[ale] Since we're on the subject of jobs lately

[tom]

On Wed, 16 Jul 2008, Jeff Lightner wrote:

> Who said anything about functionality?
>
> However, since you asked:  They're great for catching things that would
> otherwise land on your shirt.   Back when I wore suit & tie I usually
> had a spare tie at work.  I've NEVER kept a spare shirt at work.

And - if I am not mistaken, the origin of the tie was a napkin which was 
pretty much knotted onto your neck. Washing the napkin was cheaper than 
washing one of your two shirts.

>
> Personally I never really minded wearing a suit - it was like garanimals
> for adults - no need to coordinate top and bottom - just wear a neutral
> colored shirt and a conservative tie with the suit.  :-)
>

I _like_ that desciption of a suit! "garanimals for adults"!

> What's the functionality of wearing pants instead of a kilt?  Why wear
> clothes at all on warm days?  We all conform to some degree either due
> to custom or law.   Those who don't, typically end up living under
> bridges or in jails.

Or dead. We are social critters, and depend on our neighbors.

>
>

I'm a lousey person to get career advice from, and interviews are probably 
a weakness in a weak case. That said...

That said, if you own a suit & tie, and can wear it reasonably 
confortably, wearing it to an interview probably will not hurt. 
Substituting a conservative sport jacket with matching slacks probably 
works also, and you might get more use out of the clothes. The sport 
jacket/slacks approach can be tuned tie/tieless depending on conditions. 
And my personal suggestion would be to learn to tie a real tie and wear it 
like it is comfortable as opposed to a clip-on style.

I can think of conditions where "formal" dress at an interview might not 
be appropriate - such as an engineering position at a manufacturing site 
where there might be safety &/or durability issues during a walk around - 
but in general slightly overdressed should be preferable to overly 
informal.

Most locations I'd question wearing sandels on the interview. Good socks 
with dress shoes (not sneakers). An exception might be Boston during the 
winter, when ankle level hiking boots may work out with a three-piece suit 
and tie.

Point is, you want to make a positive impression _before_ you get a chance 
to open your mouth.

One further point, and one that has actually worked for me, is write thank 
you notes _after_ the interview. Partly it is old fashioned manners, but 
also the opportunity to make yourself more memorable.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of
> Chris Fowler
> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 8:55 AM
> To: ale at ale.org
> Subject: Re: [ale] Since we're on the subject of jobs lately
>
> Jeff Lightner wrote:
>> I disagree with the tie comments.
>>
>
> What is the functional use of a tie?
>> There's an old saying:
>> You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
>>
>> I've been employed in the IT field since 1991 and it was sometime
> before
>> 1996 that everyone went casual - despite that as I noted above I've
>> always worn a suit and tie to interviews.  Once the job starts it's
>> casual all the way.
>>
> Unfortunately, over the last many years I've only worn suits to
> funerals.
>
> I think that for me I would wear some slacks, nice button shirt, and a
> conservative tie.
> No jacket.  For one it is Summer and not jacket is needed :)
>
> Also wear a nice pair of shoes.  If you wear a black belt, wear black
> shoes.  Same rule applies for brown.   Have your outfit pressed at the
> cleaners.   Do not pump gas on the day of the interview unless
> afterwards.   Be conservative with any cologne.
>
> As far as interviews, I've really not even cared to read any resumes.
> If I do it may only be for contact information.  To me what is important
>
> is what the person knows and what the person can do.
>
>
>
>