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Another job interview thread

WalterSobchak

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I have an job interview coming up soon, not sure what to wear. The job involves manual labor in a warehouse, so I don't know what to wear to the interview. Despite the common theme here of always wearing a suit and tie to a job interview, I don't like the idea in this case because it might give the impression that I'm not able or willing to do hard labor. At the same time, I don't think if would ideal to show up in khakis and a T-shirt, although that's what I'd be wearing on the job.

I'm thinking I should stick with the khakis, but wear a sport shirt of some kind. All of my sport shirts are very loud and flashy looking, so I'm assuming I should buy a traditional plaid one. If so, who makes a good one under $40 in a size 3XL? I'd prefer one in a normal weight cotton rather than heavy cotton flannel. What about shoes? Boots or bluchers (both are black)?
 

landshark

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Wearing a suit and tie does not mean you aren't capable of doing hard labor. If you don't want to wear a suit, which you should do, then wear wool trousers, white shirt and a dark tie. Show them you are serious and want the job, you'll probably get it.
 

imschatz

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What do you think your interviewer will be wearing? My guess he probably won't be wearing a suit/tie, so I probably wouldn't wear a suit and tie. Khanki's and a long sleeve polo. If you want to dress it up a bit throw on a blazer.
article_large_pretareporter.jpg
 

MrDaniels

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I would not wear a suit for a job of this nature. I would wear dress pants and a neat button-down shirt and nice shoes. Make it look like you care, but don't look out of place.
 

radicaldog

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Why not just a light blue or white oxford-cloth buttondown shirt? Add a blue blazer if you feel like dressing up a bit. No tie. Clean shoes.
 

R-H

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I'd wear work clothes to the interview. There is almost 0% chance that your interviewer will be in suit in tie or anything similar.

For a warehouse position, all they want to know is that you are reliable and willing to work your ass off.
 

WalterSobchak

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So, the consensus is what I originally thought, that a suit would likely be overkill. I'm lucky enough to even be considered for this job with a college education, so I do think the suit would send a completely wrong message. Well, I don't have a blazer or wool dress pants, nor could I get them on such short notice, due to limited funds until the middle of this month, and the fact that no RTW jacket will fit me well even after alteration, so that's definitely out. So it seems I'm back to the khakis, which seems fine. So, I'm leaning toward wearing a pair of bluchers rather than work boots for the interview, and still undecided on the shirt. Obviously I'm not going to go to the interview with dirty clothes/shoes. Any objections to this so far?

I don't think I'd want to buy a long sleeved polo since I'd probably never wear it again, but I do need to buy a new shirt, so I could use some suggestions on that. I might get a plain OCBD as suggested, or go with my original instinct and look for a plaid one. Trying to keep the cost way down, and my need for a 3XL (unless it's cut very big) makes my choices more limited, so any specific suggestions are welcome. Thanks for the advice so far.
 

R-H

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If you need to buy a shirt, go to the mall and find a inexpensive long-sleeve, light blue, button down.
They won't give a **** if the fit isn't 100%. I still think you should show up the job wearing work clothes (e.g. clothes than you would wear while working at this job). The only thing you have going for you is enthusiasm and willingness to get to work.

Your main concern should be answering, "Why do you want this job?". Work your way up from the warehouse to the corner office jobs are almost nonexistent in 2010. They will probably wonder how long you will stick around before you take your degree and bail to a better job.
 

ljrcustom

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Originally Posted by radicaldog
Why not just a light blue or white oxford-cloth buttondown shirt? Add a blue blazer if you feel like dressing up a bit. No tie. Clean shoes.

+1

-LR
 

Archivist

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Khakis are fine. I'd say wear the bluchers, you said they were black? And I'd go for a blue shirt, just a simple button shirt, maybe a light blue denim or twill work shirt. Plaid is OK. Frankly, if you gut tells you not to come off as too college boy, avoid the OCBD. Go for Wrangler or Lee, or Carhartt.

When I interview people, the ones who are polite, straightforward, and listen as well as present themselves make the best impression. That may sound like obvious advice, but you might be shocked how many people being interviewed are rude and do not listen to or respond to what you ask them. You might also be shocked at how many show up for interviews dressed really poorly. I don't mean not SF approved, I mean not clean, not mended, etc... Granted, I'm talking about engineers here.

Good luck. And if money is really tight, check out local thrift and charity shops for shirts. You can find a perfectly decent shirt at them for cheap.
 

WalterSobchak

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Yeah, I know it probably won't matter if the shirt doesn't fit right, but if I'm spending money on something, I'd rather it be for something I could get more use out of. If it fit poorly, I probably wouldn't be inclined to wear it again. Unless they say that the dress code is any different, which I highly doubt, then I'd expect to wear a T-shirt on the job, but I think I should at least do better than that for the interview. I'm as ready for the interview itself as I can possibly be, so I think I should do fine with whatever they might ask.

Edit: I'll check out the brands listed, thanks.
 

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