Appearance over Substance

[RandFan]

Indeed, the field is called "attribution theory" if anyone fancies googling on it. It's amazing how quickly people make evaluations of others and then evaluate further evidence in the light of that initial evaluation.

Yes, and as amazing we will find the reasons to justify those evaluations Post hoc.

"See, I just knew he/she was a..."

BTW, the reason we do this is because it has served us well from an evolutionary aspect. But we can do better and should work to make decisions relying more on critical thinking and questioning our held views.

 

[jj]

Ah, so you're a superficial bigot who bases your judgments on facile and meaningless characteristics?

You know, Mel, that's not what I saw him say. I'm not sure where you came up with that one.

 

[Dark Jaguar]

I prefer my ugly computer with a powerhouse running in it to those sleek "Mac"ish machines that have this look I must admit is VERY nice but the inside lacks a lot of hardware.

Others however will look at a bunch of computers and disregard a large number of affordable and/or powerful models because they just don't "look nice". They may find a nice one that also looks nice, but they sure missed their chance to snag a really good deal simply because appearence mattered more than substance.

I think both sides here have a good point. On the one hand, you want someone who looks like they might actually do what you tell them to do and shows an actual interest in the job. On the other hand, appearence really is irrelevent.

For my part, I can only add this. A test! I demand a test!

Perhaps an experiment should be run. We can determine if someone who looks the part is one with a higher probability of having the needed abilities for the job rather than merely speculate on it.

 

[Wudang]

But we can do better and should work to make decisions relying more on critical thinking and questioning our held views.

Indeed we should try. 2 things - first, it's not really something we can totally control so we need to allow for it. See, for instance another thread where people make the attribution that if you think a particular person can't write decent fiction then you're incapable of logical thought. Second, we need to take into account that other people will be doing it. If we can trigger the desired attributions in others, by eg wearing a suit for the first meeting, then it seems silly to me not to do so. Then again, I'm more of a Sun Tzu fan.

 

[Melendwyr]

You know, Mel, that's not what I saw him say. I'm not sure where you came up with that one.

Of course he didn't use those words. That's an accurate description of what he did admit to doing.

The Don agrees, incidentally.

 

[The Don]

Absolutely I do agree.

If someone turns up to an interview inapproriately attired (and as far as I'm concerned that's not in a suit and tie or jacket and tie for men and the equivalent for woment) then like as not I will reject them out of hand. My reasons for this would be that:

The person is either unaware as to what comprises business attire, or is aware and feels that their wishes override convention. They are either naiive or full of themselves, I do not wish to employ someone like that.

In my opinion, someone who does not attend to their appearance prior to an interview is showing me a lack of respect. I do not wish to employ someone like that.

I do have experience with working with people who behave like this and have found them in the main to be less good than their more compliant bretheren.

You may say that I've missed out on some great employees as a result, and you're probably right. If I'd have applied this rule earlier in my career I'd have avoided some real nightmares too. On balance I'm happy with my decision making process.

 

[Beerina]

The second is: "is this meaningful, or is this just putting appearance over substance?"

Unless you're interviewing to be the drummer in a rock band, you should probably wear a suit.

Well, heck, probably even for that. The Stones' drummer looks like the kind of guy who'd wear a suit to his own drumming interview. Now actual tryouts, that's another thing...

Actually, cutting the hair probably helps, too, even though I know several spectacular programmers who have long hair. But I also know one dud, too.

As someone who actually does interviews of others, looking good adds a little edge of professionalism to otherwise equal candidates. It shows you take things seriously.

Of course, suits don't help out much if you don't know your stuff that well, either.

 

[jj]

Unless you're interviewing to be the drummer in a rock band, you should probably wear a suit.

Really? Even for a company that says "dress as you normally do" on an interview application, and one where I see maybe 1 or 2 ties, let alone suits, in the whole building?

Actually, cutting the hair probably helps, too, even though I know several spectacular programmers who have long hair. But I also know one dud, too.

As someone who actually does interviews of others, looking good adds a little edge of professionalism to otherwise equal candidates. It shows you take things seriously.

Of course, suits don't help out much if you don't know your stuff that well, either.

Let's say that I find this curious. It would appear that you're suggesting that you would count the attire of some of the smartest people I know against them.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. Your opinion, like the Don's, would, however, appear to place a great deal on "how people dress" that simply is not backed up by any real study of employees I'm aware of.

Obviously, you don't need a total rebel, but that is something that goes far beyond dress. I mean, if the contrarian types here were to interview, I would be surprised if they weren't in top-grade, well-cut suits and ties.

 

[drkitten]

Obviously, you don't need a total rebel, but that is something that goes far beyond dress. I mean, if the contrarian types here were to interview, I would be surprised if they weren't in top-grade, well-cut suits and ties.

You're at Redmond? I'm afraid you don't want to know what I would wear to interview with you....

But, again, that would be part of my interview process, to see just how much I could get away with not following the "large software company ostensibly headquartered in Redmond, but morally occupying most of the eighth circle of Hell" corporate policy and culture. Because I'm fairly confident that I don't want to work for Mr. Gates -- but I might be willing to work for you.

 

[jj]

You're at Redmond? I'm afraid you don't want to know what I would wear to interview with you....

Heh, well, I, personally, am pretty hard to shock. Comes with being old and having grown up in the 1960's, I guess.

 

[ingoa]

I did my share of job interviews (both sides of the table). In my experience it comes down to: You can only make a first impression once.

The question is: which message do you want to pass on?

Looking for a job I always wore suits. Just to state to my potential employer: if needed, I can look like a manager. That were the times when I was still doing research (particle physics). Actually this ability proved quite useful. Although in my previous jobs it was not necessary to dress up, the ability to do so (and still looking comfortable ) offered some additional benefit to my employer. I was sent to negotiate with VP's of companies about our IT equipment, not the guy who was as competent as me, but looked as if living under a bridge.

As the guy who hires, I expect a similar approach. I believe you that you can look like a slob. Everybody can do that. But can you represent my project if needed? That is important to me. It does not do to be dressed as the typical physicist when you have to deal with politicians to acquire a few hundred million funding for our research center.

It is okay to have a casual guy/girl who can deal with our civil engineering folks. But it is better to have somebody who is presentable enough to be shown to decision makers as well. Especially for technical people (aka. stars) it is a real benefit to be able to represent my project.

So appearance is important. It is not the only deciding factor. But if all other things are equal, it might make the difference.

 

[jj]

Especially for technical people (aka. stars) it is a real benefit to be able to represent my project.

So, why would someone in a longsleeved T (neat, intended for outerwear, etc, all that), cargo pants, and a large laptop full of presentations not be able to present a project?

 

[Melendwyr]

In my experience it comes down to: You can only make a first impression once.

In my experience, people who base their decisions on initial impressions aren't people I want to be working for.

 

[jj]

In my experience, people who base their decisions on initial impressions aren't people I want to be working for.

Well, yes, but we live in a world where 'flash is fact', dont' forget.

Don't take that as approval, please, it's not.

 

[Achán hiNidráne]

OK, but what about poor schmucks like me who can't afford a $500 suit right now?

 

[Melendwyr]

OK, but what about poor schmucks like me who can't afford a $500 suit right now?

That proves you have nothing to say worth listening to. Just look at you! The green skin says "I reject your skin-color conventions, and I don't need to be reassuringly familiar." We don't like things that don't reinforce our preconceptions, Mr. Ander-- I mean, Siefert.

 

[rustypouch]

Just because of this, I am going to wear a suit to work tomorrow.

I work a fairly casual sales position, but I am already one of the best dressed people at work. Once in a while I like to go all out.

 

[TriangleMan]

OK, but what about poor schmucks like me who can't afford a $500 suit right now?

Search around your area to see if organizations like this one are around. There are charities that provide suits to people who can't afford a suit to help them with interviews.

 

[Wudang]

$500? I can buy an acceptable interview suit for £100 for a position as a senior programmer. For example
http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=5838&Page_Count=1&RestartFlow=t