Research Assistant "Interview" attire Forum

[uwb09]

I handed in a resume/cover letter for a RA position this spring with one of my professors. He asked me to come by his office for 10-15 minutes on Friday to "discuss my RA application".

I'm a total jeans/t-shirt student, should I go full business casual for this? I was thinking just doing a nice button up with dress/casual shoes with nice jeans.

[northwood]

You are talking to your professor about a job. Its a causal interview. I would say it depends on your relationship with the professor, but at least I would wear dress shoes, a nice pair of jeans and a button down collar t-shirt. Business causal would be fine. This is a business meeting to talk about job prospects, not a educational meeting to talk about the reading or course.

[uwb09]

ya that's pretty much what I was thinking, thanks

[beach_terror]

I'd do brown shoes, khaki's, button down, and sweater for this. I think jeans are a no go for this.

[Sinra]

I handed in a resume/cover letter for a RA position this spring with one of my professors. He asked me to come by his office for 10-15 minutes on Friday to "discuss my RA application".

I'm a total jeans/t-shirt student, should I go full business casual for this? I was thinking just doing a nice button up with dress/casual shoes with nice jeans.

Don't wear jeans for any interview ever. No matter how casual the interview is. Be professional. I worked in HR and I cannot say this enough: Dress professionally. Jeans are not professional.

[uwb09]

ya, i'll just do khakis/button up to be safe

[Geist13]

Seriously. Why do I keep reading recommendations for wearing jeans to interviews? Interview? If yes --> suit. Doesn't matter if the interview is with someone you know, its an interview.

[dextermorgan]

Seriously. Why do I keep reading recommendations for wearing jeans to interviews? Interview? If yes --> suit. Doesn't matter if the interview is with someone you know, its an interview.

Nice jeans are fine if you are interviewing to be a construction worker. HTH

[vamedic03]

Seriously. Why do I keep reading recommendations for wearing jeans to interviews? Interview? If yes --> suit. Doesn't matter if the interview is with someone you know, its an interview.

No. Interviewing for an RA position generally does not require a suit.

[northwood]

a suit would be a bit too much in this instance. Dress pants, and a ironed dress shirt ( buttoned up of course) would be appropriate. Dont bring your backpack to the interview.

[chup]

Seriously. Why do I keep reading recommendations for wearing jeans to interviews? Interview? If yes --> suit. Doesn't matter if the interview is with someone you know, its an interview.

No. Interviewing for an RA position generally does not require a suit.

This. I know profs who would probably not hire you if you showed up at their office in a 3-button.

[09042014]

Seriously. Why do I keep reading recommendations for wearing jeans to interviews? Interview? If yes --> suit. Doesn't matter if the interview is with someone you know, its an interview.

No. Interviewing for an RA position generally does not require a suit.

This. I know profs who would probably not hire you if you showed up at their office in a 3-button.

Fucking california hippies. You guys make it hard to interview in the tech world. Half the companies would ding you for showing up in a suit, half the companies would ding you for not showing up in a suit.

[chup]

Fucking california hippies. You guys make it hard to interview in the tech world. Half the companies would ding you for showing up in a suit, half the companies would ding you for not showing up in a suit.

Just gotta understand the culture, bro.

[Journeybound]

I wore slacks and a button up shirt with no tie for my RA interview last year. All of the other interviewees dressed up to a similar standard. Don't wear a suit.

[forty-two]

I wore slacks and a button up shirt with no tie for my RA interview last year. All of the other interviewees dressed up to a similar standard. Don't wear a suit.

Do you remember what the girls wore? Was it skirts tops and cardigans? Dresses? Pants and a top? Heels or flats? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry, I have an interview with a Prof on Friday and have no idea what to wear. Thanks!

[BaiAilian2013]

I wore slacks and a button up shirt with no tie for my RA interview last year. All of the other interviewees dressed up to a similar standard. Don't wear a suit.

Do you remember what the girls wore? Was it skirts tops and cardigans? Dresses? Pants and a top? Heels or flats? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry, I have an interview with a Prof on Friday and have no idea what to wear. Thanks!

Any of those could be acceptable business casual - just wear whatever you would wear to an office job. No 4-inch heels, no hot pink, etc.

[shepdawg]

I wore jeans, a t-shirt, and doc marten boots to my "meeting" with my professor/boss. I got the job. Sweet gig. $1700 for 6 weeks working from 5:30pm to 7:30pm 4 nights a week, thus allowing me to keep my daytime internship.