There are no hard rules, the underlying theme is to present yourself in traditional conservative business attire. Styles and trends change so having a clue about what's in and what's out with suits is a good thing. Browse a copy of Forbes or Inc. in between flights and checkout what the (conservative) exec crowd is wearing - then try to emulate that in the interview.

If a black handbag will hold your logbook, copy of application, resume, etc. I don't see a problem. Just don't go in looking like a bag lady.

As for taking off your jacket, if they invite you to make yourself comfortable, then I'd say something like "Thank you, do you mind if I take off my jacket". Just read the tone of the interview, if their supper stuffy, suffer through with the coat.

 

Hey, you can stop talking about me like that!

When it comes to interviews, I say you should stay conservative all the way. This means do not take your jacket off even if they pull this "make yourself comfortable" jive on you. Think about it - where are you going to put this jacket? Where is your purse by now? What kind of shirt are you wearing underneath that jacket? Not you, but if someone has a gut, a jacket hides it better than a flimsy shirt. Etc etc etc etc as The King in The King and I used to say.

In my spare time, I am in a committee that interviews judges and lawyers who aspire for a Governor's appointment to the State Supreme Court. Not a single one of them has taken the jacket off, crossed their legs (I can see since I always sit in the seat directly across from the Hot Seat), cracked knuckles, or even taken a drink from the Candidate's Water Glass. And the law is as conservative as you can get.

 

Birthday suit. Makes for a great icebreaker.

 

From the Sporty's magazines you can buy a real pilot shirt, captain's hat and "professional pilot pants." It says while wearing these clothes you will "command respect!" I know what I'll be wearing to my first interview

 

Well, you have all saved me from ever wearing one of my 3 piece pin-stripes that I had made while visiting Tailand...and for that I say thank you;-)

Great advice...the Zebra suit is pimptastic too!

 

Yeah, it actually almost makes me want to apply and get an interview someplace I would never go to work for just so I could show up at the interview wearing that! (For the record, I would have to buy it first, I don't own the suit or the purple Cadillac the no doubt goes with it)

 

At my recent interview the CR told everyone in the the group to take coats off because we were making him nervous.

 

Agreed.

Men's Warehouse or Jos. A. Bank. You can't go wrong with either.



atp

 

I interviewed with Eagle and it was 111 outside, fortunately AMR likes to keep the temperature of their buildings only slightly above that of a meat locker so you will be fine. Only problem was after they offered me the job (!) I had only an hour and a half to catch my return flight and it involved a 2 block huff to the bus stop. Now I know what you are thinking, 2 blocks is nothing. But in a suit, with your hand bag and suit case (even a small roller-board), you are probably going to want to chuck that undershirt when you are done. Sucks but everyone does it. I guess I didn't mind it as much because I had was given a job offer. ymmv

 

I'm also trying to put together an interview outfit to be ready for whenever that time comes.

As far as what to wear as a woman, I figure I can't go wrong with a black pantsuit, but would something like charcoal grey be acceptable?

Also for the shirt, would something like this with gathering be considered too unprofessional/frilly??


As for the color of the shirt, does it need to be white?? Or would a color like Red, purple or dark blue be too bold? I worked on Capitol Hill after college and they are pretty conservative out there, but I still managed to never own a white or light blue button down shirt lol.