Interview Etiquette

[pooks]

You don't have to say yes to the job/money in front of him, either!

The idea of wearing a suit of any sort w/o hose blows my mind. I know that seems to be a trend, but to me it just looks odd, and since I have sweaty feet, gross.

Each business has its own "uniform," and you have to look around and dress appropriately for that business, or as the guy who wrote DRESS FOR SUCCESS says, dress for the job you want, not the job you have. My husband took that advice a couple of decades ago and it has always served him well.

And as for Southern Cal -- that's another place where industry/position makes a difference. I've been in and out of several agencies in Beverly Hills and the agents (female, of course) I've seen have always worn hose with their 2,000 buck designer suits.

I'm one of the few women on earth who loves pantihose. I love the way my legs feel -- slick and sexy -- when I wear them. I'd hate to have to wear them every day again, though.

[Triskeliongirl]

The idea of wearing a suit of any sort w/o hose blows my mind. I know that seems to be a trend, but to me it just looks odd, and since I have sweaty feet, gross.

I am really curious about this. If you don't wear hose then what do you wear? Are you saying you wear a skirt suit with bare legs? To me that would look just so wrong. Do people actually do that in CA? Now, in summer I would would wear a skirt with sandles and no hose, but that would not be considered 'professional' just a comfortable thing I would do personally cuz I dress casually for work.

[lph]

This thread is terrifying. I am never going to apply for a job again in my life

I got my existing job on a perfectly written application and the ability to nod and smile and interject the occasional funny comment while my three interviewers chatted blithely among themselves.

[Dogmama]

This thread is terrifying. I am never going to apply for a job again in my life

I got my existing job on a perfectly written application and the ability to nod and smile and interject the occasional funny comment while my three interviewers chatted blithely among themselves.

I had an all day interview with key faculty members, lunch with the dept head and interviewed by three different committees. Talk about stress!

Salary negotiations:

1. Know what others in your field make. Add or subtract your experience and/or educational background. Come with data - be able to name sources.

2. If you cannot get your salary now - ask that you be reviewed in six months. Make it clear what you want (salary wise) if the boss is naming a figure below your figure.

3. This is touchy - your friend has a perspective that may - or may not - be correct. Perhaps s/he was offered a lower salary, or knows others who were, but perhaps those individuals are not as qualified as you. In other words, don't take one person's comment as truth.

[LBTC]

This thread is terrifying. I am never going to apply for a job again in my life

Yes, this is what I was trying to say earlier! Terrifying!
~T~

[Trek420]

This thread is terrifying. I am never going to apply for a job again in my life

I got my existing job on a perfectly written application and the ability to nod and smile and interject the occasional funny comment while my three interviewers chatted blithely among themselves.

I got my present job by passing a series of tests. After being whittled down to a smaller group by other tests I recall for the final service rep test 90 people were in the room with me, 3 of us passed and the other two probably knocked out by the drug screening or the background check.

Many are called, few are chosen

I'm union so I never have to negotiate my own salery, which is good for folks like me who truly sock at that. In the almost 12 years I've been here we've been on strike once (4 days). So there is that risk. That was an interesting experience.

Wages are well....good, probably twice what I'd make in non-union customer service.

Benefits are great and time off? Much more than anywhere else, so far about 4 weeks + holidays + unpaid time off if I can afford to take unpaid time.

On the other hand the work's much more demanding than those jobs in many ways. The co. pays us more, they can ask a lot of us and they do.

I hope I never have to interview for a job again because I truly sock at negotiations .... but it's nice to know some of what to do if i had to.

[emily_in_nc]

I am really curious about this. If you don't wear hose then what do you wear? Are you saying you wear a skirt suit with bare legs? To me that would look just so wrong. Do people actually do that in CA? Now, in summer I would would wear a skirt with sandles and no hose, but that would not be considered 'professional' just a comfortable thing I would do personally cuz I dress casually for work.

Re-read her post: she said "w/o" hose...she feels the same as you!

Emily, who is happy that she dresses casually for work too...I haven't even worn a skirt in years!

[pooks]

I am really curious about this. If you don't wear hose then what do you wear? Are you saying you wear a skirt suit with bare legs? To me that would look just so wrong. Do people actually do that in CA? Now, in summer I would would wear a skirt with sandles and no hose, but that would not be considered 'professional' just a comfortable thing I would do personally cuz I dress casually for work.

I either misspoke or you missunderstood. I said that I can't imagine NOT wearing hose with a business suit. I rarely go without hose when I wear a dress, for that matter. I just prefer them.

ETA: I should have read the rest of the thread -- that got straightened out!

mimitabby, I have the same issue with earrings and even necklaces and bracelets. I can't wear a watch, either.

[Duck on Wheels]

earings, bracelets, watch ...? Sounds like nickel allergy. I had to invest in a titanium watch (no nickel). Expensive, but put an end to the rash on my arm. I can still wear earings, but not all day. Just for a few hours on special occasions, and must be gold or surgical steel.

[mimitabby]

I'm one of the few women on earth who loves pantihose. I love the way my legs feel -- slick and sexy -- when I wear them. I'd hate to have to wear them every day again, though.

Pooks, I have nothing against Panty hose, but they are not as comfy as soft wool socks, and bottom line, the stuff you wear OVER the panty hose is REALLY uncomfortable. (dresses, skirts)

LPH, I agree with you!! Not even volunteer work! If i have to go through a big PROCESS, the h e l l with it.