I have a grandson who, in my opinion, is too lackluster for job interviews. He has a four-year degree in mechanical engineering from a highly regarded school. Just treated him to dinner after a job interview where he wore an old pair of jeans and an older shirt. The clothes were clean. To me, that showed a lack of respect for his possible employer. But nowadays, everything is very casual, and suits are rarely worn. What would you say is proper attire for a job interview for a professional position?
Well, it’s official. I’m old. Because…I think you’re right (and also I just zoomed in so I could see the words I was typing more clearly).
It may not be “right,” but the truth is, what you wear to a job interview matters, just like, say, what you wear to a first date matters. That’s because clothes are communication, and these are situations where people are trying to get a read on how well you will fit into their office or their life.
If you show up sloppy or in obviously worn clothes, you’re telling the interviewer or date that you couldn’t be bothered to find a shirt without holes in it. And if you couldn’t, on first meeting, put in a little extra effort, why would they expect you to put in extra effort on the job or in a relationship after you’ve been there a while?
While this might sound elitist, and probably on some level is, if you want a job, you have to play that game. That doesn’t mean wearing a tie to work every day, but it does mean showing up to the interview looking like you considered, for a few minutes, before you left the house, what might be appropriate for this workplace where you’d ostensibly like to go every day except weekends and earn a paycheck. A clean, hole-free collared shirt is nice. A tie? Maybe. What do people wear to this office? Dress a little nicer than that.
It shows thoughtfulness and engagement with the question and tells the interviewer (or again, date), “Hey, I want to be here! I care about the outcome of this encounter!”
Another thing to remember: Often, the people deciding who gets the job aren’t of the younger, more casual generation. You can make a statement with your outfit during an interview if you want, but ultimately, an older person will be deciding if you get the job or not. Dress with that in mind.
Now, we may agree on proper interview attire, but…how to communicate it to your grandson? I remember my grandma (RIP) taking me to Nordstrom and making oblique comments about my body while forcing me to try on blazers. I wouldn’t recommend it. I returned the ill-fitting blazer and bought myself earrings.
Instead, talk to your child, the parent of the grandson, about your concerns, and let them handle it. You keep taking him out to dinner. And you can take him shopping, but if you do, lead him to the collared shirt section and then shut your mouth.
