Comments on: Emergency Reader Mail: What to wear to a lunch with an interviewer?

By: LizM

LizM — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:58:11 +0000

I work in the federal government, and agree with Erin. The only time we wear suits is if we have an important meeting or are going to court. That said, no one in my office would look out of place in a nice pants suit.

By: The Image Expert

The Image Expert — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:43:15 +0000

I always tell my clients, when in doubt, wear an un-matched suit. You’ll look sharp and competent. If the environment is more casual than you planned for, you always have the option of removing the jacket.

conselleimageconsultant.wordpress.com

By: The Image Expert

The Image Expert — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:41:29 +0000

During a business lunch, it is highly advisable to order an item that isn’t messy — though I’m sure that lesson will be etched in your mind forever!

conselleimageconsultant.wordpress.com

By: End of the Week: 31st January 2010 « Travisthetrout's Blog

End of the Week: 31st January 2010 « Travisthetrout's Blog — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:57:12 +0000

[...] What to wear to lunch with an Interviewer? [Corporette] [...]

By: Help - Follow-up

Help - Follow-up — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:22:22 +0000

Difficult to explain. He was a VERY intimidating figure (how ’bout that, the GC of a Fortune 100 company). He asked me at one point if I was going to cry, then got more out of me about my personal history than most people do in a year, complimented my personality and style (thanks C and readers!) and called up the company’s recruiter to talk to me, and then told me to come see him again in a few weeks. He also told me I’ll be quite a catch for a company or firm.

I’ve never had an interaction like that. When I write it like this is sounds great, but my neck broke out in a rash during the real thing – he’d ask me a question in his top story office and then look hard at me for 15 seconds after I answered before he asked another.

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:37:02 +0000

Re: (1) I think no, it looks messy.

Re: (2) absolutely no idea! I always tuck in my shirts at work.

By: Anon

Anon — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:36:15 +0000

Why terrifying?

Glad lunch went well!

By: Help - Follow-up

Help - Follow-up — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:26:47 +0000

Glad I went with a suit. Lunch went well, the post lunch individual chat was terrifying, we’ll see how it pans out. But very, very glad I went with a suit.

By: AK

AK — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:53:23 +0000

Actually, I spent 10 years in government and my husband has spent 20 + years–I agree that once you have a job in an agency your attire may change, but when you are trying to make an impression, my advice always is to make your best impression. I will note that every time I have a meeting with folks from the Federal government (I am now a partner in a firm) all the government lawyers are in suits, and in fact I became even more formal as I noticed the level of formality among the government lawyers with whom I meet. But this may be a NY/DC thing.

By: CJ in CA

CJ in CA — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:15:04 +0000

I meant ask the FOAF- I thought that person was going to be at the lunch too!