This anonymous interview is with a public librarian who has been a hiring manager. This librarian works at a library with 50-100 staff members in a City/town in the Midwestern US.
What Candidates Should Wear
Should the candidate wear a suit to the interview?
√ Probably not (but it’s ok if the candidate does wear one)
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?
√ No, but it’s not a dealbreaker
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.
I want applicants to wear work attire to an interview. Whatever is appropriate for a workday is a appropriate. Jeans or shorts are a dealbreaker.
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)
√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Nose Ring (nostril)
√ Earrings
√ Multiple Ear Piercings
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?
Piercings and/or non-natural hair colors would cause me to make a judgement about the person, probably.
Some people just don’t project a professional image, no matter what they wear. Those are the people I likely don’t hire.
What This Library Wears
How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?
I generally would wear one of my nicer work outifts. I do not own a suit, and I almost always wear pants, so likely pants and a dressy top.
On a scale of one (too dressed up for my workplace) to five (too casual), khakis and a polo shirt are:
3
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
√ Visible Tattoos
√ Short skirts/shorts
√ Tank tops
√ Logos/band insignia/slogans
Librarians at your organization wear: (Please check all that apply)
√ Badges
Do you have any other comments?
Age of the responder may have been helpful. I know that my organization has dress code issues due to the advancing age of some of the employees/managers.
This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!
Photo: Interview outfit by Flickr user everyplace
Hiring Librarians 