got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

[LiteHedded]

I'm graduating college in the next couple of weeks and I've been applying all over town.
my first interview is scheduled for tomorrow and i was wondering what I should wear? :P
i was thinking a polo shirt and khakis but is that too casual?
i know some of you guys have done some hiring (and firing) so I thought I'd run it by you.
the job title is systems administrator but I have no idea which one of the hundreds of systems admin jobs I applied for this is. :D

[jur1st]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

i was thinking a polo shirt and khakis but is that too casual?

Unless you're applying for a job flipping burgers or staring at a pool, this is definitely too casual. Depending on where you're interviewing you should wear something between a shirt and tie (small operation) and a suit (Fortune 500 company).

I have no idea which one of the hundreds of systems admin jobs I applied for this is.

You should probably try to figure that out as soon as possible. Do a little research on the company and the person you're interviewing with, if you know.

Good luck.

[Chris]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

I have interviewed a lot of perspective employees in my life. Even if I work at a place that lets you wear shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops, if a person doesn't wear a suit to an interview with me there is almost zero chance of them getting the job.

[LiteHedded]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

well I don't own, and at the moment cant afford, a suit. (i wont go into details)
maybe I can rustle up a dress shirt and a tie with some dark slacks.
would that do it?

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

my personal policy has always been to wear a suit when first meeting a prospective employer or client, then to immediately adopt as blatantly casual attire as will be tolerated as soon as i begin work.

heh, much like which side of the bed you sleep on... the first couple of days are critical in establishing trends and standards which will usually last for the duration of a relationship. i like to see if i can get away with sandals, shorts, and sweaters as opposed to collared shirts right away since i disdain stuffy business attire. (this hasn't failed me yet.)

[Chris]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

my personal policy has always been to wear a suit when first meeting a prospective employer or client, then to immediately adopt as blatantly casual attire as will be tolerated as soon as i begin work.

heh, much like which side of the bed you sleep on... the first couple of days are critical in establishing trends and standards which will usually last for the duration of a relationship. i like to see if i can get away with sandals, shorts, and sweaters as opposed to collared shirts right away since i disdain stuffy business attire. (this hasn't failed me yet.)

I agree 100%. I am the most casual person ever when it comes to dress, and I will push the boundaries of what is tolerated at every turn...AFTER I have the job.

[theprez98]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

well I don't own, and at the moment cant afford, a suit. (i wont go into details)
maybe I can rustle up a dress shirt and a tie with some dark slacks.
would that do it?

No credit card? This is one purchase you really can't afford not to make.

A nice business suit for your interviews could be the best investment you ever make. If you get the job, the suit was worth it.

If you don't have a credit card, you probably ought to get one. Establishing good credit will do you wonders when it comes to auto loans, mortgages, etc.

[Gobniu]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

It all depends on where you live. However dress as formally as possible (skip a tux though we aren't talking black tie dinner party, at least I think we aren't) I always say If they give you a style of dress (Like business casual or business) go one step higher on the ladder. I would say you can't go wrong with a suit, however it's a little late to get one properly fitted and all. I would see about a wedding shop to see if they can do a rush job on a suit for you tell them that it's a wedding on really short notice. hope this helps, and Good luck.

P.S. - What Prez said was very good advice a suit is a great investment.

[AlxRogan]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

If you don't have a credit card, you probably ought to get one. Establishing good credit will do you wonders when it comes to auto loans, mortgages, etc.

On-topic: I agree with everything that's been said so far regarding dress at interviews. I also push the dress code for wherever I work, AFTER making that impression up front. I personally would be really worried if I saw a SysAdmin working in a suit.

Maybe OT: The last two IT/INFOSEC jobs I have had required a background check which includes a credit check. Right, wrong, or indifferent, if you have bad credit or no credit, you may find yourself shut out based on that. Just a heads-up.

Either way, good luck.

[LiteHedded]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

maybe I'll put a suit on a credit card. I dunno.
but it's certainly too late for this one. i just got the call back today that they wanted to interview me tomorrow

[Thorn]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

At the very least wear a dress shirt, tie, dark slacks and a sports jacket. Even if you don't have all that you should be able to get it all a the nearest men's shop or mall tonight.

Back when I used to do interviews, if people didn't wear a dress shirt and tie to an interview, they didn't get even get close to the next step. In my mind it reflected that they weren't willing to take that minimal effort for the interview, then they wouldn't put any effort into the job.

[TheCotMan]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

If you are going to a government, or corporate job, suits that looks nice are often expected. Any suit should also look relaxed, comfortable, (as should you) but good condition, and coordinated. (A brand new non-tailored suit says, "look at my costume!")

You don't want them thinking about the clothes more than they think about you. So, your suit shouldn't be, "too nice."

Most important to getting a job:
Credentials (some source the employer trusts to tell them you have skills they want/need)
More than "who you know" is "who knows you" and their opinion of you. Friends/family or friends of friends/family looking to hire people? Call in some favors. Nepotism and cronyism are words created to describe kinds of human behavior for a reason. ;-)

Getting an Interview:
Research the company. Know names of peopl in HR, and try to get phone numbers. Try to ensure they can put a face to that resume. Bring the human aspect.
Ask questions.
This research can help you to know what you should wear to each interview.
SE can help you influence people. SE works better when you have done some recon and have useful information.
From this, you can know what they would prefer on a resume: (example)
A) 100% of listed skills should be related to the job?
B) Majority of skills are related to job, but also include other skills to show you are a resource well beyond their target?

During the interview:
Confidence, presentation/posture, honesty, being genuine
"Thinking on your feet"
Being able to confidently demonstrate any claims on paper or stated in the interview with correct and proper responses.

Most important with keeping a job:
Competency
Team player

Most important for promotions:
Better than competent
Advanced degrees. (Especially MBA combined with advanced technical degrees in your chosen field)
Leadership, following diections, good with speeches and presentations.
meeting deadlines on-target, on spec and on-Time

If your purpose is to collect unemployment as long as possible, attend your interviews naked.

[Chris]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

Most important for promotions:

Advanced degrees. (Especially MBA combined with advanced technical degrees in your chosen field)

I am curious what people's opinions on this is. Personally, I haven't found advanced degrees to be at all valuable when it comes to promotions and advancement. In my experience, performance is all that matters.

Maybe that's different if you are switching jobs and trying to switch up to a higher level position. What do you guys think?

[TheCotMan]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

I am curious what people's opinions on this is. Personally, I haven't found advanced degrees to be at all valuable when it comes to promotions and advancement. In my experience, performance is all that matters.

Maybe that's different if you are switching jobs and trying to switch up to a higher level position. What do you guys think?

The MBA and advanced degree is for positions of Director and higher. Here is why:
Presidents, CEO, CFO, and their peers like people that can manage employees, balance departemental budgets, build annual reviewgoals, work with employees to optimize performance per cost.

This is also more common in research and development, or in cases where the director manages people with Ph.D and Masters degrees.

Lower down the food chain, the managers of the people with the 4 year degrees that are doing the coding, don't necessarily have managers as qualified.

I've observed that people with degrees get promoted faster than people without degrees, and people with MBA tend to get promoted into management much faster than those without any kind of business degree.

[Thorn]

Re: got an interview tomorrow (weird question)

I am curious what people's opinions on this is. Personally, I haven't found advanced degrees to be at all valuable when it comes to promotions and advancement. In my experience, performance is all that matters.

Maybe that's different if you are switching jobs and trying to switch up to a higher level position. What do you guys think?

shrug. In my experience it depends on the place and the boss. At one job the boss had come up from the streets, had a night school BA, and he didn't give a damn about any degrees as long as the performance was there. When he retired, he was replaced by a guy with a PhD. The new boss who seemed to care little about performance, and was apparently only interested in the letters following one's name.