Face to Face Interviews

Upgrade means a suit and no runover shoes.

A few books come to mind:

The 48 Rules of Power

for an overview

http://www2.tech.purdue.edu/cg/Courses/cgt411/covey/48_laws_of_power.htm ;

the authors web site http://www.powerseductionandwar.com/ ;

The Art of Seduction by the same author has good insights to marketing not normally covered.;

The Art of Wealth : Strategies for Success by Thomas F. Cleary. it's a little abstract but will give ideas in the right direction.

If this is helpful I know of many more books explaining the complexities of business politics/culture/excelling.

I would say courtesy and custom requires a suit and tie for an interview.

I would expect this even for a post which doesn't require one.

( I no longer wear a suit and tie at work ..except when doing training at customer's sites, but I wore one to interview.... ).

On the question of being yourself.... a definite yes...after all, who else would you be?

(OK .... other than Johnny Depp or Brad pitt, they are probably prettier than you but I bet they couldn't do your job.... yeh but then there's the girls.. tough one eh?)

Girls, oh yeah, maybe I can be Danny DeVito's stand in.

That is just about as close as I get to pretty.

Thanks to all for the advice.

I will let you all know next week.

Thanks again.

Wait a minute - if they've headhunted YOU, it should be YOU interviewing THEM. You've already got the job as far as they're concerned and all they're doing is going through the motions to define working arrangements etc but if you guys are in such short supply, ie, valuable, i would lay down a few rules of your own besides your schedule, ie, pay, bonuses for achievement, stock options etc. it sounds like you're not going to get another opportunity like this and life is too short to be pussyfooting around wondering what to wear. If they need you enough to headhunt you then you can be sure someone else does too.

I agree, I have already dictated the interview schedule and some terms.

I guess that the HR people have no clue, and just follow one of their Guru's books.

So, for me it is a nice pair of Boat Shoes, a office type of Khakis (Wrinkle Free stuff), and a matching & slightly flashy Button Down, you know, the kind of stuff I would never wear at a suppliers.

They even emailed me an application (haven't done one of those in a lotta years also).

I am most curious now as to how they can beat my consulting fees and self employment program.

In a phone interview, I told them that the standard benefits offered were not really of any importance.

You shoulda heard those gasps!

But, as I have found out, more and more of my peers are taking this locked in route, so something must be worthwhile.

Giving up the security derived from my independence after all of these years is gonna be tough.

Thanks for seeing it my way.

Those clueless HR people may have more input than you think or there might be an unknown out there, so I would take PetroPower's advice.

This is what I know....

Business casual is dockers and a polo-shirt. This would indicate a tie and sports coat.

However, on any interview you go on keep firmly in mind that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. You want to make sure in the end whether you really want to work for these people. It's the best advice I can give you.

I agree, Vermin. You can't go wrong with Tie and Sports Coat. That is a step in between business casual and business formal. For me, as a rule of thumb, dress to impress. I always wear a suit when interviewing - even for field positions.

Also, if you haven't worn a button down shirt in awhile, for God sakes, wear an undershirt and make sure it's buttoned!

We had to interview this poor guy one time that came in a suit. You could tell he wasn't comfortable in his own skin, which he let show quite well by the bottom two buttons of his shirt being unbuttoned. guess whether we hired him.

Paranoid enough yet?

I guess I just am never that desperate.

Desperation has nothing to do with it.

You have just but one chance to make a good first impression.

And putting one's self on a pedestal, it can be a hard fall. (nice to have a plan "b")

I like to think I'm conservative with this view in mind.

LMAO

It's nice to be able to say neither am I. I've gone in for interviews wearing pretty much whatever I want. For example, My black tee-shirt with the Chinese character on the front that means "F*%k You."

However, some companies still are sticklers for the old tie and jacket. I guess it just depends on who you want to work for and how much they pay.

Seems the less they pay, the more rigid they are.

These people were kinda shocked at how much I can make it 8 months contracting/consulting, to them also.

Hi ya Old Goat !

I work for a top major oil company now, after 20 years as a consultant to large international EMC and EPC contractors. I hired many top people, and fired a few. Remember the saying, "You never get a second chance to make your first impression". My first real 40 hr/wk job was as a "I'll do anything . . . do you have work for me" 17 YO kid walking the streets. I wore a tie to the interview and they guy told me he didn't have anything but he'll find something for a 17 YO kid smart enough to wear a tie. They let me sweep the floor knowing I race up through the ranks, and I did.

Shoes are the tell tale sign of a person. Absolutely number one. Get new dress shoes and polish them to a brilliant sheen. Gig line perfect, pressed starched bright white shirt, conservative tie tied perfect with the tip just touching the belt buckle, coat that wasn't slept in . . . firm handshake, etc. All the stuff you'd tell your son for his interview.

I respectfully disagree with the other reply that you are 'hired', otherwise they wouldn't take time for the face to face. Money they have, time they don't, so for them to take the time to see you then they are looking for potential red flags. With time short and people issues they will have high risk for hiring someone that doesn't fit in their corporate culture and makes waves. This 'disturbance' factor potential is what they will glean from your presentation of yourself.

DO NOT BOOT LICK. Conduct a business meeting as if you were already on board, not an interview. You must be dressed professionally, but you must 'carry' yourself comfortably, not like this is the first suit you put on in your life turning your whole body instead of your head like a cardboard cut out. Dress professional, but 'carry' yourself casual; but not cavalier. Become their field rep in a suit for this meeting only. If they are European or Asian then they will be very interested in your appearance.

To balance any fears of overdressing I always add comments that I'm just as comfortable in a suit meeting the President of Ecuador as I am in coveralls welding right next to the guys if I need to.

For the interview: Take yes for an answer and shut up. Many a deal has been blown by continuing to sell after the sale. Say a lot with few words. Ask them where they want to be in 5, 10, 15 years. Tell them HONESTLY your personal concerns because you don't want to take this and in 12 months leave, so put it on the table and trouble shoot the fears F t F honestly and openly, because, they may not be able to fix them and then YOU have wasted 12 months of your life also. Both need to leave the meeting with zero apprehensions. Have a business meeting, not an interview. Have a business meeting, not an interview. Have a business meeting, not an interview. Oh . . did I say that already?

Mindset: You are trouble shooting a potential contract. Yours.

I'd wish you luck but luck has nothing to do with this. It's all about professionalism and the ability to measure, adapt, and overcome on the spot. Let them see the natural passion in your eyes and body language, not from rehearsed corporate BS words.

I'll will wish you happiness with your new job. It's yours to loose, so don't. Simple.

Sorry for the length of this post. I have the passion for your success ! This is clear.

PetroPower,

After 30 years of this stuff with all of the Big Players and Owners around the world in the PetroChem & Power Generation Industries, I think I got them figured out.

After all, reading people has become my biggest asset, and I have to do it on that first phone contact.

Knowing how people think determines the approach that I need to take to achieve my client's desired results.

Since this company is one of 3 from SF, CA to Spain, the deal has to be really great.

If nothing else, it is a learning experience.

At 61, I can afford to be an old goat.

So, where did you find the goat????????

THIS IS GOOD SET OF ADVICE.

Can I add a few:

• Be a good listener-let him a long rope-to come out of the well or hang himself.
• Always sympathise with his genuine pleas for relaxation of something.But at the end sum up firmly to say"You need to deliver"
• Avoid the temptation of a free lunch.
• Keep an air around you to suggest "The Buck stops here".
• Spare no effort- after office if need be- to make everyone watching you(many will) see that you are doing your job effortlessly.

Best

MM

Since you mentioned your age, I'm 62 BTW, I will say again those HR people may have more input than you think.

Was going to reply to previous, but this post is fine.

I agree that the HR people have a lot of influence, really too much.

In the past, I have seen the new breed pass up the best because they didn't fit the mold or fall into the curve.

Sad, that the bean counters are still trying to take over the Technical side of business.

During an audit, I often find that HR and accounting have created the problems with their extremely narrow interpretation of Procedures, Quality, and Manufacturing.

Always trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

HR are a complete waste of space...have you ever known them to downsize their own department? But they sure as hell want to get rid of the tea lady....

As a junior I was told to go to Personel dept (now called HR) with any problems. So I went to them...next thing I know...I'm being told off for 'upsetting them' with my complaint! I soon learned to keep my mouth shut.

My first job, right out of high school, was in a foundry that made the huge rolls for the giant rolling mills of the day. (Almost all gone over here).

The Personnel Director was my grandfather's cousin.

I guess that everyone back then were proud mill hunkies and I didn't see much segregation between the ranks. Even the Pres would talk to a mill-worker and listen.

Well, Ole Ted the PD, was a miserable old soul and interviewed me between my 11th and 12th years of HS. More like told me that 3 weeks after graduation, I was to report to work, since my grandfather would be retiring in a year. We all know that system!

Miserable as Ted was, I haven't found anyone in HR who could shine his shoes.

In my 2 years there, I lived a most interesting life and picked up a wealth of experience and the desire to go further.

A few years after I left Ted had retired and was replaced by an HRD.

They immediately canned the Chief Metallurgist, who only had an 8th grade education, because he couldn't possibly know as much as a college grad.

Well, within 6 months, they called Stush back to straighten out the quality and get them back to producing good castings.

He came back and worked leading and teaching into his 70s, probably not demanding anything extra other than a small yearly raise.

HR never took the blame, as we have come to accept.

Handle yourself as you did in the interviews you passed, as far as "upgrade a bit" you should be asking them what their meaning is.....

As far as professional career counselors advice, that can be bad advice, there is a line of being dipolmatic and a boot licker, Don't sell yourself short. They want and expect a professional.

hey gagpipeman, The books I suggested are the whys, your an engineer you will discern the information and create your own hows.

You have the job if you desire it. (unless you blow the interview)

Are you the only candidate, or the most qualified? Doesn't matter. It's how you market yourself. You can already do the job.

I learned this the hard way. I scared more prospective bosses because I was over qualified or learned way to fast. They would have to work harder to stay ahead of me. I was clueless, had already owned my own companies. I even overheard my prospective boss's boss tell him to hire me and not get the job. Now I work for myself for other reasons.

Hind sight is always 20/20

So the real question is do you want the job?

Plan your interview. Set your minimums. Ask for the moon (you just may get it) but unless it's a package (take it or leave it) deal negotiate your terms.

As for the dress code, you are selling not engineering.

So engineer your sale, and if they don't meet your terms you have lost nothing. It s all about keeping your options open.

been on my soap box to long and getting dizzy.

Best of luck Brad.

And before you go in...check your fly !

And if they catch you with it down just tell them "boy scouts are always prepared" and continue with out missing a beat.

Brad

Is this company in western PA as well. The Midwest tends to be and to dress conservative. Not like the West Coast where, during an interview, they told me to nix the tie or they'd cut it off! If you've been contracting with these folks, surely you've spent some face time with them. How do they dress? During your interview, dress that way, plus a bit. Say they don't wear tie clips. You wear a nice tie clip - and cuff links. If they wear shorts and tees, you wear expensive khakis and a polo during the interview. You wanna look like one of them, but with class. You can dress down later, but don't come into the interview looking like Donald Trump if they're, say, software hackers who couldn't care less about what they look like and think suits are for aliens.

Two weeks ago I was recruited OOTB (out of the blue) for a very high profile job for the largest semicon machine tool mfg in the world.

I wrestled with similar questions. Particularly as I was not sure I wanted to return to the unpredictable semicon industry.

I wore pants and nice shoes with matching belt and pressed shirt, no tie.

I have tattoos that are 'corporate length' so sleeves were non-negotiable.

I felt that they would be served well to see me fairly presented. This is how I am dressing for work. I just feel that suit and tie is for a suit and tie job. Although I am in a corp. office it is not a suit and tie position or office.

And as stated by others, I was just as interested in assessing them as they were me.

I treated the interview as I do the job. I handle the conflicts (this is the core of the position- problem resolution) with respect and professionalism, regardless of the clothes I wear. I bathe well and often and own a razor.

And since it is a detail oriented job, I figured that they might realize the 'nice shoes' I was wearing cost about $200USD and had a pair of $30 socks in 'em.

cr3

p.s. I started my new job last Wednesday.

Thanks for reminding about the trousers Del, I almost forgot.

Dockers, Long Sleeve Shirt, and Boat Shoes.

I fit in well, handled the thing with characteristic aplomb (at least as far as some of the characters here go), and was deemed highly desirable.

The company is a ESOP and some perks offered were well above the norm and is taking me some time to digest.

Looks good, If we can come to terms on money, I might leave the ranks of consulting.

Thanks for all of the advice and support.