Hubby and I are having a little debate...as always, we need help settling it. He has a job interview tomorrow. He's been a security guard for ten years, and the last time he had to look for a job, everyone else applying was wearing jeans and t-shirts, and so did he, and got hired. Well, that was 5 years ago. He's gone to apply for a couple of jobs in the last month and at one place, everyone was wearing khaki pants, long sleeves and ties. At the other place, they didn't let him in to fill out an application because he was wearing jeans (keep in mind that was a place that only paid $8 an hour and they still wanted them all dressed up).

The interview he's going to tomorrow is at a large corporation, again for a security guard job. Over his protests, I bought him a pair of khakis and a braided belt, so the bottom half is covered. What we can't agree on is, should he wear a polo-type shirt or a regular dress shirt? He's got some really nice dress shirts and I think it's better to be overdressed, but he's insisting he needs to wear his lucky shirt.

I think he's insulted by the idea of needing to dress up...he thinks his licenses and experience should be good enough. This is the man who wore jeans to our wedding. I only talked him into the khakis by pointing out that he wears slacks to work, so why not to an interview.

Dress shirt with a tie and a jacket. It doesn't matter how he feels (about this outfit) it's the corporate environment...you dress to fit in. Once you're in..then you adapt to the everyday wear.

Not only that...there are probably 10 other people being interviewed...he needs to bring his "A" game.

When I used to hire people and they came in, in shirts and jeans, I thanked them, watched them leave, then turned around and put their application in the trash. You are absolutely right. I always felt that if they really cared about wanting a job, they would look like it. People have even more to prove in todays job market.

Dress for the job you want to have. Does he want to do security or be the head of security?

I also throw out apps from people coming in dressed in jeans. (also teens or young adults that come in with friends.)

I've only shown up to an interview in jeans twice: once in high school for a fast food job (I wore a nice sweater though), and the second time because I got drenched from a rain shower before the interview and didn't have another pair of khakis or a blouse (this was for a student job in college).

I have dressed up for every other job interview, even one I was guaranteed to get (my current job).

The phrase, "Time to wear some big boy clothes" keeps popping into my head because I just read a book where the main guy was proud that he had gone out and bought "big boy clothes."

I say it is go with your best foot forward. Apparences still count. If you come in looking professional and act professional, that is steps above coming in casual and them having to question your professionalism.

I think he's going to wear the khakis and a black golf shirt. He reminded me that he doesn't have the one thing you need most to wear a tie...a neck. He's had jobs before where they were supposed to wear a tie with the uniform, and when his supervisors saw how weird a tie looked on him, they said he didn't have to wear it. It happened two different places.

His khakis are the good kind, no weird pockets or anything like that (because I didn't take him with me when I bought them). And it's cold enough to wear his black leather jacket. So that will have to be good enough and I guess I'll quit worrying.

Well ya got him dressed. Good Luck I hope it works out.

Mike

Okay. I actually teach this to high school students, and have done some research (wow, I AM a nerd!). Dress pants, long sleeved dress shirt, tie, and dress shoes are required. If he is serious about getting the job, he should also drop off a thank you note after the interview. It just has to say "Thank you for your time". Trust me, it works.