Going for a job interview this week...

Are there still editors and hiring folks really adamant about the "tie" thing?

Conflicting reports, because I wore a suit for an interview once and the EIC asked me why. Told him that's what people do and he said, "Not here." Then again, an editor I interviewed with for an internship thought I should have worn a tie instead of just a Polo shirt. Guess which gig I got.

For the last few interviews, I've just layered up casually. Solid, dark blue jeans (no wash or fading), a button-up shirt & tie with a sweater or vest, and a lightweight sports coat. Maybe I'll do shoes, or maybe I'll do subtle black sneakers. I'll save the suit for my interview with Esquire.

 

Holy shit, you wear jeans to a job interview? And you get hired?

 

I wouldn't wear jeans to a newsroom interview even if the job entailed covering the agriculture beat.

 

I go with these.

 

i'd tell them stories about cornholing your neighbor. that always keeps people entertained.

 

Don't forget to interview the interviewer(s).

 

The idea that you can never go wrong in a suit and tie backfired for me. So much of it has to do with the shop's culture. I mean, I was hired (freelance) to do some writing and reporting for a national mag off the strength of a conversation during a media event while wearing basketball shorts and bright sneakers.

Funny enough, I got the idea for jeans from the fellow who was hired as EIC at the last little shop I worked. He came in with light blue jeans, a lumberjack-esque plaid shirt, and a solid navy blue tie with brown sneakers/shoes and a sports coat. And he was hired to be my boss. Actually dressed better for his first day of work than the interview, but I think his résumé was fancy enough to outweigh the attire.

After seeing him do that, I gave it a shot. Results have been mixed. Mostly, I'm not getting hired because I'm not white. Might just default back to Ralph Lauren slacks.

 

Well, I'm not getting hired and I am white, so maybe I should try the Ralph Lauren slacks too.

 

Shopping date!

I don't know... I'm exhausted with the interview experience. I'm tired of tap dancing for a gig. Interviews were special in my early 20s because I had the doe-eyed perspective, thinking my life was just beginning. But if I send my best clips from the most impressive places where I'm published, proving that I've been doing this for real for 'x' years, then let's just have a conversation like adults and work out the details for where I fit. And don't make me freelance instead of putting me on staff. I'd like benefits and a 401K.

Sorry for the derail, cworsh. Good luck!

 

The best job I was ever hired for, the hiring manager told me shortly afterwards, "I knew immediately when you showed up in a suit that I was going to hire you."

But that was 6 long years ago; now, I specifically ask someone at the place I'm interested in working at, "what should I wear when I drop by?"

 

I've always worn pants to every job interview I've ever had.

As for coat and tie, tough call. My last few I did wear coat and tie, figured it was better to be overdressed than underdressed. Last place, the guy doing the interviewing was also wearing coat and tie, so I felt much more professional.

 

I've always worn the suit and tie thing, figuring it's the proper apparel for a job interview.

I did go on a couple of interviews for a civil service job where the interviewers were surprised I was wearing a suit. I figured it was a professional-enough job and they were interviewing a lot of people that it was the proper thing to wear. Guess not.