This anonymous interview is with a public librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee. This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members in an Urban area in the Midwestern US
What Candidates Should Wear
Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?
√ Yes, absolutely! It shows respect and professionalism
An outfit with a coordinated blazer and trousers:
√ Other: Second interview only.
Bare arms are inappropriate in an interview, even in the summer.
√ False
If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?
√ Either pantyhose or tights. Bare legs are innappropriate
Women should wear make-up to an interview:
√ Other: Yes, but not garish. Professional.
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.
NO printed stockings. I once interviewed a girls with flames running up her legs on her stockings, which led the eye to her too-short skirt.
NO outrageous facial piercings.
NO sandals.
Do you expect different levels of formality of dress, depending on the position you’re hiring for?
√ Yes, the higher the position, the more formal I expect the candidate to dress
Which jewelry may candidates wear: (Please select all that are acceptable)
√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ Earrings
Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:
√ Natural colors (black, brown, red, blonde, gray)
The way a candidate dresses should:
√ Other: Look professional and intelligent.
How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?
Clothing meant to draw attention to the wearer implies narcissism. Narcissists are poor employees, poor coworkers and the worst possible supervisors. Dressing professionally, neatly and appropriately hints that one is eager to work and willing to cooperate with organizational norms. Such people usually do good work and work well with others.
What This Library Wears
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
√ Logos/band insignia/slogans
√ Other: Distracting or unprofessional bodily adornment.
Librarians at your organization wear: (Please check all that apply)
√ Badges
This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!
Photo: job interview cartoon by Flickr user Mr Daniel Ted Feliciano via Creative Commons License
Hiring Librarians 