Applicant showed up wearing a denim jacket and sandals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it be an issue if she dressed for work that way? Was she neat, clean, and well-groomed?

She was neat, clean, and well-groomed. Just very casual. It made me question her maturity and judgment.

Would her outfit have been appropriate for a regular workday? Please answer this question.

I did answer this question earlier. It would not. It would get a side-eye and she'd not be taken seriously as a professional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it be an issue if she dressed for work that way? Was she neat, clean, and well-groomed?

She was neat, clean, and well-groomed. Just very casual. It made me question her maturity and judgment.

Would her outfit have been appropriate for a regular workday? Please answer this question.

Asked and answered. Read the darn thread.

[Anonymous]

That is such a strange, strange choice for an interview in a government position. What could she possibly have been thinking? I would question her judgment too.

[Anonymous]

I would still consider her.

It is hard to know how to dress at an interview. I have gone the other way and dressed professionally and then did not look “fun” enough.

[Anonymous]

I would question her judgment. I tend to wear business casual at my govnt job (black pants and a blouse with flats), but I definitely wouldn't show up to an interview in a jean jacket and sandals. She's immature.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bring her in for a second interview just to see if she picked up on her inappropriate dress. If she comes back dressed appropriately you are good to go.

This is actually what I am leaning toward doing. I liked her a lot and I would hope she picked up on the dress code from the panel. If she did, it will tell me a lot about her maturity and judgment. If she didn't, well....

I would do this. Maybe her background didn't prepare her for a more formal government office. If you invite her back, you'll see if she was perceptive enough to figure out that she was underdressed.

[Anonymous]

Really, how she dressed is a huge consideration? Is she smart, can she do the job? Can you tell her no more denim and she gets that memo?

Too often I see this odd thinking. You’re going to go with the candidate who dressed the part vs. brains!?!?!

So, 1984. Do we clock into work too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of my best hires arrived fairly casual. I’m in IT. I’ve had to fight for them in hiring over the idiot in a suit. Appearances are important and yet deceptive. I call them Decepticons.

It’s one day. You should know, as a good hiring manager, who is best for the job apart from shiny shoes or a pearl necklace.

Any brilliant jackass can learn to wear a suit when needed. Hire the brilliant jackass.

+1

[Anonymous]

Omg, professional attire or we won’t take you serious? At a government job?

I’m in tech so there is NO dress code, but we work on life saving systems that protect the American people.

If you take your mission seriously and have a capable candidate looking for a relaxed modern work environment don’t give up on them so easily. There are so many mindless drones in the bureaucratic divisions of the govt.

That said I guess in the Bay Area wearing a suit can scuttle your interview, so even modern places can have bad priorities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Omg, professional attire or we won’t take you serious? At a government job?

I’m in tech so there is NO dress code, but we work on life saving systems that protect the American people.

If you take your mission seriously and have a capable candidate looking for a relaxed modern work environment don’t give up on them so easily. There are so many mindless drones in the bureaucratic divisions of the govt.

That said I guess in the Bay Area wearing a suit can scuttle your interview, so even modern places can have bad priorities.

But this candidate was not interviewing for tech in the Bay Area. She was interviewing for a staid government job. How could she not know what to wear? All she had to do was google “what to wear government interview.” If she can’t do that most basic piece of research... what else can’t she do? It says a lot about her judgment that she just thought “what the heck I’ll wear a denim jacket and sandals.” And this is someone with a graduate education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg, professional attire or we won’t take you serious? At a government job?

I’m in tech so there is NO dress code, but we work on life saving systems that protect the American people.

If you take your mission seriously and have a capable candidate looking for a relaxed modern work environment don’t give up on them so easily. There are so many mindless drones in the bureaucratic divisions of the govt.

That said I guess in the Bay Area wearing a suit can scuttle your interview, so even modern places can have bad priorities.

But this candidate was not interviewing for tech in the Bay Area. She was interviewing for a staid government job. How could she not know what to wear? All she had to do was google “what to wear government interview.” If she can’t do that most basic piece of research... what else can’t she do? It says a lot about her judgment that she just thought “what the heck I’ll wear a denim jacket and sandals.” And this is someone with a graduate education

Yeah read my post. I was saying tech companies can be closed minded about attire.

When i think government worker I do not think sharp dresser.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Omg, professional attire or we won’t take you serious? At a government job?

I’m in tech so there is NO dress code, but we work on life saving systems that protect the American people.

If you take your mission seriously and have a capable candidate looking for a relaxed modern work environment don’t give up on them so easily. There are so many mindless drones in the bureaucratic divisions of the govt.

That said I guess in the Bay Area wearing a suit can scuttle your interview, so even modern places can have bad priorities.

But this candidate was not interviewing for tech in the Bay Area. She was interviewing for a staid government job. How could she not know what to wear? All she had to do was google “what to wear government interview.” If she can’t do that most basic piece of research... what else can’t she do? It says a lot about her judgment that she just thought “what the heck I’ll wear a denim jacket and sandals.” And this is someone with a graduate education

I tend to agree - but if you really liked her then bring her in for a second interview. My opinion would also change if she was flying in from another part of the country and just didn't know. We had a girl from LA in my law school in TX that would show up in a sports bra and leggings to class and everyone was like, WTH. Granted, that was over 20 years ago, but at the time athleisure was a not a normal, every day look.

[Anonymous]

Is this person young (so doesn’t know better?)

Do you have other top candidates? I would bring back for a second interview and also check references.

I agree it shows lack of judgment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it be an issue if she dressed for work that way? Was she neat, clean, and well-groomed?

She was neat, clean, and well-groomed. Just very casual. It made me question her maturity and judgment.

Contact her references and/or former employers and focus on maturity and judgement, if that is your only reservation. Review dress code, and other work standards, clearly up front on the first day, as you would with any employee. Applicant might bring some fresh air into your organization.

P.S. Do any other ladies remember a boxy interview suit worn with a high necked blouse with a built-in tie that was supposed to be tied in a bow (circa 1980's)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would it be an issue if she dressed for work that way? Was she neat, clean, and well-groomed?

She was neat, clean, and well-groomed. Just very casual. It made me question her maturity and judgment.

This. Even if it might ultimately be a casual workplace, a candidate should always put their best foot forward in an interview and risk being overdressed. You will never look unprofessional for being well-dressed, but the opposite indicates a potential lack of awareness to professional norms that might have implications down the line. It might not be a deal breaker in the end, but it's definitely something worth taking into consideration.