Interview with Prof. for RA Position Tomorrow - Suit??? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have an interview with a professor tomorrow for a research assistant position.

The professor is kind of old, but I don't know that he's old fashioned.

The interview is only going to be about 20 minutes.

I don't want to risk looking like a DB by walking in there in a suit. Even business casual seems a bit dressy for me. But it is a job interview, and he is old (which I just presume to mean old fashioned).

Your thoughts?

[ajaj46]

i'm no authority--i was an RA just one semester and only did one interview--but i went in shorts. it was july in new york, fwiw. that being said, i think anything more than a shirt with a collar and khakis is overkill

[Sup Kid]

I voted nice casual, but really I think you should wear a polo and slacks...no need for a dress shirt or a tie, but jeans may be a little too casual. Either way, wear dark shoes, not sneakers, and don't worry about the clothes. They will not be determinative of whether or not you get the position.

[Aqualibrium]

What does your prof wear everyday?

[James Bond]

Just look put together. Khaki's and a polo/sweater. Maybe an oxford shirt if that's your thing. Nice shoes. Belt.

[Anonymous User]

What does your prof wear everyday?

He wears khakis and a button up. That's a clever thought... maybe I'll emulate him.

[Aqualibrium]

What does your prof wear everyday?

He wears khakis and a button up. That's a clever thought... maybe I'll emulate him.

Pretty much...

[king3780]

What does your prof wear everyday?

He wears khakis and a button up. That's a clever thought... maybe I'll emulate him.

Pretty much...

This sounds like a safe bet. FWIW, I had a late afternoon interview for an RA position and just wore the jeans and polo shirt I had worn to school that day and still got the gig.

[Bankhead]

Absolutely not necessary to wear a suit.

[kurla88]

I'd say business casual, no tie. Something that looks like you might have been wearing it all day and you just dress that way for school - but is secretly nicer than usual.

[Bosque]

I want to hear from the 5 schmucks who voted suit. I want to know what their deal is. Did they not read the title? Are they just perpetually overdressed? Or are their law schools' RA hiring processes significantly different than mine?

[straxen]

Temporarily resurrecting this thread in order to properly plan my cleaning.

Would anyone disagree with the general consensus on business casual/no suit rule if the professor happened to be a certain leading proceduralist famous for never wearing anything apart from a three-piece suit? Debating between niceish business casual and suit no tie.

[dakatz]

No way a suit would be necessary (or even appropriate for a situation like this). Grab a nice polo and some khakis and you are set.

[09042014]

Isn't the general rule to not be more dressed up than your interviewer (though erring on the side of suit if you can't tell what they will wear)?

[vamedic03]

Temporarily resurrecting this thread in order to properly plan my cleaning.

Would anyone disagree with the general consensus on business casual/no suit rule if the professor happened to be a certain leading proceduralist famous for never wearing anything apart from a three-piece suit? Debating between niceish business casual and suit no tie.

I would wear whatever you would wear to class. If you're really concerned ask his secretary.

[justhockey31]

I vote business casual...decent pants and a button up shirt (no tie) would be solid...I would always think it would be best to dress one step above for the interview

[paulinaporizkova]

i vote tie (bus. casual) because he's old. do you have a bow-tie by chance? possibly some bonus points for you to earn there.

[justhockey31]

i vote tie (bus. casual) because he's old. do you have a bow-tie by chance? possibly some bonus points for you to earn there.

hahaha i think bow-ties r ridiculous...my UG president wears one everywhere and it just makes me giggle

[Lawl Shcool]

hahaha i think bow-ties r ridiculous...my UG president wears one everywhere and it just makes me giggle

Gordon Gee FTW

[justhockey31]

hahaha i think bow-ties r ridiculous...my UG president wears one everywhere and it just makes me giggle

Gordon Gee FTW

Correct, I see him all the time around Ohio State's campus and even at the bars downtown and he's ALWAYS wearing that goofy bow tie lol

[Lawl Shcool]

hahaha i think bow-ties r ridiculous...my UG president wears one everywhere and it just makes me giggle

Gordon Gee FTW

Correct, I see him all the time around Ohio State's campus and even at the bars downtown and he's ALWAYS wearing that goofy bow tie lol

Ya, hes the man.

[zomginternets]

Ok I guess I'll be the one to defend the full suit (minus the coat if it's really hot).

I think it's difficult to be overdressed for an interview. I think it shows that you're serious about the professor, his research, and getting the position. I'm sure >50% of professors wouldn't care if you came dressed in shorts and slippers, but there's no point in taking the risk of offending an old-school professor (who might not necessarily be an old person btw) and not getting the RA job just because you didn't wear a suit. Our criminal law professor specifically advised our 1L class to wear a suit to RA interviews.

Bottom line: I've never heard of someone not being hired for a job because they wore a suit; but everyone and their mom have heard stories of someone not being hired solely because they didn't wear a suit.

[Aqualibrium]

Ok I guess I'll be the one to defend the full suit (minus the coat if it's really hot).

I think it's difficult to be overdressed for an interview. I think it shows that you're serious about the professor, his research, and getting the position. I'm sure >50% of professors wouldn't care if you came dressed in shorts and slippers, but there's no point in taking the risk of offending an old-school professor (who might not necessarily be an old person btw) and not getting the RA job just because you didn't wear a suit. Our criminal law professor specifically advised our 1L class to wear a suit to RA interviews.

Bottom line: I've never heard of someone not being hired for a job because they wore a suit; but everyone and their mom have heard stories of someone not being hired solely because they didn't wear a suit.

Topic Title: Interview...Tomorrow

Date posted: November 10th, 2010

Date you replied: January 26th, 2011

[LjakW]

Temporarily resurrecting this thread in order to properly plan my cleaning. :P

Would anyone disagree with the general consensus on business casual/no suit rule if the professor happened to be a certain leading proceduralist famous for never wearing anything apart from a three-piece suit? Debating between niceish business casual and suit no tie.

You should wear a three-piecer to interview with Arthur. I think he'd appreciate it.

[zomginternets]

Ok I guess I'll be the one to defend the full suit (minus the coat if it's really hot).

I think it's difficult to be overdressed for an interview. I think it shows that you're serious about the professor, his research, and getting the position. I'm sure >50% of professors wouldn't care if you came dressed in shorts and slippers, but there's no point in taking the risk of offending an old-school professor (who might not necessarily be an old person btw) and not getting the RA job just because you didn't wear a suit. Our criminal law professor specifically advised our 1L class to wear a suit to RA interviews.

Bottom line: I've never heard of someone not being hired for a job because they wore a suit; but everyone and their mom have heard stories of someone not being hired solely because they didn't wear a suit.

Topic Title: Interview...Tomorrow

Date posted: November 10th, 2010

Date you replied: January 26th, 2011

... Date resurrected: January 26th, 2011.