Are interviews just more casual now?

[Anonymous]

I'm hiring manager for a manager level position requiring 5+ years of experience. I've had interviewees join the virtual interview from their current office, not dressed for an interview, join 2-5 minutes late, or don't send a thank you. Am I being too picky or is this how it is now? Our HR department conducted the screening interviews, so these are candidates that passed that.

[Anonymous]

Thank you notes are outdated. It’s an employee’s market rig but now.

Dressing up is not outdated, even for virtual interviews. If there is a camera on, the candidate should look like they are going to an interview.

[Anonymous]

The dressing up part is a sign of current times. Not being on time and not sending a thank you note are both just careless moves and should be an indicator of future problems…

[Anonymous]

I’ve dressed up for many Zoom interviews but found the interviewers looking downright slovenly on the other end. Like I don’t expect business suits, but ratty t-shirts and hoodies… just, c’mon. I guess this is the norm on both ends now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The dressing up part is a sign of current times. Not being on time and not sending a thank you note are both just careless moves and should be an indicator of future problems…

I agree!

[Anonymous]

I think that would depend on your work environment as well. I am interviewing now, and we are a fully remote digital consulting firm. The folks haven't been in hoodies, but I don't expect a suit from them. It wouldn't match the energy of our team or of the work we do. Obviously that might be different for your organization.

There is something elitist about expecting people to buy or own formal clothing anyway, that I think limits the number or type of candidate you might get, so that's something to consider as well.

I have been getting email thank you notes, which I do like. It's really important for the work that we do that they understand our work, have specific skills and can work well with people. What they wear is pretty low on my list, since they will be remote, with few in-person meetings right now.

[Anonymous]

At my law firm it's noted what time you joined the meeting, and everyone is dressed professionally. If you're late to join you won't go to the next round unless you have an excellent reason.

[Anonymous]

I recently had a virtual interview and was given prior instructions to dress up (I had already planned on doing this, a no brainer) but was surprised to see the interviewers in hoodies/tshirts.

thank you notes are pointless. Either interviewers don't reply or employers aren't allowed to reply until the hiring decisions have been worked out.

[Anonymous]

You need to focus energy on job fit and skill fit, not petty details like where they dial in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently had a virtual interview and was given prior instructions to dress up (I had already planned on doing this, a no brainer) but was surprised to see the interviewers in hoodies/tshirts.

thank you notes are pointless. Either interviewers don't reply or employers aren't allowed to reply until the hiring decisions have been worked out.

I recently hired an occupational therapist for my daughter and the intake meeting was virtual. I was SHOCKED when she joined in a hoodie (with a cut collar), visably dirty messy hair thrown on top of her head, and a sweat band-ish headband. This is someone charging me hundreds of dollars an hour and can't even be bothered to pretend to care

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve dressed up for many Zoom interviews but found the interviewers looking downright slovenly on the other end. Like I don’t expect business suits, but ratty t-shirts and hoodies… just, c’mon. I guess this is the norm on both ends now.

Same here. Nothing like dressing in business casual for a Zoom while the interviewer has a full bar cart next to their desk and is interviewing you in PJs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I recently had a virtual interview and was given prior instructions to dress up (I had already planned on doing this, a no brainer) but was surprised to see the interviewers in hoodies/tshirts.

thank you notes are pointless. Either interviewers don't reply or employers aren't allowed to reply until the hiring decisions have been worked out.

I recently hired an occupational therapist for my daughter and the intake meeting was virtual. I was SHOCKED when she joined in a hoodie (with a cut collar), visably dirty messy hair thrown on top of her head, and a sweat band-ish headband. This is someone charging me hundreds of dollars an hour and can't even be bothered to pretend to care

I might have put a little more effort in, but as an interviewer I am using wearing my hair up with a headband and tshirt. My work standards are high and I deliver. Expect the same out of my team. I could almost care less what they are wearing.

Your comment is odd, IMO.

[Anonymous]

I have been wearing a nice sweater, makeup, and jewelry to my virtual interviews (with leggings that no one can see, of course). No way in hell that I would wear a suit jacket on a virtual interview. Only one of my interviewers so far has been wearing anything other than casual clothes and that's because she was calling in from her office that has a dress code. I would never wear casual attire on a virtual interview, even though that's what most of my interviewers have been wearing.

[Anonymous]

I was on one today with both interviewers in hoodies.

[Anonymous]

I recently interviewed. Didn’t have to ask where they went to school cause it was on their sweatshirt I felt so over dressed but didn’t know the vibe of the company. First time in office I wore a nice sweater and black dress paints. I again felt so over dressed.