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John Posada wondered: <<Hi, guys...I have a job interview for a
consultant/right-to-hire technical writer position at very large
company in NYC in the financial sector this afternoon. My question: I
have several suits and two watches. The suits range from off-the-rack,
that cost me about $200, to full custom that cost me about $900.00. All
are the appropriate color/pattern for an interview.>>
I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask about this. I doubt I've spent
$900 on my entire wardrobe in the past 10 years... and am secure enough
in my career that I'll never work for a place that requires me to own a
$900 suit. <g> Nonetheless, I've read up on this kind of thing to
prepare for my own interviews in the past:
<<I also have two watches...one a standard Seiko and the other a
Rolex.>>
And as a result, I bet you never know what time it really is for more
than a day after setting your watches. <g>
<<My question...how do you dress? Do you dress in a respectful but
modest fashion or do you go all out...custom suit, french cuffs, rolex,
etc?>>
Sarcasm aside, the goal of dressing for an interview is twofold: To
convey the impression that you are taking the interview seriously
enough to treat it as the formal occasion that is is, and to make
yourself sufficiently comfortable that you can relax and give a good
show.
To me, the problem with the $900 suit and Rolex is clear: In the
worst-case scenario, it tells the interviewer that you're overpaid (or
at least paid more than the interviewer) and that you expect to be
overpaid again. In the best-case scenario, it may gain you some minor
additional points over the standard suit and watch. Allowing for that
downside potential, go with the standard suit and watch: provided that
both are in good shape (not too out of date, fit well, makes you
comfortable), that's the conservative approach.
--Geoff Hart ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca
(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)
www.geoff-hart.com
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