I have nice clothes, but would it look silly to walk in with heels, skirt, and buttoned up blazer for a job making cheeseburgers. I want to look qualified for a position without looking “out of place,” is business casual a good outfit for flipping steaks?
I used to work in the field of job coaching. My boss would often use the story of overdressing making for awkward situations, especially considering many of our clients struggled with conversing casually as many were mentally disabled. He wore a 3 piece suit to an interview where his interviewer wore a polo and cargo shorts, making the man feel awkward and like my boss was trying too hard. His advice for interview dress was to do a step above what you’d be expected to wear when working. Wearing a company provided uniform? Wear a button down and some slacks. Business casual dress code? Maybe a nice suit and tie. T-shirt and shorts? A polo and some denim that doesn’t look like denim.
As a teen I was applying for a bunch of retail places, and I would go to these things in a full on suit. I had one interviewer literally laugh at me, saying I looked like I was applying to be CEO. So you really sort of have to tailor your dress towards what the employees wear and be tidy/neat/make sure you smell good.
The rule of thumb is to dress as well as the best dressed person there. I don't entirely agree with that rule, but on the other hand it's not likely to hurt anything.
Very few interviewers will fault you for overdressing, unless you go completely over the top. It's better to over dress than to under dress.
Even if it's a very casual company, interviewers know that people will dress for interviews, so they will not be faulted.
I personally don't see anything wrong with dressing like the top picture for a fast food job interview.
Look business casual. A little business but not too casual. You still want to be treated seriously regardless if it’s flipping burgers or dealing with hungry customers who want fast food now. It’s still a business and it’s going to be paying you when hired. Good luck
Dress slightly above what the average employee wears? Yes. So, if the "normal" outfit is slacks or skirt and top, then wear that and a blazer. If jeans and a hoodie, maybe khakis and a button down.
Dress the way you would to do the job - but put extra attention to make sure clothes, hair etc are neat and clean.
Remember though interviewers are human and understand that its not always clear how to dress. I've interviewed people in suits, and people in completely casual clothes - doesn't make any difference to me.
by the way dressing for work is much trickier for women than for men - so many more options. One caution is to wear things that are nice, but not sexy.
A manager at a fast food joint may look at you and think, "You are a girl with some class and you might not stay very long at a job like this."
Exaggerated example: If I wanted a job as a garbageman on a garbage truck, and I show up for an interview wearing a coat and tie, I look like a guy who would never do that kind of work. I won't get the job.
not really... but if yoy like to wesr that during the interview why not? if i'm the interviewer you would give me the impression that you would take your job seriously and would aim for a higher position.
I’ve never been the slacks type. I used to go in a spaghetti strap tank with a blazer, skirt or slimfit dress pants, and high heel booties. My last few jobs were all wfh though so i just wore a shirt with no pants since i was sitting in front of the laptop and they only saw me shoulders up anyways 🤣
Wear whatever you'd like to. Don't mind people telling you otherwise. Every single interview I went to, no matter the job, I wore dress pants, dress shirt, sometimes a sport coat, and nice shoes. Interviewers always appreciated it.
Folks are so scared of being overdressed, it's hilarious. Which is why they all walk around in PJS, sweatpants, and wrinkly graphic tees.
Well, it’s less serial killery than it sounds. I do this in business meetings all the time. In your interview, just dress to impress. Then at the start, take note of how they act. Then keep your head in the game with their questions.
No. Don't walk in looking like a teenagers bedroom floor either. But this is what they mean when they say "research" the firm you are looking to work for.
If you cannot do these simple tasks, then you are going to struggle to fit into any work role.
Speaking to a job interviewer ain’t the same as flipping burgers. I remember dressing like a formal Western man, and at work, I could wear whatever I wanted, as long as I wore shoes and better no necklaces/bracelets.
As a man I’ve found I can never go wrong with jeans and a polo. Ofc I am in a very non superficial profession, so some jobs may require more, but I find it’s just about looking clean and well put together.
No it isn't. Dress for the job you're applying for. What are the current employees wearing? wear something similar. And employer wants someone who will fit in.
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