@Polygeekery said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL said in interview attire 2019:
@Polygeekery said in interview attire 2019:
That being said, I do agree with those who said it is almost impossible to overdress for an interview.
It is in this company.
There are always edge cases. More often than not you could show up to a tech interview in a suit and tie and the interviewers are in cargo shorts and t-shirts with expletives on them and one guy is wearing a Battle Kilt and they are only likely to say, "We aren't that formal around here, you can leave the monkey suit at home if we hire you".
When I agree to interview someone I communicate that they are fine to wear anything "presentable and casual" to the interview. I prefer to see people as they are, not as a facade they put up for an interview.
Well, yeah. Suit alone will not make us not hire you. But if we detect that it comes with a scent of corporate douchery...
Cause you only accept (and actually value highly) your usual start-up kind of douchery. Gotcha.
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@Zenith said in interview attire 2019:
@dkf
Because it's probably enough distance that the curve of the planet interferes.Earth is flat. Get with the program. Don't trust the government. Think for yourself. Peace out.
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@dcon said in interview attire 2019:
status (yeahyeah) Off to test my interview attire...
Good luck.
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@Zenith said in interview attire 2019:
@izzion said in interview attire 2019:
Of course, if I ever actually stay on my "no pop" diet long enough to lose weight, I'll have to wear the belt so as not to flash my co-workers on the regular, but hey
Because I've been there: At around 200, cutting back to one soda a week will only help you lose about 10. After that I found I needed to exercise. Like three hours a week on a bike minimum to lose another 10. It didn't take long to lose either 10, about 4-6 weeks, but then I plateaued and didn't know what to do. It was frustrating because my pant size was shrinking but I was still "fat" where it makes people look fat.
You mean tits or stomach? These are usually the hardest to lose fat from, but it depends on a person. For me, I first start shedding the fat on stomach, so I tend to have nice and round tits. (Not really, I'm not even overweight right now, but the tits I have are still prominent, prevent me from wearing some of my shirts.)
What usually gets people is that when they start to exercise, at some point they stop to lose weight. They're still getting thinner, they just don't notice that, cause of this whole "muscles are heavier than fat" yada-yada.
I remember this one friend whose mother started going to a gym and trained with a personal trainer. She stopped losing weight at some point and the guy was a total loss. At some point he admitted: "I have no idea why you're not losing weight anymore!" Stupid fuck, that's why you measure your arms/thighs/etc. additionally to the regular weigh-in when exercising.
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@kt_ said in interview attire 2019:
Earth is flat.
Ah, but as that diagram shows, the ocean isn't flat! QED!
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It's funny that I posted this in a thread titled "interview attire 2019", but yeah, I guess looking fit can actually be regarded as interview attire in 2019. In Silly Valley, at least.
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@Zenith said in interview attire 2019:
I've been wondering if it's acceptable to dress casually at an interview now.
I'd turn up in a reasonable shirt (with collar, but not dressy) and chinos. With a belt.
Also I'd wear a nice pair of shoes, but not training shoes.Why? Because that's what I'd work in too. It looks neat and I think it is comfortable too. If they don't like how I want to dress, I won't like working there. (I'm prepared to use a suit for suitably formal occasions, but not normally.)
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@kt_ Even in Silly Valley, interview etiquette requires covering that fit physique with some kind of clothing.
Seriously, while looking fit won't hurt (unless, perhaps, you look like a narcissistic Mr. Universe on steroids), it's certainly not necessary, as my existence as an employed person can attest.
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@HardwareGeek said in interview attire 2019:
@kt_ Even in Silly Valley, interview etiquette requires covering that fit physique with some kind of clothing.
That's extremely disableist!
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@dkf said in interview attire 2019:
Why? Because that's what I'd work in too. It looks neat and I think it is comfortable too. If they don't like how I want to dress, I won't like working there.
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@kt_ said in interview attire 2019:
You mean tits or stomach? These are usually the hardest to lose fat from, but it depends on a person.
What usually gets people is that when they start to exercise, at some point they stop to lose weight. They're still getting thinner, they just don't notice that, cause of this whole "muscles are heavier than fat" yada-yada.No, stomach and chin(s)*, but it's the same situation. That explanation actually makes sense. Thanks.
*It's not a double chin so much as no overhang under the jaw. People started asking if I was sick but I didn't think I looked any different.
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The title of this thread sounds like this year's entry into a really bad series of simulator computer games.
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@Benjamin-Hall said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL I've always heard that you should dress 1 step above what you expect to be working in.
Expect t shirt? Wear polo + khaki.
Expect polo? Wear button down, possible tie.
Expect button down? Wear sport coat.
Expect sport coat? Wear suit.
Expect suit? Don't go.
What do I wear if I want to be a stripper?
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@dkf said in interview attire 2019:
If they don't like how I want to dress, I won't like working there.
The only place the way I want to dress would be acceptable is working from home, in my bedroom with the door closed, and that isn't really practical. In an office environment, though, I like to present a professional appearance, so I wear slacks and a dress shirt most of the time — add a tie for an interview, dress down in jeans and a polo shirt for casual Fridays.
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@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
@Benjamin-Hall said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL I've always heard that you should dress 1 step above what you expect to be working in.
Expect t shirt? Wear polo + khaki.
Expect polo? Wear button down, possible tie.
Expect button down? Wear sport coat.
Expect sport coat? Wear suit.
Expect suit? Don't go.What do I wear if I want to be a stripper?
Birthday Suit
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@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
@Benjamin-Hall said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL I've always heard that you should dress 1 step above what you expect to be working in.
Expect t shirt? Wear polo + khaki.
Expect polo? Wear button down, possible tie.
Expect button down? Wear sport coat.
Expect sport coat? Wear suit.
Expect suit? Don't go.What do I wear if I want to be a stripper?
Make up
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@Lorne-Kates Baby oil?
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@Mingan said in interview attire 2019:
@Lorne-Kates Baby oil?
Actually no. That makes the poles all slippery.
ETA: Harder to hide that you got a lap dance.
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@kt_ said in interview attire 2019:
@Zenith said in interview attire 2019:
@dkf
Because it's probably enough distance that the curve of the planet interferes.Earth is flat. Get with the program. Don't trust the government. Think for yourself. Peace out.
You still believe in the government? Cute
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@Polygeekery said in interview attire 2019:
@dcon said in interview attire 2019:
status (yeahyeah) Off to test my interview attire...
Good luck.
Thanks! I think it went well. I'm definitely toast now! 6hrs of interviewing is definitely draining.
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@dcon said in interview attire 2019:
Thanks! I think it went well.
Glad to hear. I wish you well.
@dcon said in interview attire 2019:
I'm definitely toast now! 6hrs of interviewing is definitely draining.
That sounds horrible. You have to be wiped. Have a drink or six and get some rest.
Whenever anyone here talks about interviewing I am so glad I have never been through it. It sounds miserable.
Yes, I realize I am showing some sort of privilege. I just don't know which one.
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@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
@Benjamin-Hall said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL I've always heard that you should dress 1 step above what you expect to be working in.
Expect t shirt? Wear polo + khaki.
Expect polo? Wear button down, possible tie.
Expect button down? Wear sport coat.
Expect sport coat? Wear suit.
Expect suit? Don't go.What do I wear if I want to be a stripper?
Nothing.
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@Karla said in interview attire 2019:
@Mingan said in interview attire 2019:
@Lorne-Kates Baby oil?
Actually no. That makes the poles all slippery.
You say that without speculation.
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@dcon said in interview attire 2019:
@Polygeekery said in interview attire 2019:
@dcon said in interview attire 2019:
status (yeahyeah) Off to test my interview attire...
Good luck.
Thanks! I think it went well. I'm definitely toast now! 6hrs of interviewing is definitely draining.
Blech, the Gauntlet-style Interview it sounds like. You had better get a response from them one way or another.
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@jinpa said in interview attire 2019:
@Karla said in interview attire 2019:
@Mingan said in interview attire 2019:
@Lorne-Kates Baby oil?
Actually no. That makes the poles all slippery.
You say that without speculation.
Our wonderful @Karla knows her way around a pole.
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@Polygeekery We have at least three of them here. @Gąska, @Maciejasjmj, @MrL, does she?
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@HardwareGeek there's at least two more.
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@Zenith said in interview attire 2019:
@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
I'm hoping this doesn't need to be said but... do not say this at your interview. Do not say anything even REMOTELY like this in your interview. Do not slag off your previous employers. Do not slag off your previous coworkers. Do not slag off your previous bosses, or owners, or customers.
When you're going to an interview, you are 100% all the time putting your best self forward. You are selling yourself as much as you are evaluating them. How you present yourself is the first (and possibly most critical) impression.
Fair point, except the two interviews that panned out, I unloaded on my previous employer. Up until then I was polite and smiling and well dressed and GHOSTED. I heard they were interviewing ~25 people so I threw caution to the wind and was really surprised to hear back at all. That's why I was thinking T-shirt and jeans might be the part of the secret handshake to easy street that I missed last time.
I'm just tired of jobs where they're trying to dig a swimming pool with a stapler and quick to fire somebody who suggests or knows how to operate a shovel. I would almost rather have an interviewer stand up and shoot me so I wouldn't have to do any of this ever again.
Work out what you really don't want a workplace to be like and think of some questions that will identify them. Ask about technical things like testing strategy, source control and tooling, maybe how much freedom you'd have to choose any particular favourite tools of your own. When I was interviewing for my current job we had a good chat about what I've used in previous places, with them clearly being keen to entertain trying anything that could improve their process, which was a really positive sign.
On the clothing front, I've always gone for suit and tie even if I know the dress code is full casual. It's far less embarrassing to be in a good, well fitting suit around people in t shirts and shorts than the other way around, and it shows you care enough to make the effort
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@Polygeekery said in interview attire 2019:
@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
@Benjamin-Hall said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL I've always heard that you should dress 1 step above what you expect to be working in.
Expect t shirt? Wear polo + khaki.
Expect polo? Wear button down, possible tie.
Expect button down? Wear sport coat.
Expect sport coat? Wear suit.
Expect suit? Don't go.What do I wear if I want to be a stripper?
Nothing.
You can't strip if you don't have clothing to strip off.
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@jinpa said in interview attire 2019:
@Karla said in interview attire 2019:
@Mingan said in interview attire 2019:
@Lorne-Kates Baby oil?
Actually no. That makes the poles all slippery.
You say that without speculation.
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@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
What do I wear if I want to be a stripper?
Something hard-wearing yet flexible:
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@Jaloopa said in interview attire 2019:
Work out what you really don't want a workplace to be like and think of some questions that will identify them.
++1
One of those questions should be "Can I see where I'll be working". Take a tour of the actual development floor. Can you see yourself sitting there 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for the rest of your career? Or even one day?
One of my last rounds of interviews, I was at a place like this. Interview went well, nice people, interesting software to work on. Then we got to the dev floor. It was this open space that also opened onto other departments. It was noisy as fuck-- phone calls, printers, chairs, the sterotypical office sounds. And all of the developer's desks were along the longest wall. As in the desks attached to the wall, the devs sat facing the wall, and their screens faced the giant open space.
Zero privacy, zero noise reduction, having your back to a giant crowd, and anyone can watch you at anytime. It was like my worst nightmare.
Then I noticed that half the devs didn't even know how to blow their fucking nose, and were constantly sniffing. Then it did become my worst nightmare.
I finished the interview, but noped out of a job offer. (I, thankfully, could do that since I was interviewing while working somewhere, and had other potential offers waiting).
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@HardwareGeek said in interview attire 2019:
@dkf said in interview attire 2019:
If they don't like how I want to dress, I won't like working there.
The only place the way I want to dress would be acceptable is working from home, in my bedroom with the door closed, and that isn't really practical. In an office environment, though, I like to present a professional appearance, so I wear slacks and a dress shirt most of the time — add a tie for an interview, dress down in jeans and a polo shirt for casual Fridays.
Who are you trying to impress with your "professional appearance"? If you're a dev or similar role I doubt you're impressing your peers. I know some people say it helps them be more professional. In that case fair enough, if a bit weird.
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@mikehurley said in interview attire 2019:
Who are you trying to impress with your "professional appearance"? If you're a dev or similar role I doubt you're impressing your peers. I know some people say it helps them be more professional. In that case fair enough, if a bit weird.
It isn't about impressing, it's about impressions. It shows that you are, at the absolute bare minimum, aware of what "professional" is, and can at least give the appearance of professional. It means you are (again, bare minimum) AWARE of societal expectation and social interactions.
It isn't "yo look at this balwer threads i dropped some Benji's on".
It's "It's okay, I am not a mouth-breathing food-stained smelly person who will make everyone around me uncomfortable, will cross personal barriers, and will embrace or disgrace the company should any of our clients come around"
It's no guarantee either way, but it is a signaling indicator, and helps to leave a good impression of your personality with the interviewers.
As always, Silly Valley yadda yadda startup VCs blah blah ping-pong ball waterslide in the bathrooms etc.
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@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
@mikehurley said in interview attire 2019:
Who are you trying to impress with your "professional appearance"? If you're a dev or similar role I doubt you're impressing your peers. I know some people say it helps them be more professional. In that case fair enough, if a bit weird.
It isn't about impressing, it's about impressions. It shows that you are, at the absolute bare minimum, aware of what "professional" is, and can at least give the appearance of professional. It means you are (again, bare minimum) AWARE of societal expectation and social interactions.
It isn't "yo look at this balwer threads i dropped some Benji's on".
It's "It's okay, I am not a mouth-breathing food-stained smelly person who will make everyone around me uncomfortable, will cross personal barriers, and will embrace or disgrace the company should any of our clients come around"
It's no guarantee either way, but it is a signaling indicator, and helps to leave a good impression of your personality with the interviewers.
As always, Silly Valley yadda yadda startup VCs blah blah ping-pong ball waterslide in the bathrooms etc.
I just use the rule my mom had for church - casual is fine but nothing inappropriate or ratty. In the workplace I avoid alcohol related clothing, otherwise I just make sure things I wear generally are in good shape.
And I'm not in CA, I'm in MSP.
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@Lorne-Kates said in interview attire 2019:
@mikehurley said in interview attire 2019:
Who are you trying to impress with your "professional appearance"? If you're a dev or similar role I doubt you're impressing your peers. I know some people say it helps them be more professional. In that case fair enough, if a bit weird.
It isn't about impressing, it's about impressions. It shows that you are, at the absolute bare minimum, aware of what "professional" is, and can at least give the appearance of professional. It means you are (again, bare minimum) AWARE of societal expectation and social interactions.
It isn't "yo look at this balwer threads i dropped some Benji's on".
It's "It's okay, I am not a mouth-breathing food-stained smelly person who will make everyone around me uncomfortable, will cross personal barriers, and will embrace or disgrace the company should any of our clients come around"
It's no guarantee either way, but it is a signaling indicator, and helps to leave a good impression of your personality with the interviewers.
As always, Silly Valley yadda yadda startup VCs blah blah ping-pong ball waterslide in the bathrooms etc.
I'm not a sales rep or marketing drone to "project professionalism onto clients". If you send me to client's hq, I'll dress accordingly, but at the office I don't meet clients, only other devs. And they couldn't care less if I dress up as a Dracula if I know what I'm talking about regarding programming.
Also, jeans+tshirt is pretty damn far away from dirty, smelly, inpolite person.
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@MrL
On the other hand, everywhere I've worked has had a non-zero chance of a client being given a tour of the building on any given day, and many of those tours don't happen with 24+ hours advance notice (often it's more like 0). So there is a line of needing to be able to dress well enough that your boss isn't going to worry about what happens if a client sees you in that.And, in the context of going to an interview, it's your first date with the company... would you go on a first date with a potential-SO in a wrinkled sweatsuit and without pulling a comb through your hair to get it to lay down a little better? Being "more professional" / "cleaning up" compared to your baseline should be expected for a first date situation, either in love or in wallet.
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@MrL said in interview attire 2019:
And they couldn't care less if I dress up as a Dracula
Dracula is known for having good taste in formal wear.
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@izzion said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL
On the other hand, everywhere I've worked has had a non-zero chance of a client being given a tour of the building on any given day, and many of those tours don't happen with 24+ hours advance notice (often it's more like 0). So there is a line of needing to be able to dress well enough that your boss isn't going to worry about what happens if a client sees you in that.I worked in exactly one place where management voiced concerns of this nature. I don't work there anymore.
It's simple - my job description doesn't contain 'impressing clients with clothes'. If you want to add it, pay me extra.
And, in the context of going to an interview, it's your first date with the company... would you go on a first date with a potential-SO in a wrinkled sweatsuit and without pulling a comb through your hair to get it to lay down a little better? Being "more professional" / "cleaning up" compared to your baseline should be expected for a first date situation, either in love or in wallet.
I'm not dating my company. I work, they pay me. I don't expect sex or romantic weekends from it, just like I don't expect women to give me money .
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@dkf said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL said in interview attire 2019:
And they couldn't care less if I dress up as a Dracula
Dracula is known for having good taste in formal wear.
I rather meant teeth, fake blood and top hat.
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@MrL Dracula does not do fake blood…
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@dkf said in interview attire 2019:
@MrL Dracula does not do fake blood…
I think real blood could actually be a problem at the office.
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@MrL Not as much as having a blood-sucking vampire would. Except you've probably got management on site… so good luck with that!
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@MrL said in interview attire 2019:
@dkf said in interview attire 2019:
blood-sucking vampire
managementThey are not that bad.
#notallvampires
I do have a thing for vampires.
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@Zenith said in interview attire 2019:
@boomzilla Central PA. I do receive alot of Indian recruiter spam from the DC area though. Before the clock started ticking, I was going to do T-shirt and jeans to find a nice place to work but I might have to hurry a little now.
I'm in central PA.
It depends entirely on the employer. We've got a bunch of startup style operations (legacy of pre AOL MapQuest and Turtle Beach) where you can show up naked for all they care, we've got boring 19th century manufacturing operations that'll look at you funny if you wear a tie, and we've got Super Serious Stodgy Megacorps that want you to cosplay an IBMer.
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@HardwareGeek said in interview attire 2019:
@Polygeekery We have at least three of them here. @Gąska, @Maciejasjmj, @MrL, does she?
You bastard, forgot about me? I hate you all, pesky Canuks! Hope you die in a sled!
