If you had an interview with a footwear brand, would you wear their shoes? - YouLookFab Forum

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If you had an interview with a footwear brand, would you wear their shoes?

Mander

(website)

Veteran

So, this is hypothetical, but I'm working on an application for a job in the corporate communications department for a well-known footwear brand. Their product was always far too expensive for my grad student budget, so I have never owned any of their shoes, although their designs intrigue me.

In the event that I actually get an interview with them, do you think it would be an unwritten expectation that I turn up wearing their shoes? My inclination is to think no -- after all, I'm applying because of the work itself, not because I am a fangirl. But then I don't have a background in marketing so I don't know if this sort of thing is totally obvious to insiders, and wearing a competitor's brand would instant mark me out as "not one of us".

Thoughts?

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from Niki Lea

Anonymous

I would definitely wear their shoes to the interview. I have a large assortment of shoes and probably would still continue to wear all of them once I got the job.

rute

Veteran

I would too! It's a nice touch

Style Fan

Veteran

I would wear their shoes. I have never worked in fashion or marketing so I am not an expert.

kkards

Veteran

so this is a toughie…..when you say expensive are we talking about a months salary expensive or just slightly more than you might normaly spend? are the shoes recognizable so that if you don't wear them it will be easy to see?
more important, i think, is that you can speak to experience of shopping for this brand, the fit of the shoes, and the general feel of the brand. and during the interview, it is best to remember that if hired, they will expect you to be a fangirl (at least from 9-5).

Deb

Veteran

I don't think it would be an expectation, though it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if your budget permits. It shows some belief in their product and I'm sure it wouldn't go unnoticed.

Staysfit

Veteran

I hope they recognize that most grad students cannot afford their shoes! I would dress as nicely as possible in whatever you think fits for the role you would be playing, and somehow let them know that you are very knowledgeable about their product.

Traci

Veteran

If I had a pair of their shoes in my wardrobe that were a favorite, I would definitely wear them...If I had to go out and buy a pair for the interview, then no.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Do you know anyone who works there? Or can you connect to someone who works there through your LinkedIn network? An insider would be able to tell you what the expectations are. I'd start there.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I doubt there would be an expectation that you'd wear their shoes to interview, but I'm sure it would be noted and appreciated if you were already a customer -- it certainly wouldn't hurt.

Why not take a closer look at some of their shoes, try them on and see if you fall in love enough to consider buying and wearing them?

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Yes, consider acquiring a pair. Would a resale pair be an option? In any event, you're not a graduate student any more but a corporate job seeker. Now you need to budget for and add key pieces for future interviews & opportunities. A pair of quality footwear will be essential anyway. So why not give this brand of shoes a shot provided they work for you?

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

No, I wouldn't expect a grad student to spend money. I would like to see you wear some splendid shoes that show that you appreciate the value of a quality product. These people will be into noticing shoes.

That said, maybe EBay if you want to try to get some for a one wear use.

MsMary

Veteran

Yes. Yes, yes, yes. Consider it a job-hunting expense. (ETA unless we are talking about something WAY over the top like Valentino or Manolo Blahnik. But up to a few hundred dollars a pair, I say absolutely.)

ETA 2: This is something the ladies at Coporette.com would really enjoy discussing, I think. Would it be okay if I copied and pasted your question (anonymously, of course) over there?

Diana

Veteran

I think it's a nice touch. Unless the shoes are really expensive.

Elle

Veteran

If it isn't totally out of your budget AND if the shoes are appropriate for an interview (not athletic shoes), then I would wear their shoes to the interview. The interviewer will notice.

If you can't wear their shoes, then try some on and be able to talk about the brand.

Good luck with the application!

Susie

Veteran

Yes, IF there is a style of their shoes that would be appropriate for an interview. I wouldn't wear a pair of sneakers or rain boots with a suit

Obviously their products will be a topic of discussion during the interview. You wearing their product shows that you get them and could be a fun talking point.

Eliza

Veteran

A nice touch if you can afford the shoes and would be happy to wear them regardless of how the interview goes. As you are interviewing for the communications department, I don't assume that wearing the shoes would be an expectation. However, if springing for their shoes doesn't make sense, do let your interview look reflect that you pay attention to your footwear. I think that most people in communications would understand a limited budget coming out of grad school and it is possible to express an affinity for a brand over time without wearing it. I have 2 "kids" in communication fields, so I get how pragmatism could need to rule.

carter

Veteran

I would, but I'd try to find them at a consignment shop or on Ebay--not so much for cost, but because I think last year's shoe says, "Love X brand shoes. They're a staple in my closet." Whereas, this year's shoe is more likely to say, "I bought these for the interview in the hopes you won't notice that I don't have any marketing experience."

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I wouldn't buy a pair just in time for the interview, no. You know they'd ask about them and then you'd seem like a Johnny come lately. If you already have a pair and they're appropriate for an interview outfit, sure. Or if you don't own a pair, going and at least trying some on would be useful research that you could talk about during the interview process.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I would TOTALLY do this -- assuming the shoes fit my foot and would be comfortable, and assuming the shoes were not completely, totally, wildly, absurdly out of the range of what I might buy if I were actually employed. I think it is a gracious touch and shows you've done your research.

I wouldn't do it if I had foot issues, if the last was totally wrong for my foot, or if it would represent serious financial hardship.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea of doing market research. They know you aren't their demographic, and I think it would be refreshing to hear someone say, you know I have aspired to a pair for a long time. Here's why I love them. As a grad student, I was very practical with my budget, but I am so looking forward to upgrading my style as I transition to the next phase of my life. Saying that while looking totally stylish and appropriate would make me want to know what this woman is capable of with more resources. Not just in fashion but as an employee. Sign your employment offer here....

Anonymous

If they are out of your budget, there's no shame in saying that. BUT, I would definitely go try some on and see how comfortable they are. If you end up really loving them, you could relate at your interview what happened and tell them you've decided to save up for a pair.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

So many great thoughts! Mary, I'd love to know what the people at Corporette think. Feel free to post this question there!

Just a couple of things: we're not talking a hugely expensive luxury brand, but they do cost between around £75-200. Not such a big deal if you are employed, but I haven't had a steady source of income for the last two years (actually more like 10, but for most of that time I was a student). I've been job hunting non-stop since I finished my PhD with no luck, just occasional freelance gigs. At this point in my life £20 would be a big splurge, let alone £75. I'm keeping an eye out on eBay etc. but there's no guarantee I'll find something.

My role wouldn't have much to do with actually generating the marketing
materials, just doing the copy editing, so in that sense I think that
being a fangirl from the get-go would be less important. But I hadn't thought about going out and trying on a bunch of their shoes as company research. I could certainly do that! They are well known for being a comfort brand so I'm interested in
trying their shoes anyway, given that I have been struggling with very fussy feet lately. I could also talk about my aspirations to "upgrade" my personal style, and how their shoes might fit into that.

ironkurtin

Veteran

If you can't afford them, then don't worry about it. I once interviewed for Ford and I drive a Toyota. But if you can't afford them, I would certainly talk about your respect for the designs etc. If you sound smart, that means more than wearing their shoes.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I would add, just be sure that you do not wear the shoes of a direct competitor, if the brands are obvious. Sort of like not bringing your Samsung phone to an Apple interview.

Often employees can't afford the goods that they sell, and they have jobs.

Good luck with the interview!

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Interesting responses! I would NOT, because I feel like it would be trying too hard or trying to get a leg-up or something like that. I would be self-conscious about it, wondering if they thought I was trying to brown-nose.

Double NO if you don't have practical experience with their shoes. What if they wanted to ask you about them, not formally as part of an interview, but as conversation? How much can you say if you've only worn them a couple of times? What if your feet hate them? I'd be too paranoid about that! But I have trouble finding comfy shoes.

K. Period.

Veteran

If you do not already own some and you would have a hard time justifying the expense, I would not buy just for the interview! However, I would definitely be familiar with their shoes and spend some time trying on their current styles. I would also be able to describe at least one or two shoes in their current lineup that you like and why. I actually think that wearing a brand-spanking-new pair of their shoes to an interview would be a bit off-putting. You want to look like you are interested and knowledgeable, but confident that you have the skills that you need to do the job (which is the key point), and aren't just relying on fan-girl-dom to get you in the door.

Eliza

Veteran

I agree with others that being able to "speak shoe" would be a plus for a copy editor. Regardless of budget, I think it could be important to spend your energy learning about the company, its structure and market, and gaining specific footwear vocabulary that could help you edit (and interview), depending upon the content you will be handling.

I wouldn't worry about shopping for the out of reach. If you get the job, you will have plenty of chances to display your loyalty.

Best with it!

MsMary

Veteran

Okay, the Corporettes are on it: http://corporette.com/2014/09/...../#comments

Niki Lea

Veteran

Mander, I work in PR and while you certainly will want to dress the part and look nice I think your actual skills and personality will be vastly more important than wearing their shoes. Be you. Just my two cents.