Comments on: Job interview advice: the plain look is in

By: Katherine C.

Katherine C. — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:01:02 +0000

Great article. I am torn on the topic. It does kind of disgust me how there seems to be only one standard for interviewing, we all must encompass pretty much the same attitude —> eager-beaver, enthusiastic, confident, bla bla bla. At the same time, after you get to know the person hired, they will probably be nothing like the person sitting in the interview. They may have a personality that rubs the rest of the company the wrong way. If sarcasm is your main MO, and you hide it in the interview, but cannot manage to curb it in the workplace, you are in a way, doing yourself a dis-service … because you may be laid off for it later, or at least … it may contribute to your ousting. So not being “honest” and not acting yourself may pay a quick dividend, but only if that “impostor” persona is maintained. Some people really don’t like my, “enough with the floral words, stop beating around the bush and lets get it done” attitude, but I don’t care. Other employers need people like me, with less BS and more nitty-gritty. I say, you should at least let SOME of your personality out. Everyone appreciates honesty. Just maybe not in the wardrobe department …. *laughing* Remember fellow females, no open-toed shoes! One of my mistakes.

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:46:17 +0000

Again, this is the BS corporate american work addicted mentality honned by those deranged baby boomers. clothing has NOTHING to do with substance, honor, or merit in a “job.” They will lay off/fire people regardless of wearing a suit or a tee shirt without any concern over loyalty or “hard work.” That is america work place–a total dump.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:28:23 +0000

I was told midway through an interview that my top was distracting the interveiwer. I was wearing a sleeveless silk blouse and in hindsight that was a very poor decision on my part. I was new to the job world and had no contacts to discuss my wardrobe with. I still got the job but was mortified for days after the interview!

By: Vladan

Vladan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:45:31 +0000

Be someone your not to get paid little/sell your soul, and be someone’s boy. Then they can lay you off for no reason, or fire you for no reason. but at least you are performing good at those interviews. Be a teacher; they work half day, half year, pensions, benies, med.dent, everything, and you do not have to work very hard–same thing month after month, year after year. many make b/w 50-80K. not bad for a teacher.

By: LivingDeadNurse

LivingDeadNurse — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:57:40 +0000

I understand that the plain look is in. But sometimes I think they go a little overboard. For instance I was hired and had a visible tatoo. Nothing was said. Now the policy has changed and I have to cover it. Problem is…i am allergic to the few things that i have tried. No to mention the place is overly heated and long sleeves are out of the question unless they want me to pass out. So what is the big deal. If its not offensive and only one…give me a break.

By: George Chernikov

George Chernikov — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:48:40 +0000

Speaking from experience, I firmly believe that “be yourself” is about the worst bit of advice anyone can give a job seeker.

The reason is simple – I don’t think anyone here needs me to tell them that, at a job interview, your whole purpose is to put your best foot forward and do the absolutely best job of presenting yourself. Even if you’re normally not that good, this is how you have to perform at an interview. And that, in my opinion, runs contrary to the notion of being yourself.

Interviews are a bit like public performances – no one cares what the performer is like off the stage; the audience comes there to be entertained by a delightful performance. Should the performer be himself and let all the negatives and quirks shine through, the audience will not enjoy the show as much. Similarly, a candidate shouldn’t be himself either – because it’s all about delivering a winning performance.

By: Jackov

Jackov — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:15:39 +0000

I try to morph into the same personality as the interviewer.