From: oleary@staff.tc.umn.edu ()
Subject: Re: Interview situation: what happened?
Summary: I object not to the person, but to the mentality.
Keywords: 80 columns, it's just a good idea; it's not the law.  <sigh>
Organization: University of Minnesota
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 11:34:55 GMT

In article <C0KD5s.83p@austin.ibm.com> me@vikings.austin.ibm.com (Michael E)
writes, among other things:

>>>In retrospect, I'm rather glad I didn't get this job.  Any company
>>>who's culture can't tolerate differences such as appearence really
>>>wouldn't know what to do with me.  I don't have the patience to
>
>I used to maintain that mentality.... :)
>
>BUT... consider the people and situation regarding interviews. 

Any place I've ever worked, interviews have been used to determined who is
most qualified to do the job, not who's read the latest issue of GQ.

>I went to firms that required the most polished look (no, not tuxes! Let's
>stay serious..).  One even hired me. On day one I found that clean shirt
>and clean jeans were all I had to wear (okay add shoes), except for when
>our customers showed up for big events.

If the job can be done in jeans, why did they require "the most polished
look" for the interview?  You give some very bad reasons below and none say
"I demonstrated the ability to do the job better than any other candidate."

>All they were interested in seeing is that:
>o	I demonstrated the utmost professional courtesy in a business setting.

The utmost in professional courtesy is foregoing personal glory in favor of
furthering the company as a whole.

>o	I demonstrated pride in appearance, which translates to having ability for demonstration.

Any jackass with $200 to rub together has this pride in appearance.  Just
because you can tie a mean full windsor doesn't mean you'll make a good
employee.

>o	I demonstrated thoughtfulness for others, which translates to thoughtfulness of peers
>	and CUSTOMERS.

How does wearing a suit demonstrate you're thoughtful of others?

>o	I demonstrated I knew a part of the business cultural rules, which translates to 
>	having the ability to learn/know internal business cultural rules and the cultural 
>	rules of customers.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that many businesses consider a suit
"professional" attire.  It also doesn't take a genius to figure out that 
"professional" attire doesn't make a person a professional.

>o	I demonstrated smart use of common knowledge. I know suits make the best impression and 
>	I used that piece of information to keep my name in the running. Why be stupid and
>	handicap yourself? If you do it then, will you take the same approach on your job?

Actually, a large sum of money would probably make a better impression than
a suit, yet I doubt you bribe your interviewer.  The best impression, for
any company that is worth the work I'll be doing for it, is made by the
person most qualified to do the job.

>o	I demonstated compliance. I showed that I can follow rules and will probably not
>	be someone unnecessarily bucking the system. 

Is compliance something you want to demonstrate for anything but the most
menial of labor?  Demonstrating creative innovation is, by far, more
attractive than demonstrating the ability to just tag along for the ride.
You are the passenger to others' pilot; without the pilot, you go nowhere.

>Finally, as matter of human courtesy...
>When someone dresses up for you, are you not flattered?

No.  People don't have to dress up for me, they just have to be themselves.
People who dress up around me do so for their own reasons, not for me.

>Is this anger really worth it? I admitted it isn't and certainly not worth bitching about (personally).
>If I get hired by a company that wants ties everyday but pays well and keeps the BS tolerable then
>at least I know I'll look good for the babes! (Ooh ooh! politically incorrect! Bad boy...)
>
>BTW, word from a few of my women friends is that suit pants- when worn correctly (see book)- really
>shows off men's butts well. They tend to like that a lot- sort of our guys' version of women wearing
> tight T-shirts.

Well, it doesn't look like you'll have to worry about getting your feet wet.


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|          "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time."          |
|                                            --- Leo Tolstoy                |
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