Dare I ask...can I get away without wearing a suit?

TravDK

TravDK

Well-Known Member
I have a feeling that I will be the only guy in the room without a suit, but I had an interview come up on short notice and I am about 1200 miles away from my suit. If I was not trying to scrape by on a CFI salary I would go out and buy another. However, I am not exactly interviewing for a high paying job (anybody heard of Colgan :) ).

My honest opinion is to shirt and tie the day and be myself, but if that is too Taboo for HR, I fear I may have to get out the damn credit card and make a $200 suit cost $350 by the time its paid off!

Thanks guys.
 
How short notice? You can have someone overnight you a box for much less than the price of a new suit.

I just jumped on USPS.com, its only about $40 to overnight a box you could cram a suit into from Ohio to Florida.
 
Thanks for the overnight idea. Am I a rebel for just accepting that I may show up in a nice shirt and tie?

Short notice: found out today that my interview is in a different city on friday and saturday. Problem is I am working full time in the mean time!
 
I wouldnt worry about it. Chuck will be wearing a shirt, tie and sportcoat.

Just make sure you look REALLY sharp in your shirt and tie and slacks.

Maybe an airline pilot in the area where your suit is can help you out. We get a really great fedex discount and could probably have it overnighted for 20 bucks.
 
"REALLY sharp".... come on dude, I couldn't look any other way :D

But seriously, thanks for the reply. I did the "mass" interview with Colgan down in Miami last month wearing a shirt and tie and it went over well. I will make a point to tell them that on their salary I will finally be able to afford a nice suit!!
 
TravDK said:
I fear I may have to get out the damn credit card and make a $200 suit cost $350 by the time its paid off!

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with hitting up the local Salvation Army store or GoodWill store and picking up a suit. Find a tailor, (most dry cleaner stores,) and you're good to go for under $100.00.
 
TravDK said:
I have a feeling that I will be the only guy in the room without a suit, but I had an interview come up on short notice and I am about 1200 miles away from my suit. If I was not trying to scrape by on a CFI salary I would go out and buy another. However, I am not exactly interviewing for a high paying job (anybody heard of Colgan :) ).

My honest opinion is to shirt and tie the day and be myself, but if that is too Taboo for HR, I fear I may have to get out the damn credit card and make a $200 suit cost $350 by the time its paid off!

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

I hear they like to see them the first day of ground school as well.:rotfl:
 
Go check out your local thrift store/Salvation Army/Goodwill store, etc.

I went looking for a costume prop and found several really nice blazers at a thrift shop.

It was $1.

If you interviewed at my present employer without at least attempting some sort of suit of reasonable composure, you'd be shown the door near immediately.
 
Yeah I know our Salvation Army thrift store has suits/sport coats etc for good prices.

If not, try rental :P

Or just ask a fellow Vero beach person. I know there are people around there with suits. And being in Florida, im sure the goodwill has tons.

Google it.
 
I second (third?) the Thrift Store idea. I have gotten some really nice suits for under $5. Hit up the tailor for another few bucks and there ya go!
 
Dress as appropriately as you can. Other than that don't worry about it.
Just make sure you can answer all their canned questions with the meaningless answers they want. Thats the most important thing.
 
BajtheJino said:
Dress as appropriately as you can. Other than that don't worry about it.
Just make sure you can answer all their canned questions with the meaningless answers they want. Thats the most important thing.
Click to expand...


'Wearing a suit' may in fact be one of those canned answers they want, too.

"Do you care enough about getting this job to wear something at least resembling a suit? We like that here, and it's commonly known if you ask."

"Not really."

"Thanks for coming out. Don't call us- we won't call you. Have a good day."
 
TravDK said:
I will make a point to tell them that on their salary I will finally be able to afford a nice suit!!
Click to expand...

Sure, and they will change their payscale because your rebel attitude is going to be a wake up call for them.
As a matter of fact, why don't you just get regular pants, just normal white shirts not a pilot shirt and don't even bother buying the hat either. That first year FO salary will be pretty low to afford a uniform, right?

A lot of people had great suggestions. Unless an employer tells 'don't ware a suit' , ware a suit!
 
Seriously now.

Wear a suit.


In fact, some of our members here that have been employed at certain airlines have even gone as far as to wear suits to ground school after getting hired.

Dedication- they haz it.

(Seriously though- if you have one, wear a suit to an interview. If you don't have a suit- get one!)
 
Not sure if they still do but most Men's Wearhouse stores have a rental section. Additionally most tuxedo rental places also rent regular suits. Got my first airline job wearing a rental suit.

Good luck!
 
Or look at it as an investment. Ive got a suit thats very nice, then 2 others that are ok, nothing major. You dont need to dress like Al Capone, but you shouldnt look like Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny.

MCVSandersSuit.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies (well most of them, I think one didn't like my "rebel" attitude! did i say anything about a hat?)

I caved and got a really nice suit and did very well during the interview. All that work and $ for the suit and we were told to take off out jackets! I was offered the job with colgan and told my employer today that I will be staring with Coglan in two weeks!!!!

Take Care
 
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