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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on What IS the Appropriate Attire for an Interview? ]]></title>
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    <language>en-us</language>
    <lastBuildDate>2013-05-21T02:40:13-07:00</lastBuildDate>
             

    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Interview vs Interrogation]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2278754]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[In reality, there is actually no difference between these two words. The general impression of people makes a difference, but it is not this personal impression, or definition that makes the difference. A very real method to determine which word best describes this act of a company is the personel officer of a company. Now, comes the personel department of a company. Unfortunately, I have yet to see even ONE such person who actually does a proper job. (Not even, &quot;E Pluribus Unium&quot;)In this day of modern technology and big corporations, this job has become a mere 'rubber stamp' with high paying salaries. Executives, office staff, and corporate policy rules have made the 'art' of an interview a thing of the past. This 'art' is nothing more today than a waste of time for everyone, because it is NOT geared to getting the best people for the job. Instead, it is geared to getting the best paperwork ON the job. What SHOULD be seen in a company personel officer is a person who is less concerned with any paperwork before hiring, and more about the person ...... IN PERSON!  In my days of hiring, I always found it best to make an interview for a job to be more like a visit with the person on a Sunday afternoon while the person was out mowing his lawn. Although, if I held such interview in a formal office atmosphere, I expected  the person to be presenting himself in as formal dress as the office would tend to indicate. Out mowing the yard would present a whole bunch less of such formal dress. The best rule of thumb is to use the military rule where you wear the 'uniform' appropriate to the task. At a pool, wear trunks, and carry a towel. Working on a car, wear your old work clothes. In a formal office, wear your suit. Many times I would merely hold an interview with a person at some coffee shop. Casual dress appropriate for that coffee shop was more than adequate. How would I handle a first 'walk-in' to apply? I would grab a scratch pad, napkin, or whatever was handy so that I could take name, address, and phone number. Nothing more. That is not the time for an application!  I didn't want to read an application or resume'.  I wanted to 'read' the person first!  How good was he in his personal appearance presentation, how well he would converse with me in a conversation, how well would he appear in his ability to 'think on his feet', how well he appeared to have that good, old common sense (that isn't very common any more). You can never get this type of 'reading' of a person by paperwork. If he tended to appear good in the above points it is very likely he can be trained well by me to do just about any job. Highly technical or skilled work about the type of task I would be hiring him for would come out during our 'visit'.  It can be added into his file on the application or resume' afterwards. So, what should be worn for an interview? Follow the suggestions I have listed above, and just maybe, one day, we might be able to get some real personel officers who can do a real job.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2278754]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[DJnRF]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:47:01 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Very good advise!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2278244]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I like it!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2278244]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[PalKerekfy]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:17:51 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[1 Step up from what the interviewer is wearing.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2277760]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Slappy has it right.  Underdressing sends a message that you either don't care, or are sloppy.Dressing the same level doesn't make you stand out, so if you're no different, then why should we hire you.Way overdressing means you either are stupid, a snob, or just think you're better than everyone else, so why are you looking for a job here?1 step up indicates that you took the time to do a little research, that you respect the interviewer(s), and that you stand out a bit from the playing field.  i.e. you're good, but not threatening.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2277760]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dr_Zinj]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jul 2007 11:21:45 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Interview is 2 way street]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2267081]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[If the company doesn't like my casual wear in an interview, then I probably don't want to work for that company.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2267081]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Alchemist-Joat]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:03:05 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Well apparently]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2267074]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[none of you have ever been in real dire financial situations like my friend.Again, my friend was poor as hell...whether you want to believe it or not.As for borrowing money from family...he had parents who had money...and...they would not loan him anything.  So, count yourself lucky if yours helped you...his wouldn't.JamesRL:  I've been in a hiring firing roll before, and I got there by age 27.  I chose not to be a manager.  So, don't stick that nose up in the air and be all pious with me.  I've been where you are at, and I found it dull, useless, and technically about as challenging as passing gas.  I left it willingly.  I hope you'll say the same for your career rather than being removed through attrition.jdclyde:  Like I said before...because you haven't been there or seen someone who is in it...don't think it doesn't exist.  My friend didn't even make $18k per year, especially when he was mobilized to Ft. Ord in Desert Storm and the military was his only income.  He made $5-something an hour from Revco Drug.  He made a few hundred a month from the National Guard.Luckily enough...someone in management didn't think him totally incompetent because he couldn't borrow money off his relatives or take more loans to enhance his wardrobe.Last I talked to him, he was working as a digital trunk line engineer for Alcatel.Anyway...I must be in the wrong place being around the aristocracy of IT.  I feel out of place here anymore, hence I am making myself scarce.I have no time to argue with people who think that there is a definitive set of traits that define the quality of a person's work ethic, and one of those major indicators being how much you're willing to spend for clothing.I wish you all the best...and hope none of you are judged for technical merit based on your wardrobe.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2267074]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jck]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jun 2007 12:57:05 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[watch it...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265954]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[i will sue for sexual harassment. Of course if it were someone like GG or Shelbot that would be different.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265954]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[NaughtyMonkey]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:43:52 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Spanking the Naughty Monkey]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265676]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Sorry, I just HAD to say that!  Anywho...  You are referring to what I call &quot;Maintaining the illusion of respectability&quot;.When I got my office job, I stopped wearing my ear ring.  At Ozzfest or halloween, I will put one back in, but NEVER at work or around anyone from work.A lot of this goes back to the same ideas of what is proper behavior at an office Christmas party.  Don't drink too much, dress nicely, and don't use this as a time to beotch about how dumb the boss is.Back in &quot;the day&quot;, I ALMOST got a tat on my forearm, but lucky for me I didn't like the idea of getting something off the wall.  Was going to get a falcon, but then my but got an eagle there, so scratch that......]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265676]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jdclyde]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2007 06:46:03 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Please read above comment]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265114]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[http://tinyurl.com/yvxa3t]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265114]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[NaughtyMonkey]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:33:55 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[A suit is usually best...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265113]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Even though I am a short, fat, yet incredibly sexy individual, I have a hard time finding a suit that looks good on me. Thank goodness for my devoted wife who loves to tell me when I look like s**t, but when I do find a suit, I look good.Sorry, I had to talk myself up a little.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265113]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[NaughtyMonkey]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:30:54 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[dress for work vs home]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265110]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I have a pierced lip, a few ear piercings, and multiple tattoos. One tattoo is on my forearm (bad decision when I was 16) so I always  wear long sleeves to interviews unless I know the company is not appearance bias. Usually I wear a suit and lose the jacket if I don't feel I need it. I also never wear any piercings to the interview.After I get a job, I tend to wear long sleeves for a few days and eventually roll them up or something after testing peoples opinions on tattoos. That was a dumb thing to do, but I get by with it. I also never wear any piercings to work. I maintain a professional appearance and dress however is standard for the company. I don't talk about the killer show I went to the night before or how my wife pissed me off. My personal life stays personal and I do my job well. Even after you get a job, you still have to impress in one way or another (hopefully by what you know), so you can't let your guard down right away.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265110]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[NaughtyMonkey]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:24:36 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Thanks cap]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265047]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[&quot;Using a bad situation to be self-righteously blind to the realities of business doesn't get anyone anywhere but into a worse situation.&quot;The &quot;I'm a victim&quot; syndrome these people put themselves in is exactly why there are so many people that are just getting by in life.    Next thing you know, they will think that someone other than themselves should be responsible to pay for their health care.  After that, someone other than themselves should start making their car payments too.....    How did this country sink so low?I had a similar discussion with someone sniveling about how his facial piercings should not stop him from getting a good job.  Waaaaaaaaaaaa.  He got pissed when I told him if I was doing the hiring, he wouldn't make it past the first interview, provided he was able to sneak in that far, and if he DID get that far, it would be a very short interview as he wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell unless we are talking hiring to be a ditch digger that never is seen by the public.Oh, and my boy got lucky.  They just put a splint on his hand instead of a cast.  A lucky turn of events, considering how hot a cast would be this time of year, and the difficulties with taking showers.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2265047]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jdclyde]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:17:08 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Well Said, JD.]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264873]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Whoa.That said it all and in a clear way....sounds like you're used to using a crutch as a lever rather than an excuse. In other words, not allowing roadblocks to equal a dead stop.Good Points.Using a bad situation to be self-righteously blind to the realities of business doesn't get anyone anywhere but into a worse situation.oh... and... Good Luck]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264873]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[CaptBilly1Eye]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:39:37 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[jck, and the poor poor]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264716]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Picture this, I know someone that was working two jobs, bringing in about 18k a year, supporting a wife and twin boys, AND taking 9 credit hours a semester.  You might even know him.... Things are tight all over.Bottom line, many employers don't CARE what your situation is, and seeing you THAT poor can count against you as someone that is hurting for money is more likely to perform petty theft.  That is the same reason some employers will check your credit rating.  Are they suppose to?  No.  Do they?  Yes.I am not sitting here judging anyone for the way they dress.  I am just pointing out the fact that many people that ARE in the position to hire WILL judge you based on how you present yourself.Crying about it not being fair won't help one bit.  It is the real world, and if you wish to play someone else's game, you have to play by their rules.  YOUR only solution is to find someone that has rules you want to play by or become your own boss and make up your own rules.  Simple, really.  Anything else is just making excuses.Right now, that same guy I was referring to has sole custody, and is raising his twin boys with no financial support or assistance from his ex-wife.  Add to that, his oldest twin is trying to be very helpful.  He is helping them to meet their insurance deductible as he just broke his hand skateboarding.  And like I said a few posts ago, I do not own a suit today, but I do have a sports jacket and a nice conservative tie that goes with it.  My boss is retiring at the end of the week, so I think I need to dust it off and update my resume and try to move up the ladder now that an opening is there.  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264716]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jdclyde]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:38:39 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[As a matter of fact JCK]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264670]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Right out of university I didn't get an IT job. I found a job working at a camera store for just over minimum wage. I wore a tweed jacket to my interview for that job.If you really wanna know, I did get a student loan, and my parents were also expected to contribute a fair amount, but they didn't. I don't blame them, my family never had a lot and I had 4 brothers.I didn't drink a lot of beer or eat a lot of pizza in university, and much of what I did consume was due to the generosity of friends. I also got a part time job in my first week of university. I never had a lot of money. I've eaten my fair shair of Ramen and hot dogs and Mac and cheese. When I went for my first IT job interview, I borrowed money from my family for a suit.You can sit there and judge me all you want. But I am closer to the perspective of hiring managers of the vast majority of companies than you.James]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264670]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[JamesRL]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:12:37 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[haha...oh silly jdclyde]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264655]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[1)  he had no cell phone...2)  he had no cable tv3)  he lived in a 1-room efficiency apartment above a garageHe didn't have money, man...if he was blowing money on $hit, I'd have had no sympathy for him.But...don't think the circumstance doesn't exist in the world just because you have not seen it.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2264655]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jck]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 07:00:03 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[And how much was your friends cell phone bill?]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2263900]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[how much was cable tv?no beer and cigs, right?And it sounds like getting an extra $100 on a student loan would have been a smart idea, as the reason he went to college is to be able to get a job, right?  Dressing appropreately to get a job isn't rocket science, and something nice to wear is just one thing that you can do to KEEP from giving them a reason to pick someone else.  When interviewing dozens for a position, do you really think they have a lot else to go on that what your resume and appearance say about you?  First impressions do matter.  Why put yourself at a disadvantage just because someone thinks they shouldn't have to dress a certain way, or spent their money on something they thought was more important than a professional appearance?]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2263900]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jdclyde]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 23 Jun 2007 14:09:11 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[it's not BS]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2263369]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[1) I interviewed with Wal-Mart Corporation last week in Bentonville, AR.  US Airways almost didn't get my bag back to me to have my suit for the interview.  I almost had to go in jeans.2) My friend Harold from college was in the situation of not having any money after he finished and he was working 2 part time jobs to make ends meet (pharmacy store and national guard).  He couldn't afford $79 for a suit.  He ate 4 for $1 packs of Rodeo hotdogs and 4 for $1 Rainbo hotdog buns and 12 for $1 ramen noodles and generic ketchup and what not so he could eat on under $40 a month.It's not BS...it's real life.And BTW...if you had enough money left over from loans to afford that suit after you finished college, I guess you borrowed more than just for your education.Anyways...go on dreaming everyone has it as nice as you did...and tell Tink and Peter Pan in Neverneverland I said hi too.P.S.- I turned down Wal-Mart...]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2263369]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jck]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:07:33 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Dont give me that BS]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2260828]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I went to school on loans, no help from parents. You spend thousands of dollars on school, why wouldn't you spend a few $$ on a suit.Sears warehouse, I have one suit I bought for $79. Or just buy a blazer or sports coat.The point is to make an effort. I had one guy show up in one of those shiny prom suits - not professional, but at least I knew he was trying.You want someone to validate that you can show up how you like? Fine. Don't apply at a Fortune 1000 company - or at least not the vast majority of them.JamesJames]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2260828]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[JamesRL]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:08:49 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I guess you don't get it, JamesRL]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2260726]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[You're 22.Just out of college.From an working-class family.You have a 4.0 from school.You're sharp and good at what you do.You had to go to school on loans.How the hell do you afford a suit?Should you be discounted from the job because you can't afford one?BTW...I *never* said that attitude and demeanor and amiability are not important...especially in a team environment.  I said that the ability to do the job is most important.Looking clean and decent is different than wearing a suit.Some people don't have $199, man.  Feel lucky you did.Anyways, I'm going home.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2260726]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jck]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:04:35 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[looking neat]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2260724]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I think some artwork looks neat.  If by neat you mean showered and maintaining proper hygiene...sure.Some people don't consider a beard to be &quot;neat&quot;.I think they should be clean...hair styled in some way (at least combed).I mean, I know there was a girl at my place of employment who was pushed-off to the side because she had a tongue piercing.  I told the guys that was kind of absurd, because they probably have children or young relatives who have them and they wouldn't put them off because of it.Plus, this girl had a Bachelors and Masters...and she wanted a job as a tech...and she had all the experience.  I don't know why we hired the guy we have, but we did.  She was obviously more qualified (she had more tech experience...the job that she was applying for) than he did (he had been a network admin and hardware consultant).Anyways...people should be clean...and presentable.  But, wearing jeans shouldn't discount you from a job if you don't have a suit.There are some people in this world who are qualified and looking to improve their position in life...and can barely afford the jeans they have.P.S.- If a really hot looking girl is just as qualified as all the others...hell yeah I'd hire her (if she's single :D)  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-225400-2260724]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jck]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:00:11 -0700</pubDate>
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