From the article: What Not to Wear on an Interview
When you are dressing for a job interview, what you wear makes a difference. What's the worst job interview outfit you've seen or that you have worn, before you knew what to wear? Share The Worst Clothes
blacita
- Some of the best advice I ever got from a job search trainer. He said to either pick up an application or research the company on line to get a sense of the corporate culture of the company you're applying to. Go to the interview dressed in a similar way to those who already work there. F He likened it to an actor going after a role. If you're going for a role as a cowboy don't dress like one out right but just wear clothes that suggest how you'd look in the role. Let the interviewer see you as the person that would fit in.
- —Guest blacita
Confuses
- I went to my first interview in approx. 20 years. I located the facility the day before, had my notes and contact info in order. I looked very good, very professional At interview time, I was met by a lady who I thought might work somewhere else. She was wearing yardwork type clothes. I felt like a funeral director. She escorted me the manager's office. She asked me a few HR type questions. She then flipped her trash bin upside down, took her shoe off, poured herself a cup of coffee, and then explained that she has to elevate her hurt foot. I soon realized this was the hiring manager. I was then given a tour by an overworked/ abused type looking employee wearing jeans and football shirt. I think "nice" clothes were banned. I was taken back to the manager office, only to be told the interview was over because she needed a cigarette. I left only to meet her again in the parking lot. Had a pleasant 5 minute coversation- wierd interview. The job was not offered...What to wear next?
- —lkgrzesik
Dir of HR
- Definitely I remember the ones who were too skimpily dressed. Microskirts and too much cleavage, etc., like many of the above replies. Very distracting. When in doubt, cover up and go more conservative, not less!
- —Guest Kris
"I took your advice"
- I help students get ready to leave our program (resumes, cover letters, interview skills things like that). a student who went through the class had an interview and said he had the perfect outfit! It was a nice button up shirt, nice slacks, nice shoes and a tie. The clothes looked like he slept in them and the (clip on tie) was hanging from about the second button down sideways! Needless to say he did not get the job! I wish he would have showed me the outfit before the interview!
- —Guest C. Montoya
Just Crawled Out From Under a Car
- I was working in a retail copy store and a guy walked up to the counter wearing a pair of baggy, stained sweatpants, an oversized white t-shirt with oil, grease and dirt all over it, and sandals with socks. His skin was covered in dirt and sweat. I asked if I could help him and he said he was scheduled for an interview with my manager! I showed him to the manager's office and then my co-workers and I burst out laughing! He didn't get the job.
- —Guest Jules
Toothpaste
- Going to my interview for my second professional position I smoked cig and then brushed with toothpaste. At some point I wiped my mouth and spread toothpaste almost to my ear. Didn't know until getting back into the car afterward and looking the mirror YIKES. Got the job and mucho heckling from HR guy. Thanks Rick G!
- —Guest petey
Light Blue Suit
- I wore it.. thought I looked just great, got the job and worked for the company for 15 years. However EVERYONE remembered that light blue suit! and not in a good way. I did look like an oversized ice cube.
- —Guest Jayne
My Idiocy!
- My daughter was going for an intern position with a large company and (silly me) I insisted on getting her a REALLY nice suit. She was dressed better than the interviewer....I leave it up to her now...BUT (!) she got the internship which then parlayed into a job after college! so call it luck!
- —Guest stupid mom
No shoes
- A woman came to interview with no shoes, no bra and tank top. She said her feet hurt and wanted to be comfortable. We didnt hire her.
- —Guest Interviewer
Worst Interview Outfit
- That would have to be me at age 20, when I was sent (immediately) from an office I'd worked in temporarily to a dean's office for a secretary job, dressed in cut-off jeans and shirt (a la 1960s). I was hired! No doubt on the strength of the truly great woman I'd worked for before who "saved" me in more ways than one. This second job was one of the best of my entire career (and I did learn how to dress . . . gradually) and how to choose jobs that let me be who I am (not bank office suit correct)! I've been an administrative assistant, university and community college teacher since. I am SO happy someone took a chance on me way back when and looked beyond the "worst job interview outfit" to see a human being and help her grow up and grow into the wide world of community and work. Best bosses practicing humanity!!
- —Guest Jenell
Male Stripper?
- I had an opening for an assistant in human resources and this guy must have done his research since he knew about my sexual orientation, but he didn't know me. He came in with tight-fitting jeans, a sweaty muscle shirt and with his work-out bag. He then said he hadn't had time to put on his dress shirt and proceeded to sensually and slowly change and for me while only partially buttoning his dress shirt. That might work for some, but was a total turn-off for a job interview for me and he was abruptly sent on his way and then the torrent of abusive words was heard throughout the office! What a complete fool he was and must have thought I was-ugh!
- —Guest HR Director
The worst interview outfit
- A woman in my office was interviewing for another job in a different unit. She showed up in hot pink capris pants, a white halter top and a white crocheted knit top. It was awful!
- —Guest nr22
Competitor Branded Clothing
- We always interview people that have worked at our competitors and it's exciting when we get one. I had an interview with one of these folks and he came in wearing a hat and t-shirt with the logo of the competitor on it. He also used one of their vehicles to drive to the interview. My co-workers went nuts wondering why there was a truck in the parking lot from the evil competitor!
- —Guest Mike
Fashion
- A young lady walked into my office for an interview with torn jeans, T shirt with _I.T.C.H across her chest, high heels and a ball cap! and she was interviewing for receptionist position at a high end Tailor shop! To think, we were looking for someone who can assist people with fashion..:)
- —Guest Sarah
Suit Overload
- It was my first job interview and I was extremely nervous. I wanted to look sharp, and bought a really nice grey suit, shoes, hair, purse, etc. Turned out the office was full of recent grads, all wearing jeans, sneakers, and well-worn T-shirts. I felt uncomfortable being overdressed compared to my interviewer, but still got the job. Learned my lesson and have done more research before going on interviews.
- —Guest Ro
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