What to wear to a hiring session? « Railroad Jobs Forum

Railroad Jobs Forum » Railroad Jobs Forum

[closed]

What to wear to a hiring session?

(14 posts) (9 voices)

Started 3 months ago by waty19
Latest reply from Sean Martin

Tags:

interview dress

waty19
Member

What should I wear to a NS hiring session for a conductor position? I've read a multitude of things from dress slightly better than what the job requires to you can never be dressed nice enough. Since its a blue collar job I've read that a suit and tie is not required. I'm just asking others who have been to these hiring sessions what they have seen? I planned on wear a suit and tie in the first place but after thinking about it I don't know if I should.

I just don't want to walk in there with a nice suit, white shirt, tie and polished shoes and have them think this guy has no idea what this job is for. You get my drift.

Posted 3 months ago #
ALB
Moderator

Suits are not required, smart casual is good. Dress shoes, button down shirt, sports jacket and dockers, is a good way to go. There are lots of opinions on here but you will NEVER be rejected for over dressing!!!!!!

Posted 3 months ago #
johnnbea
Moderator

@ALB
VERY well put! You want to look your best! If you have a room of 100 people and they are all in jeans, sweat shirts, tees, and you are the ONE who is in a suit, who do you honestly think is going to stand out and be remembered. You only get one chance to make your first impression! Make it count!!!

Posted 3 months ago #
Sean Martin
Key Master

Copy what those two just said! lol

Posted 3 months ago #
Hrlydvdsn
Member

Casual Business!!! not too much, not a bum

Posted 2 months ago #
Hrlydvdsn
Member

No suit! Trust me 2 RR offers in 4 months

Posted 2 months ago #
mshaffer3371
Moderator

I wore a suit and was hired, I know for a fact Sean reccomends a suit during the interview session, get there very early also. We need more proffesionals on our line of work. If you are honest with your interview and tell them you are a hard worker and safety minded you will spark their attention.

Posted 2 months ago #
waty19
Member

I ended up wearing a suit and so did many others. I'd say 1/4 or less had suits, 1/2 were dressed casual.. khakis and a collared shirt, and the other 1/4 dressed like garbage. I didn't get an offer but if I did it again I'd still wear a suit. It shows respect for the job.

Posted 2 months ago #
johnnbea
Moderator

Great advice waty19. And I agree with you. There is no "requirement" to wear a suit, but it does indeed show respect for the job, and more importantly, it also show's the person conducting the interview, that you care enough about what THEY think, that you are willing to make the effort to make a good first impression! You only get that chance ONCE!!!

Posted 2 months ago #
hodgedad42
Member

Best: Medium to dark gray 2 or 3 button business suit, white shirt, conservative tie. Make sure belt and shoes match, preferably black. Dark socks, preferably black or dark gray. Shows you are serious, and want that job. You will stand out, and show respect for the job, even if that job's daily wear is grungy oil-stained jeans and T-shirt!

Minimum: Nice slacks, collared shirt, Blue blazer. (Tie if you have one, and it matches) shoes and belt brown or black, but should match.

My two pennies, but have been to many interviews, and did inteviews at a company most of the time I was there. Anything less than a suit, made me think they were not "all in". If you didnt have the minimum, person already had 1-2 strikes with me...

Posted 2 months ago #
b_bronov
Member

I went the sport goat route. Grey tweed sport coat, olive linen trousers and nice loafers. Not too dressy (dressier than the interviewers, though), but a step above 70% of the applicants. Maybe 4 or 5 out of 100 were in a full suit, and IMO, that was a bit of overkill. I've read that dressing one step above your position is desirable, but I think on our case that would be clean overalls vs. dirty overalls, so sport coat and creased trousers win the day. I think from a managers standpoint, I'd be slightly concerned at first sight of guy in a $1000.00 suit applying for what is basically a skilled labor position. Same token, a $79.99 clearance special suit would also set off the bells. Torn jeans and "Bass Pro Shop' tee shirt just tells me you don't give a crap enough to dress correctly for the job, and why should I even bother talking to you. All this, of course, is FIRST impression stuff. If you water their eyes with your perfect interview skills you're in anyway....but why fight an uphill battle?

Posted 2 months ago #
Sean Martin
Key Master

Long sleeve dress shirt, no tie and nice khaki's with brown dress shoes is business casual
which is perfect...

Posted 2 months ago #
ljones11
Member

yea for my NS interview last year, i did wear a nice shirt tie,etc. but if i get called again, i'm wearing a suit, lol

Posted 2 months ago #
Sean Martin
Key Master

I would not wear a suit..

Posted 2 months ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Topic Closed

This topic has been closed to new replies.