Another lesson for job-seekers

Joe Gremlin said:
If you're going to stop in anywhere just to inquire about a job, you should always do so expecting/prepared to interview on the spot. If you ain't ready to interview, i.e. dressed, resumed in hand etc, then don't stop in and ask because you'll never know how many interviews you never got simply because you stopped in to ask looking like a slob.
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That explains why I was never continously employed after high school:sarcasm: You know I have to see a shrink from the depression of all the rejection I have gotten in my life.:sarcasm:
My point is just like I said, what you can do and have done look a lot better in some eyes than if you can look like your dressing for Easter service. Dude, just because you can wear the clothes doesn't make you a huge standout. A person shouldn't be in a hiring position if they can't get a good gauge on someone's attitude/demeanor by talking to them. Has anyone heard of dressing for the occasion, that's common sense. If I'm just hanging out and decide to go into someplace just to inquire they better understand that people have lives. If you want a formal meeting then that can be dressed for. If you want to work for an organization that worries about your looks when you aren't representing them or are an employee, then that has to be one organization I don't want to work for. If you have that attitude then you better know your stuff, be confident, and articulate.
Heck, I got my job at Nordstrom in the formal menswear dept by just walking in to inquire after coming from track practice. Dressed in a hoodie and jeans.
 
Sprint100 said:
A person shouldn't be in a hiring position if they can't get a good gauge on someone's attitude/demeanor by talking to them.
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Whether they should or should not be in a hiring position is not subject to debate. The fact remains that such people are in hiring positions. I never said that a person won't get a job if they go in looking like a slob. I said you'll never know how many interviews you didn't get.

You can certainly get a job without doing this as your employment record shows. But that doesn't mean that I'm wrong. It just means we have no way of knowing how many more interviews you could have gotten.
 
Man...
...I coulda done better than that. Srsly....some people.
 
Joe Gremlin said:
But that doesn't mean that I'm wrong.
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You're right on that point, I was just showing it from my POV using my experience as an example. Mainly so people can build up a confident attitude (that's more than saying to yourself and friends I can do it) to take advantage of opportunities.
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kiloalpha said:
I was told you are ALWAYS at an interview whenever you visit an airport. I have run into many potential employers during my stops in FBOs. So dress accordingly.
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Seems that this post was left hanging on its own, but it needs a big

:yeahthat::yeahthat:

You never know who sits on a hiring board, or who just might end up being your CP one day. Treat everyone you meet as a potential employer and you will be surprised how far you can go.
 
Sprint100 said:

You're right on that point, I was just showing it from my POV using my experience as an example. Mainly so people can build up a confident attitude (that's more than saying to yourself and friends I can do it) to take advantage of opportunities.
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Well a confident attitude is a very important component, no doubt. The problem with sending the message that confidence is key is that all too often it leads to boneheads like the one this thread is about. That kid has all the confidence in the world, but it sure seems like he doesn't have two functional braincells to rub together if he thinks that anyone gives a crap about his mad pilot skillz. You need confidence. But you need to be smart enough to understand reality as well. And the reality is that showing up prepared will never hurt you while showing up unprepared might.
 
You know Mike, it was you, Scott Koloc and Scott O'Grady (yeah that one) that got pilot slots out of our graduating class.
 
Doug Taylor said:
I think so.

Pags did the Nav route, got stuck and all of the Missiliers are at the Pentagon.
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Wow. Thats right, there were very few Nav too. And the rest went missles or non-rated.

Last I heard of O'Grady, he was with the Reserves....419th/466th out of Hill. But I think he's out now.
 
Flew with some guys up at Hill that were there when he arrived. Let's just say... well, let's just say. :)
 
About 2 weeks ago I did a $100 hamburger flight with my parents and little sister. We went to BKL in Cleveland, to have have sandwiches and visit the rock and roll hall of fame. My dad stopped me while I was mowing his grass to ask me if I wanted to go. I said "YES" and then ran into the house to change my clothes and shower up. I wasn't thinking about jobs or anything. Once we got there, while my mom and sister were in the bathroom, I went wondering around the little museum they have there. I noticed a little door that said "Performance Flight Training", or "Precision Flight Training" or something like that. There was this dude in there who appeared to be giving ground school to a student. I thought about walking in to see if they maybe are in the position to get one more instructor on board. By this time my sister and mother were ready to go, and I didn't want t hold them up because I knew the conversation might go on long, also I didn't want to interrupt the student, so I left it alone.

A few hours later on the way back, the same instructor was there with the same student (or maybe a different one I don't know), so I just left it alone. I have a feeling that even if I did ask the guy how things were, he'd tell me the same thing everybody else is saying: "We have 2 students and 5 instructors currently"

Anyways, had I did have an opportunity to talk to the guy, according to this thread I wouln't have had a shot anyways. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I knew nothing about the company or how much they pay, nor did I have a resume with me. I didn't think it mattered. BOY WAS I WRONG. Sheesh talk about a dodged bullet...
 
nbv4 said:
Anyways, had I did have an opportunity to talk to the guy, according to this thread I wouln't have had a shot anyways. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I knew nothing about the company or how much they pay, nor did I have a resume with me. I didn't think it mattered. BOY WAS I WRONG. Sheesh talk about a dodged bullet...
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It sounds like you're very casually looking for a job. If it doesn't matter to you if you get the job or not, feel free to stop in wearing whatever you want and ask whatever you want. Nothing wrong with that. I'm always happy to talk flying with anyone who walks in the door. Just don't expect employers to do anything but casually look at you.

If you're serious about getting a job, as in, "I really want to work for Precision Flight Training," yes, you'll need to bring your A game. Follow the tips already given in this thread. Take it seriously and employers will seriously consider you.
 
Nothing wrong with an impromptu job recon mission. If one finds him/herself in this position and somewhat unprepared, a little humility goes a long way.
 
nbv4 said:
Anyways, had I did have an opportunity to talk to the guy, according to this thread I wouln't have had a shot anyways. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, I knew nothing about the company or how much they pay, nor did I have a resume with me. I didn't think it mattered. BOY WAS I WRONG. Sheesh talk about a dodged bullet...
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Does it matter? Absolutely. Does it always matter? Absolutely not. Even a broken clock is right twice a day so if you pound on enough doors in looking like a slob*, you're bound to find someone who doesn't care and will hire you.

All I'm saying is why stack the cards against yourself. Some employers won't care, others will. You have no way of knowing which you'll find so its in your best interest to assume they will care.


* Jeans and a tshirt don't automatically mean you look like a slob. It just depends on the jeans and tshirt.
 
Sprint100 said:
That explains why I was never continously employed after high school:sarcasm: You know I have to see a shrink from the depression of all the rejection I have gotten in my life.:sarcasm:
My point is just like I said, what you can do and have done look a lot better in some eyes than if you can look like your dressing for Easter service. Dude, just because you can wear the clothes doesn't make you a huge standout. A person shouldn't be in a hiring position if they can't get a good gauge on someone's attitude/demeanor by talking to them. Has anyone heard of dressing for the occasion, that's common sense. If I'm just hanging out and decide to go into someplace just to inquire they better understand that people have lives. If you want a formal meeting then that can be dressed for. If you want to work for an organization that worries about your looks when you aren't representing them or are an employee, then that has to be one organization I don't want to work for. If you have that attitude then you better know your stuff, be confident, and articulate.
Heck, I got my job at Nordstrom in the formal menswear dept by just walking in to inquire after coming from track practice. Dressed in a hoodie and jeans.
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I think you are absolutely correct. There are probably many companies who have missed out on great employees, because they were judged by something that really should not matter. You never know someone's personal situation. They may not have anything else to wear, which is why they are desperately looking for a job. They may not even be formally looking for a job, so much as just inquiring because they happen to be in the area, burning time.

I've gotten jobs before, as well, walking in, inquiring, while wearing jeans and a t-shirt, or jeans and a polo. I got one of my jobs, while still wearing the uniform of my then employer. I got my current job, without ever interviewing, or even meeting the manager. He called me, and hired me over the phone, due to my recommendations.

Point being; there are some companies that hire you, and judge you based on qualifications, and recommendations, and there are those who boot you out the door, before they even look at any of that stuff, simply because you are not wearing a three piece suit. I agree, I would not want to work for the latter. Don't get my wrong, I think it is a good idea to dress appropriate for a job interview, and I always do, when it is set up as a formal interview, and not just me walking in to inquire, off the street, but I don't think a potential employer should judge someone solely on dress.
 
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