This anonymous interview is with an Academic librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee. This librarian works at a library with 50-100 staff members in an Urban area in the Midwestern 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.
√ False
If a woman wears a skirt to an interview, should she also wear pantyhose?
√ Other: I don’t care either way
Women should wear make-up to an interview:
√ I don’t care, as long as it’s not over-the-top
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.
If someone really dressed down, I’d have a hard time considering them seriously. However, I once had a colleague (of an older generation) reflect that she didn’t think one particular candidate was dressed formally enough, even though she was wearing a smart black skirt suit – because the suit had some interesting details in the jacket (too fancy, I suppose).
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)
√ Single, simple necklace, bracelet, and/or ring
√ A few simple necklaces, bracelets, and/or rings
√ All of the simple necklaces, bracelets, and rings he or she can load on
√ Arty or more elaborate necklaces, bracelets, or rings
√ Nose Ring (nostril)
√ Eyebrow Ring, Monroe piercing, septum piercing, or other face piercing
√ Earrings
√ Multiple Ear Piercings
√ Large gauge ear jewelry (stretched ears)
Which hair colors are acceptable for candidates:
√ All of them, even pink
The way a candidate dresses should:
√ Show personality
How does what a candidate wears affect your hiring decision?
Minimally. However, it does affect my initial judgments of a person – someone who pays attention to their clothing (it doesn’t have to be fashionable or expensive, just neat and intentional) will always have an edge up for me, as they will be representing the library (and thus me), and I want them to put a positive face forward.
What This Library Wears
How do you dress when you are going to conduct an interview?
I have always worn either a suit or a professional type dress with stockings and pumps.
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?
√ Other, We don’t have one – the expectation is business casual, but many people wear casual clothing:
Are there any specific items of clothing, etc. that are forbidden by your dress code?
√ N/A: We wear what we want!
Librarians at your organization wear: (Please check all that apply)
√ Name tags
This survey was co-authored by Jill of Librarian Hire Fashion – submit your interview outfit to her blog!
Photo:
Hiring Librarians 