Applicant showed up wearing a denim jacket and sandals

[Anonymous]

A candidate showed up for an interview for a professional position wearing a denim jacket, a flowy skirt, a t-shirt, and some sort of sandals. This is a master's level position in a government agency. There's nothing funky or hip about it. She interviewed great and we liked her and her qualifications are pretty good. It's been a while since I interviewed for anything. Is this a thing now? Should an applicant's outfit factor into the hiring decision? Is it fair to make judgments about an applicant's hireability based on what they wear?

[Anonymous]

I hire people and don’t take into account their clothes but I hire for IT.

[Anonymous]

Seems fine to me

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Would her outfit be ok for the office every day? I work for the gov and that would be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A candidate showed up for an interview for a professional position wearing a denim jacket, a flowy skirt, a t-shirt, and some sort of sandals. This is a master's level position in a government agency. There's nothing funky or hip about it. She interviewed great and we liked her and her qualifications are pretty good. It's been a while since I interviewed for anything. Is this a thing now? Should an applicant's outfit factor into the hiring decision? Is it fair to make judgments about an applicant's hireability based on what they wear?

Focus on that right there. It does not seem that she was dirty, smelly or was dressed in an offensive manner. Just has a different fashion sense. It sounds like she would be a good hire.

[Anonymous]

Not appropriate but depending on the agency, I would overlook it if everything else was great and talk to her about it. Hi, we want to extend a job offer but we have a professional dress code.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hire people and don’t take into account their clothes but I hire for IT.

With some IT, you are just happy they shower once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would her outfit be ok for the office every day? I work for the gov and that would be fine.

It was much more casual than anyone else in the department dresses. We are at most a dressy jeans outfit on Fridays. I'm not sure how seriously she'd be taken dressing like that every day.

[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.

If you have a dress code, tell her about it when you hire her. I'm sure she'll comply.

[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.

Good call.

But you haven’t answered the question on whether that is office appropriate for your agency.

[Anonymous]

This would be a big NO for me and my organization. Her lack of care in her attire indicates that she doesn't know how to read professional situations and to meet expectations. Would you want her to present to your boss in that attire? Or at a conference? Probably not. Yet if she shows up to a job interview dressed as she was it is a strong indicator that she would also dress that way for other things. Why take that risk? There are other fish in the sea who are more trainable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would her outfit be ok for the office every day? I work for the gov and that would be fine.

It was much more casual than anyone else in the department dresses. We are at most a dressy jeans outfit on Fridays. I'm not sure how seriously she'd be taken dressing like that every day.

That’s your problem right there. Dressy jeans. Who wears them!!??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would her outfit be ok for the office every day? I work for the gov and that would be fine.

It was much more casual than anyone else in the department dresses. We are at most a dressy jeans outfit on Fridays. I'm not sure how seriously she'd be taken dressing like that every day.

That’s your problem right there. Dressy jeans. Who wears them!!??

I mean as in dark jeans with a dressy blouse or sweater. No t-shirts, sneakers, sweats, etc.