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Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Job interview clothes
I had an interview last week and the two recruiters I spoke with both told me to feel free wearing jeans and even sent this over in the email with the interview details.
I didn't listen, but dressed down from what I would usually wear, and wore gray trouser pants and a black cowl neck top, a chunky fun necklace and black heels.
I got called back in for a second interview but was told I needed to "let my hair down" and let them know that I can be fun and not all business and fit in with their laid back style. This is at a fairly new startup.
What in the world do I wear to my follow up interview?
Re: Job interview clothes
Two options:
Trouser jeans, a fun tank, an open cardigan, and a chunky necklace
Skinny pants, a longer top, open cardigan, fun earrings on necklace
What industry?
this.
Very likely the same industry you work in, the one I used to work in, and the one DH is in.
She mentioned a small start-up... it seems like tech is the type of industry who would tell you that in a recruiting interview, no?
Honestly, I'm a little surprised they told you that - I think a good recruiter will do whatever they can to make you feel comfortable and whether you wear jeans to the office or not, they shouldn't use that to evaluate you. You did the right thing by erring on the side of caution and over-dressing as opposed to under-dressing.
That said, I'd wear a pair of dark jeans, a top that you're comfortable in, and some fun jewelry. If you're applying for a job in tech (which is what it sounds like), you could even buy some tech-inspired jewelry if you wanted (only if it fits your personality obviously); I've seen cute LED light-up necklaces and stuff.
Also, I think you can show them you fit in with their laid-back style in more ways than in just the way you dress - you could ask about the office's social scene, how they have fun, ask for a tour of the place, ask how they collaborate, etc. You can then share stories that show you can relate. For example, I used to work at a company that had nerf gun wars, video games everywhere, and took extravagant company trips to Vegas. It was a work hard / play hard type of environment, and you just want to be able to communicate to the recruiters that you can fit in with their team. You might use the last minutes of your interviews to ask your interviewers to describe the environment, what they like about working there, what they're looking for in a coworker, etc., and then you can share stories / experiences that highlight how well you'd fit in. And if you find yourself thinking you wouldn't fit in, then you made the most of your interview time because you determined it ultimately wasn't a good fit.
Good luck!
IMHO I'd argue against this. I interview people on a weekly basis and from an interviewer's POV this would be highly distracting and not professional at all. I get that they want you to have a little fun, but this wouldn't be the best way to do it.
I'd also argue against this.
A woot necklace (http://www.etsy.com/listing/59650589/woot-necklace-all-sterling-silver), sure.
A light-up led necklace, definitely not.
I wore trouser jeans for all of the interviews for my current position. Dark wash jeans are good, too.
When I said cute, I was thinking along the lines of something like this: http://www.adafruit.com/inecklace
Clearly tech and if you don't want it to light up, take the battery out. As a former professional recruiter for a pretty successful Bay Area start-up (meaning I interviewed people daily), I wouldn't mind something like that at all. She shouldn't buy something huge and obnoxious, but I think the above is fine. Heck, we had someone come in dressed up as a pig once for a job interview and they got the job - if she's interviewing for a tech job, any good tech company won't focus on what she's wearing and instead will focus on how well she can do her job. That's one of the best things about working in tech.
♥ bfp1 06/14/2011 ♥ edd 02/22/2012 ♥
♥ baby jennlin born on 02/15/2012 ♥
who says you can only wear your wedding dress once?
honeymoon bio ♥ married bio ♥ planning bio
jumped ship to the new and improved nest. back to TB for baby boards.
Yah - I got the tour, we compared company events we've all done before, etc. So I thought I was getting across that I'd fit in.
The route of trouser pants and a top is what I was thinking. Me and skinny jeans are a no go.
I'll scour the house for ideas tonight and then head out tomorrow on lunch if I think I need something different.
Truthfully, wear whatever you're comfortable in, because that's how you'll interview the best. If they don't like you because of what you're wearing, I don't imagine you'd be happy there on a day to day basis. I had people interview wearing all sorts of different outfits - from full-on suits to shorts and sandals to costumes to pajamas - and what always mattered the most with our interviewers was whether or not the candidate was competent and good for the position. From what you post online (not knowing you IRL), you seem intelligent / competent, so if you meet the particular skill requirements for the job I think you'd be fine (plus you're on Round 2 which is almost always a good sign). I'm a little surprised the recruiters are making such a big issue out of how you dress... seems like a weird thing to be hung up on, and seems like it's causing you unnecessary stress. Maybe they're just really fixated on replicating "start up" culture...?
When I did my tour - I did see people in hoodies and slippers. One of the guys that interviewed me was in skinny jeans and a flannel shirt. Others seemed to be the jeans and sweater route.
A mutual friend that knows someone at the company said I should show up in board shorts with a flask in hand.. but I think I'll refrain.
Eh, it is what it is. I know its between me and one other person at this point.
Ha! This made me LOL and I love your friend's suggestion (though agree with your decision). We actually served several of our candidates alcohol during their interview process, but generally only after it had concluded (optional, obviously); we'd invite them to our Happy Hours that were hosted every Friday (if they interviewed on Friday) to get a feel for "company culture" and the alcohol flowed freely... sometimes in the form of ice luges built onto ice bars. Such a weird world, the tech / internet industry is... regardless, good luck and let us know how it turns out!
And PS - I couldn't agree more with you on the skinny jeans thing. I just never was a fan of them, no matter how much I was told I should be because they're trendy.
♥ bfp1 06/14/2011 ♥ edd 02/22/2012 ♥
♥ baby jennlin born on 02/15/2012 ♥
who says you can only wear your wedding dress once?
honeymoon bio ♥ married bio ♥ planning bio
jumped ship to the new and improved nest. back to TB for baby boards.
definitely wear jeans. maybe some dark jeans, flats, and a nice top. nothing too fancy.
this too.