i hate tact, job interview dress standards.?

Question

I am totally paranoid about looking respectable but not overdressed for job interviews.

I am going for science jobs, but i guess you could say i dress like an artist... weird. I don't try to look weird (i'm not some punk teenager) it just comes naturally. So i find it hard to dress appropriately when i need to.

I am not going well in interviews and I asked one interviewer for general feedback after i didn't get the job? among my questions i asked if my personal presentation was ok and she said it was fine, was she just being tactfull? (She poninted out a few other things i could work on, and she explained that there was another applicant that was much more qualified.)

I normally look somewhere between a goth, a feminine japanees punk, and a butch dyke, but no jewlery or make up, hard to describe really. I try to neaten up for job interviews, i'm just not sure if i "scrub up well".

Do you think i do "scrub up" alright?
Or was the interview lady just being tactful?

Do you think there really was a more qualified candidate, or was i just scary/rude/weird in the interview?

I have just graduated so it seems highly plausable that there was a more qualified candidate... but it also seems like exactyly what you would tell someone in a rejection letter/call if you were trying to "soften the blow".

varg! I hate tact! if there was no such thing as tact i would never be paranoid like this!

CLARIFICATION

I wish i could bold in this, my main question is do you think she was being honest or tactfull?

1. when she said it was just a skills issue (i.e. i didn't do or wear anything too studpid in the interview)

2. was she being honest about my look, or just tactful?

I assume they would still say "there were many highly skilled applicants" in the rejection letter, even if you were the worst of a bad bunch.

i hate tact.

Answer 1

I hate dressing up for job interviews because I always end up wearing something that I would NEVER wear otherwise. But that's what you gotta do. I took a business class once and this is basically what I was taught about job interview apparel (and not necessarily in this order these are just the things I remember):

1. If you wear jewelry, keep it light and simple. They don't want to hear you jingle when you walk.

2. Make up is nice but no bright colors. Use all natural eye shadows and lip colors. I would say good light make up would be: concealer for blemishes, loose powder, light blush, mascara, and lip balm. Maybe even a light toned eye shadow.

3. If you are going to wear a skirt make sure it goes to your knees and that you are wearing nylons (I know - nylons suck)

4. Closed toed shoes are best. Open toed shoes look more like you are going clubbing.

What I wore to my last job interview (I got the job and have been there for two years) was dress pants with subtle stripes on them, black top, and closed-toed flats (or as I like to call them, grandma shoes)

As far as the actual interview part, make sure you give good eye contact, smile often but don't over-do it. And if they ask you what you have to bring to the table make sure you say that you are inquisitive so you like to ask many questions to make sure you are getting it right. Say you are a fast learner and that you like learning new things, and that you most enjoy working in a professional environment.

Answer 2

You do have to dress up. As a guide, look at what the other staff wear and go for one better. Perhaps look at what management wear. You don't always have to wear a suit and tie though. A suit and no tie; or nice pants, shirt and a tie can be just as good. A nice dress shirt and nice pants is enough in most cases. Make sure they are ironed, your shoes match and are polished, you are clean and tidy, preferably cleanly shaven too, etc.. By dress shirt I mean a plain colour or with a very subtle pattern, don't wear plain white unless you're wearing a suit, it just looks poor. Short sleeves is fine too, you don't need to wear long sleeves in the middle of summer. If you had a trial you could wear those clothes but there may be other applicants and it's always best to try and look your best. Unless they tell you to dress otherwise, dress the part. For a group interview ALWAYS dress to impress. It's basically a fashion parade, they're stupid and pointless, unless your a stunner, you won't get the job. I hate them personally.

Answer 3

As both a person who has interviewed and one who does the interviewing for the company I work, let me begin by saying you earn major points for your post-turn down feedback. A lot of people do not consider, this tactic. It shows your overall desire to work for that company as well as the willingness to constantly improve. Employers like a person who is willing to learn and change in order to fit their needs. You will find, if another positions opens within that company, you will get higher marks than someone equally qualified.

Now to your question. As to your attire, you can never really judge a person's response. Keep those questions to your resumé and qualifications.

Some dress standards for interviews. Do not concern yourself with over dressing the part. I mean don't show up dressed for the prom, but your 'Sunday best' will do nicely. Employers know their prospective people will be dressed nicely and expect a certain amount of nervousness.

The only fine line here is don't look trashy. You know those people who try to dress up and look like they are working the streets.

Now for some tips to help you. Depending on the job, the interviewer might have 10 or might have 50 people coming in to interview. They are going to be dressed well, and this leaves the decision down to resume, qualifications and how your handled the interview. So you need to stand out somewhere, and you can make up for the areas you lack in with a few 'extras.'

These two will help more than you might think. Wear a conversation piece (not the whole outfit), but one item that stands out, can start a conversation or make the interviewer remember 'oh the girl with the flower in her hair' or 'remember the girl with butterfly on her dress?' (these are just flashy examples, it doesn't have to be that dramatic, just something tasteful they will remember. For guys it's a flashy tie or non-typical color shirt). And for Pete's sake, don't wear white - you and the rest of the 50 applicants coming in and out will start to look like a bar code.

Secondly, include a headshot of yourself with your resumé. If your interview process went well and you included that conversation piece, when they scan through the resume´s they will then associate a black & white piece of paper with a face and a conversation.

Some other tips. Make sure to ask questions about the company. People always ask how much they will make, but rarely ask, what type of clients do you serve, what are the company's goals looking forward. It gives a good sense that you plan to be with them long term and that you hope to make a real difference, not just saying that in your resumé.

Hope this helps, Lawrence

Answer 4

I think she was being honest with you. If she gave you honest feedback on other aspects of your interview then I think we can assume she was being honest. The science field is not exactly known for being on the cutting edge of fasion.

That being said, for interviews it's worth investing in a flattering suit. The interview is NOT the time to show what a sparkling individual you are. If you can afford it I would go down to Ann Taylor and tell the clerk you need a comfortable, classic suit to wear for interviews. At the very least get thee to Brooks Brothers for an oxford shirt and slacks. Is it the 'real you'? I doubt it. But you won't have to worry if your attire is appropriate which will put you much more at ease during an interview.

Save the punky clothes for after you get the job. And good luck on the hunt!

Answer 5

I don't know what you wore or what neatening up entails, so it's hard to say. I'm a bit of peculiar dresser myself, but I find you can't go wrong with a few really basic items. For instance, a pair of black trousers paired with a tailored white blouse will take you almost everywhere. Try dressy shoes, like a pair of ballerina flats, loafers, or modest heels. If you're wearing wacky goth boots or big platform heels you might be making a bit the wrong impression. Another classic standby: find a black shirt-dress and wear it with opaque stockings and pair of dressy boots or heels. I imagine you have short hair? You might add a bit of styling cream to make it look a bit more polished.

If you're still wobbly on the interview process generally, you might try the career center at the school you just graduated from. They can help you.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Hard to tell. There's no way of knowing for sure.
Certainly, having done interviews myself, I'm not going to say, "Well, that purple mohawk of yours put me off a bit."
You just can't be that rude to someone.
I don't think it's right to tell you there's a better candidate if there's not. She could certainly tell you ploitely that you just don't suit the job or the working environment. I know it's painful to hear but less annoying than sugar coating it.

Get a couple of trusted friends to check you out before you go for an interview. We never see ourselves as others do. They might notice some odd piece of jewelry or tell you to take off the black nail polish before you go. You know what I mean.

Above all, don't lose hope. Your perfect job will come along and if you were stuck at the one with the overly tactful interviewer you would miss out on the perfect one :)

Answer 7

I think she was beeng tackful.

Unfortunately, first impressions do make people sit up and take notice.

I think, after having my own company, and working some other big companies, it is much better for you to go to an interview, in a simple straight skirt, a nice simple and not revealing top, with a jacket over it, simple shoes, not sandals, and tie you hair back neatly.

Also, it is a good iedea to to some 'homework' on the company, so you can ask therm some pertinant questions about their company. This always impresses people.

But remember. First impressions count

Good luck.

Answer 8

If you're a scientist, they expect you to be a little odd. It is probable that someone with a bit more experience got the job. Keep trying, it's pretty rare to get the ideal job right out of school.

If you're worried about it though, get a suit. that way, you don't have to worry about what goes with what. There is NO WAY a suit looks too bohemian unless you put it with combat boots. Make sure your shoes are not scuffed, and wear a tiny bit of makeup. That's the safest route, so you can spend less time thinking about what to wear and more time thinking about how to put your qualifications forward.

Answer 9

It's not about your personal taste, it's about professionalism. Get 2-3 simple, professional looking outfits-dress slacks and a blouse are fine-and wear them. You can wield your sense of style after you have the job.

Answer 10

You can never go wrong in a pair of dark slacks or skirt and a white blouse .......... don't over do the make up and to much hair .

Good Luck !...................