 |
Dear Steve & Jon, My wardrobe is slick and usually more mod than the people I meet in interviews. Can that work against me? Signed: Slick Dude |
 |
Dear Slick, Why do you have a self-described “slick wardrobe” and are interviewing with companies where this is not their culture? Even if you go out and buy more conservative clothing in order to land the job, would you be happy working there? Every company has its own culture, and a significant part of the interviewing process for both you and the company is to determine if you will be a good fit for their culture. The answer to your question is “yes,” of course, and so you have a choice: either adapt to their culture which means a different wardrobe, or continue looking for a company where you will feel more at ease. Needless to say, I recommend the latter choice. |
Dear Slick, We tend to dress like other members of our ‘tribe’ dress. If we are talking about ‘street fashion’ (bling, tats and piercings) that may gain you ‘street cred’, will not win you the keys to the executive washroom. To increase your chances for selection, dress the part of a highly successful member of the tribe you are seeking to join. Virtually all high performance organizations tend to aggressively manage their image as part of their branding, and yes, research has shown there is a strong correlation between appearance and performance. For professional level positions, a conservative business suit, even a power suit, is still the most appropriate interview uniform. So, tone down the Slick and be the best dressed professional applying for that Technical, manager or executive level position. |