Interview Attire at a Regional?

M20B_pilot

Well-Known Member
So I have my interview coming up next week at Expressjet. I've been to other interviews, but never to an airline or dispatcher interview. How should I dress? Suit and tie? Khakis and polo shirt? I definitely don't want to go over or under dressed. Thanks!
 
I'm sure there are enough pages on the internet devoted to picking the perfect interview attire for a professional job that you could spend your entire lifetime reading it. I think it has more to do with your personality than anything else.

Me, I've never worn a full suit for an interview. A nice dress shirt, tie, expensive pair of slacks and my pair of wing tips have gotten me everywhere I've wanted to get to. Fully dressed up is not really my style and I think dressing ever so slightly gives a good message.Then again I'm an adult male who never cut his hair so I think that probably says more about me in an interview than any outfit ever will.

I'll say this: you're never going to get marked down for being overdressed to an interview, but this industry and this profession in particular tends to err on the business casual to truly casual side of things - though we haven't quite managed to reach maintenance status in the casual dress department yet so it's a work in progress.
 
I'm sure there are enough pages on the internet devoted to picking the perfect interview attire for a professional job that you could spend your entire lifetime reading it. I think it has more to do with your personality than anything else.

Me, I've never worn a full suit for an interview. A nice dress shirt, tie, expensive pair of slacks and my pair of wing tips have gotten me everywhere I've wanted to get to. Fully dressed up is not really my style and I think dressing ever so slightly gives a good message.Then again I'm an adult male who never cut his hair so I think that probably says more about me in an interview than any outfit ever will.

I'll say this: you're never going to get marked down for being overdressed to an interview, but this industry and this profession in particular tends to err on the business casual to truly casual side of things - though we haven't quite managed to reach maintenance status in the casual dress department yet so it's a work in progress.

Ill tell you what I seen two fellas apply for a MX controller position at FX who were former DL they showed up with basically business casual IZOD type shirts..Needless to say neither of them got a job.. Manager said if they can't take the time to put on a shirt and tie they don't need this job. Take it for what it's worth. I think this applies to DX jobs as well.
 
I think some jean shorts, hawaiian shirt and flips flops would be acceptable.

It would be on Kwaj... :cool:
Guess I'm going to have to buy some interview clothes....

I'm just speculating here, but giving consideration for the potential work climate might be in order.
Example: I once interviewed (many moons ago) with Southwest for FA (one of those 'cattle calls' at a hotel). I wore my most austere navy blue business dress (suit); and was consistently mistaken by the hotel staff as an employee - reasonable maybe, since I was trying to look like my idea of an FA, while all of the Southwest staff looked like camp couselors (shorts and polos). I always thought this was the reason that I didn't get a 'first-round' call. By the time they contacted me with a class date, I had already taken an contract ATC job. (Was the most wild interview that I've ever had, though - those guys are FUN! - Picture those folks that entertain the crowds in line at Disneyland.)

Disclaimer: I still haven't been through the course, let alone got a certificate - so don't take my word for it...
 
I just can't see wearing a suit, those days are long gone. Nice slacks, shirt/tie will do just fine' that said, even the days of a shirt/tie are long gone (for the most part). I'd say the last time I wore a tie to work was back in the 90's.
 
Ill tell you what I seen two fellas apply for a MX controller position at FX who were former DL they showed up with basically business casual IZOD type shirts..Needless to say neither of them got a job.. Manager said if they can't take the time to put on a shirt and tie they don't need this job. Take it for what it's worth. I think this applies to DX jobs as well.

Oh for sure for the interview, I'm saying after they're hired. MX control has by far had the best dress policy at any airline I've worked for - aka no dress policy.
 
I just can't see wearing a suit, those days are long gone. Nice slacks, shirt/tie will do just fine' that said, even the days of a shirt/tie are long gone (for the most part). I'd say the last time I wore a tie to work was back in the 90's.

There is a BIG difference between what you wear to work and what you wear to an interview.

Where I work, as long as you show up in clothes, that's all they really care. Interview? If you want the job, you show up in a suit.
 
I've always worn a suit to interviews and have never been shown the door because of my attire. Go with a nice suit or at the VERY least, a shirt and tie and you will be covering all contingencies.

just_blaze Places I've worked at the dress code is, at worse, slacks and a collared shirt. Some places are okay with jeans and a nice shirt. I doubt seriously you'll ever be wearing a tie to work as a dispatcher.
 
I would only show up casual if it was explicitly stated in conversation prior to the interview that casual was expected for interview attire. But you know what? Even then... show up in a suit. It could be the one thing that sets you apart from the other 50 people that show up for the interview. Lots of well-qualified people out there. Stand out from the crowd in any positive way you can.
 
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