[ale] [OT] Cheap Suits

[Lightner, Jeff]

Wow - you sound like Barney on How I Met Your Mother - you're awesome dude!

Just kidding - Seriously though I do believe it important to interview in a suit even when you're going to an environment that is totally business casual (or just plain casual).   As the old saying goes - You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

It has been several years since I've bought (or needed) a suit but I used to buy them at Barry Manufacturing over on Peachtree Industrial near 285.   I'm not sure if they're still around.   They had Big and Tall sizes.

Minor rant:  Why do Big and Tall stores always think you're going to be EITHER big OR tall but not both?

That reminds me of an interview several years ago.   When I walked into the interviewer's office he had an issue containing his mirth.   He apologized and said that when he had asked one of my references what two words described me he had been told "Big boy!"   I'm not sure if that response helped or not - I did get the job.  :-)






-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Mike Harrison
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2012 7:40 AM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
Subject: Re: [ale] [OT] Cheap Suits

On Fri, 20 Jan 2012, John Anderson wrote:

> Realising that I have grown too fat for my current interview suit I am
> in the market for another one.
>
> I recall seeing various adds for cheap suits around town.

Don't interview in a cheap suit. Even if more casual,
You want to interview in stylish high quality everything.
Your watch matters. That timex you love on a nylon strap
(like my business partner loves to wear) will cost you $5k+ per year.
No watch will cost you less than that. A tasteful business-oriented
watch (as jewelry, not function) will help. Same for shoes, belt, etc..

You want to dress 1 step above the position you are applying for.

Trim your nails, ear hair, etc.. shave the night before
and the morning of the interview, use a moisterizer both times.
(Borrow your wifes) you will look younger.

The clothes need to be in good shape, fit, and you need
to be wearing them like you are used to wearing them.

(Note: a client recently admitted to me that a guys cheap watch
  made him look hungry enough to take a lower offer. Which he did. $10k+ gone..)

Got a couple of classy gay guy friends or some stylish girls in your life?
Enlist their help. Invest some money in a wardrobe.

When I get "dressed", people notice. My $700 fitted jacket, worth every
penny. Same for shoes, shirt, etc.. Nothing should have a visible label.



Usually, people are just happy I'm wearing clothes. :)

------------------------------------

Option 2:

Dress like you don't care at all if you get this job,
full gnarly beard and suspenders.. cheap comfy clothes..
but you better have the uber-geek rocket scientist status
to back it up.

--------------------------------------

(in a former life I used to interview and hire technical people for a
Fortune 200 company. )

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