Would you give preference to a well-dressed person in a job interview?

[July]

Well, would you?

Do your sartorial predilections affect your work decisions?

 

[the law]

Originally Posted by July

Well, would you?

Do your sartorial predilections affect your work decisions?

If it came down to two people, neck in neck for a position, then yes.

Of course that wouldn't be the only consideration.

 

[JLibourel]

I think it would depend on the job: If it were pouring concrete or working on a roofing crew, I'd be a little inclined to look askance at a chap who showed up in the obligatory navy blue suit and black A-E PAs.

For most white-collar positions, I would be inclined to favor the candidate who turned himself out the best, other things being roughly equal. To me, it is an indicator of attention to detail and pride in what you're doing, as well as a show of simple respect. Of course, being the "hateful snob" and "clothes Nazi" that I am, that sort of figures, doesn't it?

 

[whiteslashasian]

It's a good thing I was a fantastic candidate for the job. IIRC I wore a black 3b single vent and single pleat suit with a white point collar shirt and a pretty awful grey and silver striped tie. The rubber soled Bostonians must have sealed the deal.

If I were to be on the other side of the interview I would definitely give preference to a clean cut, well dressed candidate if all of the other qualifications were roughly equal. I know plenty of people who are intelligent, hard working, and personable but dress like slobs. However the truth of the matter is the way one is dressed and groomed will be a great impact on a first impression. This is especially important in client facing roles where the person you hire would represent your company and yourself.

 

[GBR]

not unless I was struggling to separate two otherwise equal candidates. dress is entirely irrelevant to doing the job save in the more extreme circumstances.

So if a youth turned up and thought that he could appear in court in jeans, he might have a problem but if two equals turned up, one in Anderson and Shepherd suit and the other in an RTW rag then the former would have some mileage to do to outclass the other. The owner of the rag could do8btless be persuaded to mend his ways but would earn far better fees regardless.

 

[bigbris1]

I absolutely would and have.

 

[stylemeup]

People will judge other people by how they dress & look, and treat them way better or worse in accordance with how well- dressed and how good they look or not. Even if they don't admit it, they still do this. It's human nature.

 

[bluemagic]

Damn right I will.

 

[scott anderson]

Yes and here is why. A job interview is like a first date with the love of your life. You'd do anything to impress a date. Why wouldn't you want to impress an employer? If you can't take that extra moment to care about your presentation, why should the employer make the HUGE jump of offering you a job.

But, I don't mean dressed in expensive clothing or wearing something that isn't organic to who you are. I mean take an extra moment. Shine your shoes, or straighten your hair or iron your shirt. Just something that elevates your game even in your own mind.

Now, on the flip side say the employer doesn't care about attire, then you at worst feel great about the way you look.

There is so much at play in these kind of situations that you cannot control. But you can control how you look and feel. Why even put yourself in a position of wondering later if not dressing up was what cost you the job.

By and large employes believe that if you are sloppy in your dress you will be a disorganized worker.

If you are fortunate enough to know someone who already works at the company then it's always a good idea to interview in a style that is similar to what people in the company wear. If they wear suits, wear a suit. If they don't wear ties, don't wear a tie. If it's jeans and shirt, then go that way.

You want to present a clean, neat example of what works in that environment. People want someone who they think will fit well with an existing group.

Hope that helps.

 

[Fuuma]

I'd give preference to a well undressed person.

 

[MiloX]

I absolutely do.

The clothes one chooses when interviewing reflects not only their respect for those they do business with, but most importantly it tells me how important they perceive this meeting to be.

 

[MiloX]

Originally Posted by stylemeup

People will judge other people by how they dress & look, and treat them way better or worse in accordance with how well- dressed and how good they look or not. Even if they don't admit it, they still do this. It's human nature.

x eleventy billion

 

[hadamulletonce]

I take it into consideration when narrowing down the field. That said, I've hired totally inappropriately dressed candidates based on their job experience and references.

 

[vitaminc]

Completely depending on the position.

 

[FidelCashflow]

If we're talking about just another office drone, I wouldn't care if he wore square toed shoes, a suit 2 sizes too big, and a fugly tie.

If you think how much a person cares about their clothes has any correlation to how much they care about their job, see what your boss wears on his day off. You'll be surprised.