TubeNet

I have an interview for admission in to a PhD program in music education next week. Today's dress codes seem to be relaxed so much more than in years past so I am unsure of myself on what to wear. My instinct is to wear my charcoal suit, but I worry about being overdressed. ON the other hand, if I wear my sport coat then I have the worry about being underdressed for the occasion. As many of you who frequent here work in the academic world I seek your advice.

I did a campus visit in October and would like to think that I left a good impression on the head of the program, but I have not met the rest of the faculty who will be involved in the interview process so I want to make sure that I have a good first impression on them as well.

To you, the highly esteemed TNFJ, I give my humble thanks

Chadtuba wrote:I did a campus visit in October

How did the faculty you met dress, generally speaking?

Donn wrote:

Chadtuba wrote:I did a campus visit in October

How did the faculty you met dress, generally speaking?

My advice for an interview would be to take this question, then dress one step higher. If you usually see them in business casual, a sport coat might be fine.

Having said that, though, I don't believe a suit is EVER overkill for an interview, unless you're interviewing for a job with an employer whose reputation is based on its casualness. Unless that's the case, the charcoal suit is generally safer.

Wear the suit. I don't think you'll be sorry that you did.

If you do find yourself overdressed or they insist that you get more comfortable, you can always shed the tie and the jacket or even roll up your sleeves.

I have always felt more comfortable being the best dressed person in the room rather than feeling like I'm under dressed. Don't dress at the level of the faculty, dress a step above.

Donn wrote:

Chadtuba wrote:I did a campus visit in October

How did the faculty you met dress, generally speaking?

The head of the Phd program was in jeans and a blouse, but she and I met as she had just returned from a road trip from a conference so I cannot say if this was her daily wear. I sat in on a couple of band rehearsals where the DOB wore jeans and a university sweatshirt (not a "casual Friday"), I had a lesson with the tuba/euphonium instructor with him in slacks, button down, and a sport coat hanging on the back of his chair. The only other faculty I had interactions with were the two marching band directors; I believe they were in khakis and polos at the 7:30am rehearsal on the field.

I did my campus visit in slacks with the sport coat so I'll probably go with my gut and put on the charcoal suit with a pastel colored shirt & tie but ditch the vest.

bloke wrote:haircut and shiny shoes

No hair and of course!

Suit AND tie.
The whole suit and no tie thing only works if you are an executive or the president.
Best wishes for your interview!!!
(And like bloke said, it never hurts to shine your shoes.)

Uncle Buck wrote:

Donn wrote:

Chadtuba wrote:I did a campus visit in October

How did the faculty you met dress, generally speaking?

My advice for an interview would be to take this question, then dress one step higher. If you usually see them in business casual, a sport coat might be fine.

Having said that, though, I don't believe a suit is EVER overkill for an interview, unless you're interviewing for a job with an employer whose reputation is based on its casualness. Unless that's the case, the charcoal suit is generally safer.

Absolutely excellent advice, in my opinion.

MartyNeilan wrote:Suit AND tie.
The whole suit and no tie thing only works if you are an executive or the president.
Best wishes for your interview!!!
(And like bloke said, it never hurts to shine your shoes.)

Sorry if I didn't state it, but to me a tie is non optional, it is a must if you are putting on a coat be it suit or sport coat. Thanks for all the well wishes. At this point it is the suit. One other question, is the three piece suit overkill or should I just go with the coat and tie?

Chadtuba wrote:

MartyNeilan wrote:Suit AND tie.
The whole suit and no tie thing only works if you are an executive or the president.
Best wishes for your interview!!!
(And like bloke said, it never hurts to shine your shoes.)

Sorry if I didn't state it, but to me a tie is non optional, it is a must if you are putting on a coat be it suit or sport coat. Thanks for all the well wishes. At this point it is the suit. One other question, is the three piece suit overkill or should I just go with the coat and tie?

IMHO a three piece suit is very 70's.
A vest can still look good with a tux and is a virtual must for tails, but seems to largely have fallen out of fashion with a regular suit. I work in a very conservative environment and about the only person who regularly wears a three piece suit (even on 95 degree days) is the 90 year old former executive director, from three executive directors ago.

Now we're talking style, which makes more sense than over- vs. under-dressed (unless underdressed = uncomfortably cool, overdressed = uncomfortably warm.) But if you overdo it on style, could that lead them to suspect you're not really a tuba player?

If you're going to the trouble to shine shoes, might as well have a look at the nose hairs.

As one who is in a profession that still actually does wear suits on a day-to-day basis, for the interview: the charcoal suit (as much as I like them, leave the vest at home), a white commercially laundered and pressed shirt (light or no starch), moderate tie, shiny black shoes, black socks (you're on your own for underwear) black belt that doesn't show wear, and a minimum of jewelry (basic watch, wedding ring if you're married, maybe another ring you usually wear on the other hand, but not something to attract attention), the hair cut two days before so it has a chance to look like it should, and make sure everything fits: if the suit needs attention, like a loose or cracked button or such, or a problem with waistband or hem, get it fixed. If the shirt is tight, get a new shirt 1/2 inch larger and get it commercially laundered.

Shirts off the shelf are a damn problem these days, since most manufacturers for their mid-line shirts have gone to "combination" sizes, so that nothing fits unless the particular person's arms are exactly a match. Even today, the suit jacket sleeve to shirt sleeve relationship should be to show the shirt sleeve 1/4 inch.

The overriding purpose of all this fal-de-rah is so that when the interviewing panel talks to you, they talk to you. They don't talk to the suit, they aren't distracted by it or any accessory, and ideally the next day, they are talking about the conversation they had with you and that your appearance was appropriate, but they can't remember what you actually wore. And on the other side, it fits so well that you are comfortable and you can talk to them, without distractions, pulling on your collar, shifting in your seat, etc.

MOST OF ALL, IN TODAY'S ELECTRONIC WORLD: POWER DOWN!!! Yes, don't just rely on "silent." Power down all electronics, whether pager, cell phone, i-whatever, Dick Tracy watch, etc. Don't check what time it is on one of these contraptions. Better yet, leave them in the car if you can. Sure as shooting, just as you are completely focused and delivering your best answer or engaged in discussion on the most pertinent question of the day, it will go off, embarassing you, breaking the focus, and the next day they won't remember a single word you said, only that the gizmo went off.

OK, this bordered on a rant. But well dressed is still well dressed, even after (mumble) decades. Best of luck on your interview!

It doesn't matter WHAT the interviewer is wearing, you should definitely wear the suit. Even if you get accepted and its the only time you EVER wear a suit there, wear it for the interview.

Wear a two-piece suit, freshly cleaned and pressed. Same for the shirt. Wear a normal tie, nothing too skinny or too wide. And no HUGE tie knots either. Make sure your shoes are clean. They don't have to be shiny or fancy, just clean and respectable.

bloke wrote:Yes.
Dressing "above" the room does not demonstrate any sort of uppity-ness. Rather, it shows respect.
The same (quite obviously) goes for on-stage recital attire.

+1!

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression"

I think plenty has been said regarding your original topic, I'm just curious as to where you're interviewing? If you don't mind saying...

Well, since it has been a bit since I put on the charcoal suit, and since my weight fluctuates significantly, I tried it on and all is good. I'm going to drop it off at Men's Wearhouse and have it steamed/pressed just to make sure it's all good to go. The next task is which shirt and tie and to shine up the shoes. Probably will press one of the blue shirts and get one of the nice subdued ties.

Much thanks for all the advice.

bloke wrote:
Just tell us that you got the gig.

For all the help, advice, and especially the humor that y'all have brought to me over the years, you're almost like family, no wait, you're better than family since I like you guys/gals so of course I'll pass the good word.

Chadtuba wrote:

bloke wrote:
Just tell us that you got the gig.

For all the help, advice, and especially the humor that y'all have brought to me over the years, you're almost like family, no wait, you're better than family since I like you guys/gals so of course I'll pass the good word.

Looking forward to it!

I went with the 2 piece charcoal suit with a nice blue shirt and tie. Freshly shaved and minty fresh, but alas to no avail. I got the sad news today that UNL did not accept me into the PhD program. I'm not sure exactly what to do now, but I do know that it will be ok and that another door will open. I'll be speaking with my professor here about the possiblity of just staying here in Fargo and completing a DMA with him. I'll also be closely watching the job postings within about a 4 hour distance of here and see what opens up.