This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee at a library with 10-50 staff members in a suburban area of the Southern US.
What Candidates Should Wear
Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?
√ Probably, yes (but it’s ok if the candidate wears something a little less formal)
An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:
√ Counts as a suit
Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.
√ I don’t care
If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?
√ Other: is this a serious question?
Women should wear make-up to an interview:
√ I don’t care what’s on the face, it’s what’s in the brain that counts
Is there anything a candidate might wear that would cause them to be instantly out of the running? If you have any funny stories about horrifying interview outfits, we’d love to hear them.
We had an interviewee as if she could take her shoes off during our library tour. She also wanted to order alcoholic drinks during lunch. Neither was a good move.
Can you share any stories about how a candidate nailed the proper interview outfit, especially if your organization does not expect suits?
Nope.
Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?
√ No
Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)
√ Other: I don’t care
Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:
√ Natural colors (black, brown, red, blonde, gray)
The way a candidate dresses should:
√ Be fairly neutral
How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?
It doesn’t affect my decision as much as it affects what others I work with think.
What This Library Wears
How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?
Slacks and sport coat, with tie.
On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:
4
What’s the dress code at your library/organization?
√ Business casual
Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code? Please check all that apply
√ Jeans
√ Flip flops
√ Tank tops
This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!
Photo: imagerymajestic on FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Hiring Librarians 