What to wear to RA interview? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm interviewing with a professor at my law school for a summer RA job in a couple days. The professor is semi-famous in an area I'm interested in, but I haven't met him yet. I think he's kind of a conservative old-school type, but the job is really informal and can be done remotely, like most RA jobs. Any suggestions on whether I should wear a suit or not?

Thanks!

[TLSModBot]

Current RA here:

Generally I would say no - you need to look professional but a suit isn't necessary. Not that it would hurt you - it might feel a little stilted and overly formal, but I can't imagine a professor would dock you for that.

What professors want:

A. someone who can do what the job requires (writing, research, editing, etc.)
B. professionalism/maturity - be responsive, do what's asked of you, present yourself as a functioning adult

I put the caveat 'generally' in there because YMMV. Different professors have different personalities - it's possible that one might be stodgy enough to want a formal process. Mine wasn't like that at all but it just depends on the prof. If you can talk to previous RA's or just other RA's at your school, maybe you can get a sense of things.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks, this is very helpful!

[Avian]

Just wear a suit, the professor will in all likelihood be wearing one as well. Especially since you haven't met him yet, you are going to be making a first impression. It's a very minor thing, but conveys that you take the position seriously. It's possible you could get the position without one, and maybe he wouldn't care, but why take the chance on something so trivial. It's pretty much never inappropriate to wear a suit to an interview.