What to wear to an unofficial job interview

I'm taking a trip in a couple of weeks to visit some family/friends in the US. This will involve a lot of working from home during the day and a few brunches and dinners out, so pretty casual. But I've also been chatting with someone via email for about a position in their lab (I'm in academia) and when I mentioned I'd be in town, they suggested I come out for a visit to chat and "see the campus."

So, basically, it's a job interview but the way the request was made was more casual/unofficial. Showing up in a suit would be overkill (especially since academics tend to be less formal to begin with). In addition, it'll be around 30C/86F and I'll be taking public transit, so I don't want to show up an overheated mess.

Any suggestions for what I should wear to look professional without overdoing it? My business casual wardrobe is pretty minimal, but I have a few pairs of trousers and some pencil skirts. And jackets are bulky to pack and hot, but I could bring one if needed. Thanks for your help!

11 years ago

Kimberley

Veteran

Don't you have a VC tube skirt? This seems like a great time to pull it out....

Dee

I do have a tube skirt! And it would be great to pack because I could also wear to brunch, etc. I might take it anyway. But I wasn't sure if it would be a little too body-con for a job interview?

(website)

Hmm, I have done some checking up on jobs (very informal - bartending) and I wore a casual cotton skirt with tucked in silky blouse one time and a crisp white button front over black skinnies the other time. Flats with both.
Might have some pics if I look around . . .

pic 2 is the items but with different shoes/accessories (on vacation later that year, couldn't find the pic from job search day)

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avicennia

Dee, being a PI I have on occasion invited a potential grad student or post-doc to stop by the lab. I would be taken aback if they were dressed either too informally (e.g. shorts, dirty or torn jeans, old t-shirt) or too formally (suit or dress and wearing a blazer). To my mind the sweet spot is slacks, since it's summer cropped is fine, blouse, and carrying a light jacket or sweater in case of AC. I would start of carrying the jacket and only put it on if it's really cold. Starting off with a jacket might make you look too eager, as will wearing a full suit. On my first visit I wouldn't wear a skirt or dress. I wear plenty of skirts and dresses but would save them for the second visit or the second day of a formal interview. Good luck!

Isis

I agree with avicennia. You want to look like a nicer version of ready-to-work in a lab, so I wouldn't wear a tube skirt. Labs here require closed toe shoes and covered legs, and you want to be available to tour the lab. I like the idea of slacks or cropped pants if you want to be summery. If it is hot and you won't be packing a jacket, I wouldn't even pack one just for the interview. One of your outfits for going out to dinner would probably work.

Mo, I think if I combined your two outfits (skinny (well, all of mine are straight leg) dressy pants and silky blouse), that's probably about the level I want. I never feel quite as confident in a skirt as pants, for some reason.

Avicennia, thanks! Finding that sweet spot is exactly the problem I'm having. I wouldn't even pack anything dirty/torn/stained, nor do I want to pack a suit, but that middle ground covers a lot. If you think I can get away with a nice cardigan/sweater instead of a jacket, that helps quite a bit.

Isis, that was my initial thought about the tube skirt. I may still take it for the trip, because it'll be really versatile for other days, but I don't think it's the best choice for an interview. Also, the "lab" is computational, not a wet lab, so I wasn't thinking so much about the no-exposed-extremities part of lab culture. But pants are probably still the better option in case we tour any other facilities.

Diana

I wore trousers + a blouse for all of my post-doc interviews and I felt appropriate. That is what most people who interview in our lab wear too. I agree a suit is way too much.

Diana, my field/departments have always skewed casual, even for academia. Khakis are not uncommon on interviews at all levels. Combine that with the vague nature of this visit and I want to make sure I wouldn't be going too far in either direction. It looks like I'll end up packing something business casual for the interview and a whole bunch of casual clothes for the rest of the trip. Oh well, that's what checking a bag is for.

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