Job interview question

[Exterous]

So I have a meeting with my potential new boss to discuss my application for an open position. We had to sandwich it in between some meetings so not only is it towards the middle of the day but I won't have time to change into a suit before hand. The work attire is very casual (my khakis and polo shirt is more dressed up than 75% of my coworkers) so sitting around and going to meetings in my suit would be more than a tad unusual. Even a dress shirt would draw attention. I did let my boss know (since the two teams are intertwined and the current boss and potential new boss have side by side offices)

So I am unsure what to do in terms of dress code. Should I just let the interviewer know that the timing does not allow for my normal suit wearing to interviews?

Thanks guys!

 

[purbeast0]

yeah i had to do that once they had no problem with it. they interviewed me over my lunch break and i told them for that exact reason, that i would not be able to come in a suit and if that was okay. they had no problem with that and completely understood.

 

[GarlicBreath]

Can't you just split the difference? Wear slacks and a dress shirt, then slip on a sport coat right before the meeting?

If anybody asks, just answer "I've got a meeting with an Mr. X, or an "important visitor" today.

 

[deadlyapp]

If you have a reasonable relationship with the potential new boss and the overall work environment is fairly casual, you might be able to get away with it. With that said, I've interviewed for several positions in my same company and have been in the same situation, and I usually tough it out and wear something nicer and deal with the questions as they come. You can easily dress down (no coat, no tie) during the majority of the day and then if you feel like you need to dress up, toss them on.

 

[Exterous]

yeah i had to do that once they had no problem with it. they interviewed me over my lunch break and i told them for that exact reason, that i would not be able to come in a suit and if that was okay. they had no problem with that and completely understood.

I was thinking of letting them know I wouldn't be in a suit for reasons but it just feels....wrong to not be in one for an interview

Can't you just split the difference? Wear slacks and a dress shirt, then slip on a sport coat right before the meeting?

If anybody asks, just answer "I've got a meeting with an Mr. X, or an "important visitor" today.

Heh - even a dress shirt would draw attention. All the work I do is for various projects at various Universities and no one from any organization involved dresses up for those beyond a polo shirt. Like ever. Not even when Dean's are involved. I also have to pass a lot of cubes before going into the office so if I go in with a suit or even a dress shirt and tie its going to be pretty obvious whats going on.

I don't even know if that would be a bad thing or not. I am just so used to keeping former employers in the dark that changing tightly knit groups where that is near impossible is new to me

 

[Ham n' Eggs]

Perhaps consider letting the meeting attendees know that you need to slip out 10 minutes early and ask (with apologies) if the meeting could cover any issues that you need to participate in at the beginning of the meeting. How important is that last meeting before the interview?

 

[rcpratt]

Yeah, I find this an amusing part of internal interviewing. When you wear a suit in a business casual environment, might as well wear a red flashing sign saying "I'm interviewing today!!"

 

[purbeast0]

I was thinking of letting them know I wouldn't be in a suit for reasons but it just feels....wrong to not be in one for an interview

when i interviewed, they knew i was coming at lunch and they knew i didn't want my current company to know i was looking, so they were 100% fine with it. my current dress "code" is basically where whatever you want, and i wear polo shirt, jeans, and sneakers in the summer.

and the way i look at it, if they weren't cool with that, then it's probably not a company i would want to work for anyways.

i'm at the point in my career that if people at a company can't be accommodating for situations that arise (and i'd say this is one that is out of the ordinary) then i don't want to work for that company anyways.

they aren't doing me a favor for interviewing me, i'm doing them a favor for letting them interview me. that's the mindset i always have now a days with jobs.

 

[clamum]

Have you thought about taking a roll of the dice and wearing no clothes? Solves your dilemma.

 

[destrekor]

I actually have that exact situation tomorrow. At first I figured I might go to the interview and then go back to work (two different employers, not a different internal unit), but the other business is a half hour away in good traffic. That's an hour right there, and factor in the interview time, getting back to work I might only have 60 or 90 minutes before the end of the day.

I had at first discussed that very same thing on the phone with who would be my boss at this place if I get it (the second interview is with the executive directors), and he said if it was during lunch as long as I explained that our attire is casual (jeans and polo), it wouldn't be a big deal.

However, since I figure the timing works, and it isn't that much out of my way to stop at home on the way, I'll leave a tad bit earlier and change into a suit. Had it been earlier in the day, like an early lunch, then I would have went in my work attire.

Due to some other circumstances, I suspect they'd have zero qualms as long as I was respectful, but as I have the opportunity, I'll take advantage to still look my best.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Do what someone else suggested and wear the slacks and dress pants and put the coat on later. If it is such a bad environment that an interview somewhere else might get you fired then it's not a place I'd want to be.

 

[Ns1]

i once had an interview like that - i changed into a suit in the middle of the day then changed out of it.

 

[disappoint]

Coworker: Hey why are you wearing a suit?
You: I have to go to a funeral after this.
Coworker: Omg who died?
You: Your brain. *walk away*
Coworker: *puzzled look* wtf?

 

[MustISO]

I haven't worn a suite to an interview since probably my first job. Being in IT I would never expect someone to come to an interview in a suite since none of us wear suites.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I haven't worn a suite to an interview since probably my first job. Being in IT I would never expect someone to come to an interview in a suite since none of us wear suites.

I agree, wearing a suite would be awkward, a suit on the other hand...
IT tends to be full of special flakes who wear tee suits and hoodies at work like a badge of honor. I keep waiting for "the emperor has no clothes " moment.

 

[TheGardener]

You have a car? Keep the suit, shirt, tie and shoes in the car, and change when you get to the prospective employer's site. Or maybe be sick that day.

btw, have you figured out an answer yet to describing your management style?

 

[Exterous]

Looks like I left out an important piece of information: Its at the same company and my current and potential new manager have office right next to eachother. So even if I changed and walked in I would pass both team's cubicles on my way in

 

[TheGardener]

Looks like I left out an important piece of information: Its at the same company and my current and potential new manager have office right next to eachother. So even if I changed and walked in I would pass both team's cubicles on my way in

If it is the same company, then why hide it? So people make comments. You don't have to answer them. And I'll lay odds that your manager is going to know before the interview. You can't hide it. If your expectation is that you need to, then you need to take the prospective manager aside and discuss this before the interview. Again, I don't think you can. And maybe it is not such a bad thing that people, your employees and peers, know you have personal goals that you are trying to achieve.

Just of curiosity, how does the prospective manager dress? If more formal, then you should dress that way too.

 

[SearchMaster]

If it is the same company, then why hide it? So people make comments. You don't have to answer them. And I'll lay odds that your manager is going to know before the interview. You can't hide it. If your expectation is that you need to, then you need to take the prospective manager aside and discuss this before the interview. Again, I don't think you can. And maybe it is not such a bad thing that people, your employees and peers, know you have personal goals that you are trying to achieve.

Just of curiosity, how does the prospective manager dress? If more formal, then you should dress that way too.

Yeah I agree with this. If anyone asks, just say "I'm interviewing for the XXX position that opened up" - or say nothing, none of their damn business really. And yes, you have to assume that the new manager will discuss you with your current manager so there's no point in trying to hide it. If you have a good relationship with your current manager, you could/should discuss it with them anyway.

I had several people on my team that got internal promotions with other teams, and they always came to discuss it with me first. I would tell them whether I thought it was a good fit or not but they were always good employees and I always recommended them. There was one employee that I didn't feel would be a good fit on the new team though he was a good employee, but he was bored with what we were doing on my team and transferred anyway. He ended up quitting that new position a few months later.

 

[purbeast0]

i've "interviewed" for internal positions, and they didn't even expect me to dress up in a suit or anything. it was literally during the work day and it wasn't hidden that i was interviewing or anything, because they were moving me off of my current project and i was looking to see which other ones i liked the most.

this whole situation just seems odd lol.

 

[Exterous]

And I'll lay odds that your manager is going to know before the interview.

I did let my boss know

Er...yeah?

 

[Exterous]

Might as well update. Went in with my normal work attire and the meeting\soft interview went well. They verbally offered the job so I am just waiting on the official offer letter

 

[rcpratt]

Grats man.

 

[Exterous]

Grats man.

Thanks

 

[highland145]

Might as well update. Went in with my normal work attire and the meeting\soft interview went well. They verbally offered the job so I am just waiting on the official offer letter

Hey, my friend, let a guy hold a dollar?