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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?

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

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.

What does your prof wear everyday?

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

Aqualibrium wrote:What does your prof wear everyday?

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

Anonymous User wrote:

Aqualibrium wrote: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...

Aqualibrium wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Aqualibrium wrote: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.

Absolutely not necessary to wear a suit.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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)?

straxen wrote: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.

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

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.

paulinaporizkova wrote: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

justhockey31 wrote: hahaha i think bow-ties r ridiculous...my UG president wears one everywhere and it just makes me giggle

Gordon Gee FTW

Lawl Shcool wrote:

justhockey31 wrote: 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

justhockey31 wrote:

Lawl Shcool wrote:

justhockey31 wrote: 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.

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.

zomginternets wrote: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

straxen wrote: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.

Aqualibrium wrote:

zomginternets wrote: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.