Interview suit?
- Thread starter USN88
- Start date
etflies
Keeping calm, Chiving on.
USN88 said:
So far I've attended 4 airline interviews, and had 4 offers (knock on wood). I've only worn a gray suit because I can only afford one suit. I've worn either a white or blue shirt with a red or gray tie. Think conservative and as long as you look professional you're golden. Get it cleaned, iron your shirt, knot your tie so it looks decent. Make sure to shine your shoes, then show them that they'll be able to spend 4 days up front with you without making them want to take the crash axe to your dome and you're gonna do just fine.
USN88
Well-Known Member
Cool! I figured as much, but sometimes you read that airlines like to see a certain suit/tie combo and don't want to be the guy that stands out. Then again, these are regional airline interviews. I bet you could walk in with shorts and flip flops and get hired these days.
adk
Steals Hotel Toilet Paper
If I were interviewing at a major I would wear navy or charcoal. A lighter (but conservative) grey should work for a regional interview as long as the shirt is white and the tie is red or blue. If you think a banker would wear it it'll work. Hope that makes it clear as mud.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
Fit is always more important than color. A suit in a great color that fits poorly will never look as well as a suit of a slightly less desirable color but that fits perfectly.
In this case, for a regional interview, go with the suit that fits better. If it was a Delta interview, I'd tell you to bite the bullet and go buy a Brooks Brothers navy blue suit. No need for a regional interview, though.
In this case, for a regional interview, go with the suit that fits better. If it was a Delta interview, I'd tell you to bite the bullet and go buy a Brooks Brothers navy blue suit. No need for a regional interview, though.
USN88
Well-Known Member
ExpressJet.
rd757
Well-Known Member
I wore a charcoal suit with a white shirt and red/grey striped tie. I've heard of a guy who interviewed with a tie that had approach lights on it. Not even joking. He still received an offer.
I doubt the guys there really care as long as your pants are hanging down and you look like you care, you're fine. The fact that you took the time to ask and are putting thought into it means you're more than likely good to go already. Sadly, it's more effort than some folks put in.
Edit: I found the notorious approach light tie. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/runwaylightstienav.php
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
Good read:
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/04/24/style-pyramid/
For those keeping score, I'm batting 1000 on aviation interviews wearing a blue shirt/gray tie combo. The suit is just one of several details that need to be addressed when it comes to interview success.
surreal1221
Well-Known Member
dasleben said:
While I appreciate AoM, when you think about it, it is disappointing to think of a generation of men who have grown up without their father's guidance when it comes to proper attire and style development.
But - thanks to the Internet, young men can have the father they never had. All while their real father is sitting in the lazy-boy watching football in sweatpants and wife-beater under shirt.
#TeamAmerica
falconvalley
Absentee Dad of the OOTSK, Runner, Cat Frustrator
At least the general consensus is to care about it. My dad was raised, with 7 siblings, by a Marine, who served in WWII. He taught me to be responsible, hardworking and dependable. But he knows nothing about the ins and outs of the airlines. I see that in others, also. But you do get the clueless folks, who make you wonder how they managed to figure out how to apply in the first place. I've interviewed impromptu in scrubby attire and gotten the job enough times to scoff at worrying about what color suit to wear. If there's a special style that I need to know about and it's not included in the invitation, then it's not my fault that I'm not wearing what they want and that's probably not the only reason they won't give me the job. I once interviewed twice for the same job and was given essentially the same interview (regional airline). I interviewed the 1st time in August of 2005 and the second time in November of 2006. There were 4 of us fighting for 2 jobs the 1st time. The feedback they gave my sponsor (he walked my résumé in both times- brave man) was that my instrument knowledge was "weak". I remember the question in the face to face that they scrutinized the most. They asked it again on the 2nd interview and I answered it the same because I was confident I knew the answer. I got hired the 2nd time.
I'm almost certain the biggest factors, BEFORE you set foot in the door, are need and outside influence (people pulling for you). AFTER you walk in the door it's where you are coming from (your experience) and how your confidence represents your experience, which is what they are primarily concerned with. If you don't look like a scrub and you followed any attire instructions they gave you, it's not the tie that gets you hired.
I'm almost certain the biggest factors, BEFORE you set foot in the door, are need and outside influence (people pulling for you). AFTER you walk in the door it's where you are coming from (your experience) and how your confidence represents your experience, which is what they are primarily concerned with. If you don't look like a scrub and you followed any attire instructions they gave you, it's not the tie that gets you hired.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
While it's "not the tie that gets you hired," your attire most certainly could get you not hired. Someone who interviews well and has great qualifications, but who shows up in a pastel blue suit probably isn't going to get the gig. I'm conducting interviews next week for a new secretary for our office. I already know they're qualified by looking at their resumes. The interview is all about seeing how they present themselves and communicate. If they show up in casual attire, they aren't getting hired, no matter how qualified they are. There are plenty of people looking for work. I don't need to hire someone who doesn't take her interview seriously enough to wear professional attire.
RRPower
Well-Known Member
Administrative Assistant....
Ohh and they changed stewardess to flight attendant as well. Guess that's offensive too.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
Nah, lots of companies still use Secretary. Hell, ALPA's a labor union, and even we used the title "Office Secretary."
I'm old school.
Agree on the fitted suit. Get a good tailor. Dont look like this.
"and you may ask yourself..."
Seriously, get a dark, tailored (fitted?) suit.
Dress well, perform well, you'll exude confidence and you'll have a better chance of setting a great first impression, especially compared to the guy with the too-long khahkis and the coat he bought from the thrift shop.
It's an interview. You have one chance to make a professional impression.
It doesn't matter how you feel, looks do matter during an interview.