alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Dec 28, 2013 9:54:53 GMT -5
I know the standard advice is to dress up, overdresses should never be a problem, but....
DD has an interview in early Jan. with a state agency as a Biologist Aide. She has a degree in Marine Biology. The job is definitely field work - have to be able to drive a boat, work in hot/cold conditons, be available to travel to fish kills, etc.
I think a business suit would be too much. To me it says "I want an office job". We're going shopping today, may look around. Not sure how casual/dressed up she should be.
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raeoflyte
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Post by raeoflyte on Dec 28, 2013 10:15:08 GMT -5
My dh is a vet tech and a suit would look ridiculous for an interview. It's been a while since he interviewed, but he wears khakis, a nice shirt and maybe a tie.
Good luck to your dd!
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Dec 28, 2013 10:48:55 GMT -5
If you don't want to wear a suit for a first interview, at least make it a 'Sunday going to meeting' outfit. This shows respect for the HR and office setting. Basically clean, neat, conservative.
If you have a second interview with more HR people, then dress the same. If the second interview is with your prospective boss, then it can be a little more casual.
To me during the interview process the actual 'field work clothes' is off limits. The exception would be if invited to a job site.
JMHO ........ good luck
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moneymaven
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Post by moneymaven on Dec 28, 2013 11:11:32 GMT -5
I wouldn't do a suit but I would do a nice, conservative dress and a jacket.
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milee
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Post by milee on Dec 28, 2013 11:30:09 GMT -5
We have a large marine research facility in town and I interact with their employees regularly at city events, public works and upscale presentations. From what I can tell, for the female biologists, their "dressy biologist" outfit is nice khaki bottoms (if she's skinny and can carry off pants that's fine, but if she's heavier or the pants bunch funny, go with a skirt to have a smooth, professional line) and an impeccably pressed button down shirt. For an interview, a pressed dressy long sleeve shirt (not a plain white one, which will look too much like an office temp) would probably strike the right tone.
I think you're right that a suit would send a message that she may not understand the job. But you don't want to go sloppy or too casual because that's not respectful.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Dec 28, 2013 12:20:04 GMT -5
I LOVE Jones of New York! Always classy, & although they're not cheap, they aren't an arm & a leg either.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 28, 2013 12:46:51 GMT -5
I know the standard advice is to dress up, overdresses should never be a problem, but.... DD has an interview in early Jan. with a state agency as a Biologist Aide. She has a degree in Marine Biology. The job is definitely field work - have to be able to drive a boat, work in hot/cold conditons, be available to travel to fish kills, etc. I think a business suit would be too much. To me it says "I want an office job". We're going shopping today, may look around. Not sure how casual/dressed up she should be. It is not. I'm a scientist, and work in a lab where most days I'm dressed in either jeans or khakis and sneaks as it is not uncommon for me to climb on lab benches, crawl under them, or deal with disgusting samples and bugs. I go to work dressed appropriately for these occasions, but I have never NOT worn a suit on an interview. What you wear on the job isn't the same thing. As she advances in her career, she will be expected to present data in public.....in a suit. No one will think that wearing a suit means she expects to be working a desk job, it merely means that she knows how to dress properly for the occasion.
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milee
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Post by milee on Dec 28, 2013 13:03:15 GMT -5
I'll defer to Mich and Rukh. I've never been in an interview for one of the scientists, just interacted with them in presentations.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 28, 2013 13:12:00 GMT -5
I'll defer to Mich and Rukh. I've never been in an interview for one of the scientists, just interacted with them in presentations. What I wear for presentations may or may not be less formal. At our annual meeting, the day I present I'm in a suit. Days I'm not presenting, I wear dress slacks and nicer shirts, skirts/dresses or whatever is business appropriate, but more casual. On the days where I am flying out, I'll be dressed as I would dress to travel as I've probably checked out of my hotel and am just spending last minutes at the meeting. if we have someone coming in, if I'm presenting something and we are trying to get money, it's back in the suit. If they are just passing through the lab, dressier clothes, not jeans (and we try to keep the stench down those days....so no big vats of microbes are grown).
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Dec 28, 2013 13:35:06 GMT -5
I agree that the interview clothes do not represent the actual job. I don't wear a suit to work every day, but I certainly wear that level to interviews. I also don't expect business wear for people I'm hiring, but I expect it for interviews.
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greenstone
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Post by greenstone on Dec 28, 2013 14:08:42 GMT -5
I've spent the last 2 decades working in marine science research, working with federal and state agencies and academia. The culture in natural science research, including dress, even interview dress, is wildly different from the corporate and business world. I've been on these boards since the old MSN days, and on most threads I feel like my general work experience is from another universe. So regards to what your DD should wear: I would agree with milee that dress pants and simple business shirt or a plain sweater is appropriate. And as sesfw said: Basically clean, neat, conservative. Although honestly, I haven't yet heard a negative comment about anyone showing up underdressed for an interview and I've seen some doozies (many who got the job). Unless the job is a contract position, the interviewer will most likely be with her potential direct report and/or their supervisor. A business suit and even a skirt can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it says "I am serious about this job" while on the other hand, it says "I don't have a keen understanding of the type of work I am applying for". Overdressing at a interview, especially for a field work job, can be a real problem. Everyone loves to do field work but not everyone is good at field work. It is difficult to work fast, skillfully and efficiently under adverse environmental conditions. A business suit and pumps doesn't convey the impression that your DD is cut out for getting down and dirty for 10-12 hrs a day, sweating buckets under a blazing sun, and coming home smelling like a thousand dead fish. The applicant pool for these jobs are HUGE, so even an unconscious impression matters.
Kudos to your daughter on the interview. Marine biology is a popular field but the jobs are scarce. She must have really stood out to get on the interview list. Fingers crossed that she gets the job.
Mich & Ruhk - I am going to respectfully disagree. Even at the most prestigious presentations suits are a rarity. She is not in a position currently where applying for funding is revelant and even then I've never been without funding but don't own a suit and would be surprised if my supervisors did either. Unless she is presenting her findings to Congress (which a biologist aide would never do), no need for a suit.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Dec 28, 2013 17:25:56 GMT -5
Greenstone - thanks I think your perspective is good. She is thinkng nice khakis and sweater. It is for "Biologist Aide" position, not "Biologist", just a way for her to get he foot in the door.<br><br>She was listed a graded #5 for the job, so still may be a long shot. But with the way this state does there hiring, it takes SOOO long that maybe some have dropped out. Also she had a summer internship doing TONS of field work in adverse conditions (Texas in summer).
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Opti
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Post by Opti on Dec 28, 2013 20:01:15 GMT -5
"I've been on these boards since the old MSN days, and on most threads I feel like my general work experience is from another universe. So regards to what your DD should wear: I would agree with milee that dress pants and simple business shirt or a plain sweater is appropriate. And as sesfw said: Basically clean, neat, conservative. Although honestly, I haven't yet heard a negative comment about anyone showing up underdressed for an interview and I've seen some doozies (many who got the job). Unless the job is a contract position, the interviewer will most likely be with her potential direct report and/or their supervisor. A business suit and even a skirt can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it says "I am serious about this job" while on the other hand, it says "I don't have a keen understanding of the type of work I am applying for". Overdressing at a interview, especially for a field work job, can be a real problem. "
I've had similar experience overall for my IT jobs although it depends a lot on the corporation or business you interview with. I usually go with nice pants and a nice sweater or shirt. Unlike Mich, I've never worked a job I would wear a suit again, so to me its a waste of money to spend $100 or more for an outfit I don't need and am only likely to wear just because I don't want to waste the money spent entirely.
My best suggestion would be to go to the location she is going to interview at and check out what people are wearing. If they are much dressier than the nice clothes perhaps a suit makes sense. If its mostly Khakis and jeans definitely don't go more dressy than nice clothes, i.e. skip the suit. Good luck to her.
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Dec 28, 2013 20:16:54 GMT -5
I've spent the last 2 decades working in marine science research, working with federal and state agencies and academia. The culture in natural science research, including dress, even interview dress, is wildly different from the corporate and business world. I've been on these boards since the old MSN days, and on most threads I feel like my general work experience is from another universe. So regards to what your DD should wear: I would agree with milee that dress pants and simple business shirt or a plain sweater is appropriate. And as sesfw said: Basically clean, neat, conservative. Although honestly, I haven't yet heard a negative comment about anyone showing up underdressed for an interview and I've seen some doozies (many who got the job). Unless the job is a contract position, the interviewer will most likely be with her potential direct report and/or their supervisor. A business suit and even a skirt can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it says "I am serious about this job" while on the other hand, it says "I don't have a keen understanding of the type of work I am applying for". Overdressing at a interview, especially for a field work job, can be a real problem. Everyone loves to do field work but not everyone is good at field work. It is difficult to work fast, skillfully and efficiently under adverse environmental conditions. A business suit and pumps doesn't convey the impression that your DD is cut out for getting down and dirty for 10-12 hrs a day, sweating buckets under a blazing sun, and coming home smelling like a thousand dead fish. The applicant pool for these jobs are HUGE, so even an unconscious impression matters. Kudos to your daughter on the interview. Marine biology is a popular field but the jobs are scarce. She must have really stood out to get on the interview list. Fingers crossed that she gets the job. Mich & Ruhk - I am going to respectfully disagree. Even at the most prestigious presentations suits are a rarity. She is not in a position currently where applying for funding is revelant and even then I've never been without funding but don't own a suit and would be surprised if my supervisors did either. Unless she is presenting her findings to Congress (which a biologist aide would never do), no need for a suit. That is pretty much what I thought too. We don't have much to do with actual marine biology but do hire engineers and people with a BS in geology. Our engineers sometimes have to inspect bridges from a boat and geologists never get much time indoors. We would be pretty skeptical of one coming in for an interview in a business suit, especially a skirt or dress. I doubt anyone would take their desire to do actual field work seriously. Khakis and a nice polo shirt would be the norm for office dress for people with that type of job at the dressiest. Anything more and I would expect them to say how they are going to a funeral afterwards.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 29, 2013 13:44:27 GMT -5
I would do dress pants and a more casual jacket - maybe a knit or cotton. Pants make women look down to earth. You have to dress nicer than what you will be wearing for the job. Khakis and a sweater don't sound right to me - not that I know anything about the field, but I think it is more likely that you won't get the job because you are underdressed than you won't get the job because you are overdressed.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 29, 2013 13:45:34 GMT -5
This - but with black pants:
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 30, 2013 11:45:23 GMT -5
I have a friend whose husband was awarded a presidential medal of honor for his work with salmon. I feel like I should email her and find out what he would expect a biologist's aide to wear to an interview.
At the same time, my general approach to any interview is to find out the company culture and dress one step up. I am not going to go to an interview at a tech company where everyone is in jeans and t-shirts in a full on business suit. That would show that I haven't done my research and don't understand the company or it's culture, and certainly isn't going to help me get the job. If company culture is casual, I wear business casual to the interview. It shows respect for those taking their time to interview with me, but doesn't place me off the reservation in regards to everyone around me. If company culture is business casual, I wear a business suit to the interview. Again, that one step up shows respect and seriousness. If company culture is business, I wear formal wear... okay, just kidding about that part, but I step up the suit and pay closer attention to other parts of my presentation. I wear a skirt instead of slacks. The shell I wear under the jacket is tucked in. I break out the pearls. Earrings are simple and discreet. I make sure I have a fresh manicure.
In the case of the OP, I would go with khakis or slacks and a light sweater or button down top. I would also say, wear sensible shoes. No heels or pumps.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Dec 30, 2013 13:33:20 GMT -5
Nice pants, top and a jacket- I'd think a cotton blazer would be fine. These are pieces she can get use out of in life even if she doesn't need to wear them on the job.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Dec 30, 2013 14:01:39 GMT -5
I've had similar experience overall for my IT jobs although it depends a lot on the corporation or business you interview with. I usually go with nice pants and a nice sweater or shirt. Unlike Mich, I've never worked a job I would wear a suit again, so to me its a waste of money to spend $100 or more for an outfit I don't need and am only likely to wear just because I don't want to waste the money spent entirely.
It isn't a waste of money if you buy properly. One of my best purchases was a grey and cream houndstooth suit in a very tiny check. I wore the skirt alone with a sweater or a shirt. I wore the jacket out as I put it over everything from jeans to dress slacks. When I took the suit to a meeting, I had 5 other outfits with a silk blouse, cream sweater, grey slacks and grey knit skirt and one pair of shoes and only one outfit was 'formal'.
The suit was a Brooks and it was neutral enough that changing whether I wore hose or tights, a sweater or silk shirt, flats or heels you could do just about anything with it. In fact, I don't think I wore the jacket with the skirt more than a few times. It wasn't cheap, but it did serve all my dressy and almost dressy needs.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Dec 30, 2013 14:31:33 GMT -5
Not always true. We are a company that serves the cattle industry. Most people wear jeans every day, and those of us who don't still dress down quite a bit, but I've heard many managers complain that people come rolling into interviews under-dressed. They never get hired. Them wearing khakis and a tie just looks lazy and unprofessional. There is plenty of time to dress down when you get the job.
As I have said before - there is no one perfect rule, because hiring managers are people, and all people have their own ideas on what is right and what is wrong. You could do the exact same thing twice and once you would be perfect, and the other time you would have someone say "What was he thinking?!"
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Dec 30, 2013 14:41:38 GMT -5
thyme4change - not true for your company that serves the cattle industry. For a company like that, where I could assume that the owners/customers were more conservative and traditional, I might very well dress more conservatively. (For the record, I own no khakis, and for me, business casual mostly means I'm not wearing a suit jacket.) However, where I am, I am very unlikely to interview with a company like yours. I am much more likely to interview with a start up tech firm, where I'm older than the founders. Wearing a suit to that interview would harm my chances.
As I said, I do my best to research the company and determine the company culture in order to decide what to wear to the interview. My choices will be different for a financial services company (even a laid back one) than it will be for a game company. And in the end, if I'm really uncertain, I have been known to ask my HR contact what appropriate dress would be. They have never balked at telling me.
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