job interview

[r1g0r]

i have an interview for a potential job coming up next week. this position would be with the same company i am currently employed with, but a completely seperate division. it is a technical position that i am fairly well qualified for, and i have taught some of the principle portions of this position when i worked for another company.

the decision i am faced with is: should i go dressed in my "sunday best" (pants, etc...), or should i present myself as i normally am (skirt, etc...) ?

this position would be a lateral change (little to no change in pay), but would give more time to be with my family.

the company i work for, and the state i work in, both have a STRICT gender-expression anti-discriminatin law/policy. but we all know how that can often work.

any ideas/input/experiences?

r1g0r (trying to figure out which way to go...)

[crfriend]

i have an interview for a potential job coming up next week. [...] with the same company i am currently employed with, but a completely seperate division. it is a technical position [...]

the decision i am faced with is: should i go dressed in my "sunday best" (pants, etc...), or should i present myself as i normally am (skirt, etc...) ?

That's a tough one. The company is already, no doubt, aware of your preferred mode of attire, and they don't seem to have any problems with it. I think the operative concerns might be "do the folks in the sister division know about your attire choices" and "are they well aware of your skills and that you've taught the principles of the position already in your career"?

If they already know about your fashion choices, it shouldn't be too much of an issue -- official policies and laws notwithstanding.

It doesn't need to be a binary decision, either. Common wisdom states that one "should look his best" in an interview situation, but if one takes great care with a skirted garment -- and the "other team" is expecting it -- you should be able to pull it off. I'd stay away from casual looks, and ratchet the overall look to well above "office casual" (some of which can look really sloppy); in other words, "dress the part you want to play" not the part you're playing now. Whether we like it or not, looks are an important factor in the interview process, as are personal biases and prejudices on the part of the interviewer (which is one of the reasons that interviews are now conducted by teams instead of individuals). There should be some "shock and awe" caused by professional attire, but the interviewers should also feel comfortable with the interviewee.

Good luck no matter what you decide to wear.

[boca]

I think crfriend's comment is quite correct. Since you are staying within the company, if the different division has any sorts of questions, etc. they could contact your current division and ask about how your performance was there.

Go ahead and wear a skirted garment, however make sure that it is a very professional look. Since it is a job interview, and as most interviews go there is an expectation for one to present themselves by looking good. However looking good doesn't mean you have to wear pants.

[skirttron]

This is a hard one to advise on, so please do what you think best. They could react two ways:
(1) Acting amused or surprised (male interviewers in this case) to prove their doubted masculinity to their colleagues.
(2) Pleased with themselves to take such a modern attitude that they rejoice in the diversity and novelty of your choice of dress.

The only possible trouble with technical staff (of course I don't know what kind of technology or what level) is that some bread-and-butter-level practitioners can be a bit linear-minded. Really-talented and creative practitioners are, by contrast, usually extremely open-minded.

[Bravehearts.us]

Consider the job. I wouldn’t go in my Sunday best but I would advise against wearing a skirt to the interview. They may see you as a rebel and in their mind they may think that you could cause issues down the road in other areas they may not approve of. Consider who is doing the interview. Do you know them? Are they real straight “middle of the road” people? Will you be dealing with the public or other firms? They may feel that your skirt may reflect poorly on the company even if they, personally, have no problems with it. Once you have the job in your pocket you can ask them how they would feel about your clothing. Then you can make YOUR decision.
Lar

[binx]

You can always wear 'em after you get the job. :ninjajig: If you really want the job and the quality family time, I'd go all the way with the "Sunday best".

binx