job interview question

[Sensitive Topic]

I have an interview tomorrow morning and am not sure what to wear. The position is essentially social work (the technical title is "client advocate"). I would be working with social service clients as well as doing other duties like working a suicide hotline, running a children's art workshop, and assisting battered women. When I went into the office to apply and tour the facility initially I noted everyone was very casually dressed- jeans and khakis with sweaters or blouses. Do I go that casual or am I expect to "dress up" at a formal interview. I live in a very rough and tumble part of the world, so being too dressy would be seen as a bad thing, so I need a good balance.

Also, I know the position has already been vacated by the prior employee, so I imagine they will want someone to start quickly. If I were offered a position (NOT a foregone conclusion) what would be a reasonable amount of time to request before starting? My current job is an on-call type job that I can technically leave immediately, but I do have visitors coming shortly and have some other plans in place. Is 2 weeks too long of a gap, do you think?

I do not need health insurance, is it possible to barter that out in a city agency type position for something like vacation time or salary?

[Jill]

I have an interview tomorrow morning and am not sure what to wear. The position is essentially social work (the technical title is "client advocate"). I would be working with social service clients as well as doing other duties like working a suicide hotline, running a children's art workshop, and assisting battered women. When I went into the office to apply and tour the facility initially I noted everyone was very casually dressed- jeans and khakis with sweaters or blouses. Do I go that casual or am I expect to "dress up" at a formal interview. I live in a very rough and tumble part of the world, so being too dressy would be seen as a bad thing, so I need a good balance.

Also, I know the position has already been vacated by the prior employee, so I imagine they will want someone to start quickly. If I were offered a position (NOT a foregone conclusion) what would be a reasonable amount of time to request before starting? My current job is an on-call type job that I can technically leave immediately, but I do have visitors coming shortly and have some other plans in place. Is 2 weeks too long of a gap, do you think?

I do not need health insurance, is it possible to barter that out in a city agency type position for something like vacation time or salary?

IMO no matter what the environment of the workplace is, when you are interviewing you need to put forth the very best you. I would wear a suit or pantsuit, keep it classic and neat. I don't think a classic suit for a job interview would ever be viewed as too dressy.
I think they would be *expecting* two weeks notice since that's pretty standard so I wouldn't worry about that part, if they have a problem with it you'll need to wing it yk?

As far as negotiating about the health benefits, from what I know of city/gov't offices do not have the flexibility to barter that way but without knowing the particulars in your situation I can't really say for sure - I don't think it would hurt to ask though, yk?

Good luck!

[jerzymama]

I have an interview tomorrow morning and am not sure what to wear. The position is essentially social work (the technical title is "client advocate"). I would be working with social service clients as well as doing other duties like working a suicide hotline, running a children's art workshop, and assisting battered women. When I went into the office to apply and tour the facility initially I noted everyone was very casually dressed- jeans and khakis with sweaters or blouses. Do I go that casual or am I expect to "dress up" at a formal interview. I live in a very rough and tumble part of the world, so being too dressy would be seen as a bad thing, so I need a good balance.

Also, I know the position has already been vacated by the prior employee, so I imagine they will want someone to start quickly. If I were offered a position (NOT a foregone conclusion) what would be a reasonable amount of time to request before starting? My current job is an on-call type job that I can technically leave immediately, but I do have visitors coming shortly and have some other plans in place. Is 2 weeks too long of a gap, do you think?

I do not need health insurance, is it possible to barter that out in a city agency type position for something like vacation time or salary?.

I had the option of declining health benefits and taking an extra $1500.00 in year salary. It wasn't discussed until after I had accepted the position at the salary offered though.

As far as what to wear; I think you could very easily look professional by wearing either black or Khaki pants (ironed of course!!) with a cardigan or jacket and a regular button down shirt or blouse. Some simple jewelry and lipstick and I think that gives off a very professional but not trying too hard look. Details like making sure your shoes are shined and the heels are in good condition, clear nail polish, etc., I think these little things give an air of competence - y'know, you look and feel *put together*.

[ADDled]

IMO no matter what the environment of the workplace is, when you are interviewing you need to put forth the very best you. I would wear a suit or pantsuit, keep it classic and neat. I don't think a classic suit for a job interview would ever be viewed as too dressy.
I think they would be *expecting* two weeks notice since that's pretty standard so I wouldn't worry about that part, if they have a problem with it you'll need to wing it yk?

As far as negotiating about the health benefits, from what I know of city/gov't offices do not have the flexibility to barter that way but without knowing the particulars in your situation I can't really say for sure - I don't think it would hurt to ask though, yk?

Good luck!
I was coming here to say exactly what Jill said. Wear a suit. Something that makes you feel good and put together. Even someplace casual.

When I interviewed at age 16 for a job at McDonald's, I wore a suit. Mike has never had to wear a suit in his life except to officiate at my sister's wedding and to be a pall bearer at a couple funerals. Nonetheless, he wears them to job interviews for positions where he'd be wearing a chef jacket and baggy pants.

Even for very casual jobs, it's customary to wear a dark suit to interviews. I do not believe it can hurt you to be overdressed in a job interview situation. Even in social work, where you'd NEVER wear a job in the 'hood, it's still, IME, expected and accepted at the interview.

If they make you an offer, I'd take it home (in writing!) to think about it, and then counter with the salary-for-insurance thingy. Worst that can happen is they can say no, right?

And two weeks' notice is standard. If you tell them you can get away with less, they may not believe you (unless you have a good reason like being currently unemployed), and they may believe you're shorting your current employer, and that you would short them in the same situation. Saying you need two weeks' is a very good thing - it makes you look responsible.

[Sensitive Topic]

I was coming here to say exactly what Jill said. Wear a suit. Something that makes you feel good and put together. Even someplace casual.

When I interviewed at age 16 for a job at McDonald's, I wore a suit. Mike has never had to wear a suit in his life except to officiate at my sister's wedding and to be a pall bearer at a couple funerals. Nonetheless, he wears them to job interviews for positions where he'd be wearing a chef jacket and baggy pants.

Even for very casual jobs, it's customary to wear a dark suit to interviews. I do not believe it can hurt you to be overdressed in a job interview situation. Even in social work, where you'd NEVER wear a job in the 'hood, it's still, IME, expected and accepted at the interview.

If they make you an offer, I'd take it home (in writing!) to think about it, and then counter with the salary-for-insurance thingy. Worst that can happen is they can say no, right?

And two weeks' notice is standard. If you tell them you can get away with less, they may not believe you (unless you have a good reason like being currently unemployed), and they may believe you're shorting your current employer, and that you would short them in the same situation. Saying you need two weeks' is a very good thing - it makes you look responsible.


Thanks guys, a suit is not an option as I don't own one and there is for sure not one for sale anywhere in this town. Honestly it'd be REALLY weird if I wore one in this circumstance, so a suit is out. I do want to dress nicely though, you guys make a good point that it's still worthwhile to "dress up" to some degree, so I guess I'll just dig through boxes in the garage and look for some decent shoes to set it all off and go buy some clear nail polish to spiff up a little and go with black pants and a nice sweater.

It's good to hear that 2 weeks notice is appropriate to ask for! That makes my life much easier~!

[ADDled]

Thanks guys, a suit is not an option as I don't own one and there is for sure not one for sale anywhere in this town. Honestly it'd be REALLY weird if I wore one in this circumstance, so a suit is out. I do want to dress nicely though, you guys make a good point that it's still worthwhile to "dress up" to some degree, so I guess I'll just dig through boxes in the garage and look for some decent shoes to set it all off and go buy some clear nail polish to spiff up a little and go with black pants and a nice sweater.

It's good to hear that 2 weeks notice is appropriate to ask for! That makes my life much easier~!
Clothes are so hard! I've recently lost a lot of weight and none of my professional clothes fit me. They were seriously *hanging* on me - couldn't keep the pants up, looked really bad.

I'm lucky that I live in a larger town, so I've been able to pick up some things here and there. I have a really, really good tailor, and she's cheap. So I can hit Plato's Closet/Clothes Mentor for suits, pants, jackets, etc. and then get the pants or sleeves shortened for just a couple bucks at the tailor. I've also found some nice things at the thrift store.

I've found pants at the thrift store for a buck (nice ones--worthington, ann taylor, etc.) and then paid $6 to have them altered so they fit me appropriately. Pants are a little more at Plato's Closet or consignment - more like $8-$14, and suits are $12-$35, but still, so cheap to get an Ann Taylor suit for $20 and pay another $6 to get the pants altered!

Not as easy as dropping $200 at the mall for new clothes, but very effective in a pinch!

I'm sorry you live in smaller area - sounds like you don't have some of these options.

Do make sure you polish your shoes, and that your clothes are stain-free and neat and as dressed up as you can manage. If you can afford it, get a nice haircut/trim.

Good luck - keep us posted on how it goes!

[Sensitive Topic]

Interview over. It went pretty well, she has more interviews to do and will call with her decision next Monday or Tuesday. I don't think I bombed it, so if I am not offered the position I will be okay with that- it will because I wasn't qualified enough or didn't have any inside connections- which is infinitely better than feeling like I didn't get it because I just did a sucky interview.

I have a dilemma though. The job comes with 4 weeks paid vacation a yr, and they can generally be taken at any time as long as there is no conflict with other staff schedules- the only exception is the month of OCtober when all these events are planned for domestic abuse awareness month. Great. Except, I have this big expensive trip already set up for you guessed it... October! Ouch!! If I were offered the position I am considering telling her at that time there is an issue and explaining about this trip, to see if she is at all flexible about the October situation. In that case, it would start me off on an awkward foot at best and perhaps cost me the job at worst though. I could cancel the trip, but then there might be forfeiture of money plus my kids have been really stoked about this, and there is an extenuating circumstance where they won't see their father for 6 weeks and this would have involved letting them see him during that time period. In short, it'd be very painful!

Nothing can ever be easy, huh?

[ADDled]

Interview over. It went pretty well, she has more interviews to do and will call with her decision next Monday or Tuesday. I don't think I bombed it, so if I am not offered the position I will be okay with that- it will because I wasn't qualified enough or didn't have any inside connections- which is infinitely better than feeling like I didn't get it because I just did a sucky interview.

I have a dilemma though. The job comes with 4 weeks paid vacation a yr, and they can generally be taken at any time as long as there is no conflict with other staff schedules- the only exception is the month of OCtober when all these events are planned for domestic abuse awareness month. Great. Except, I have this big expensive trip already set up for you guessed it... October! Ouch!! If I were offered the position I am considering telling her at that time there is an issue and explaining about this trip, to see if she is at all flexible about the October situation. In that case, it would start me off on an awkward foot at best and perhaps cost me the job at worst though. I could cancel the trip, but then there might be forfeiture of money plus my kids have been really stoked about this, and there is an extenuating circumstance where they won't see their father for 6 weeks and this would have involved letting them see him during that time period. In short, it'd be very painful!

Nothing can ever be easy, huh?
That stinks about the trip - if you really want the job, though, I'd continue going for it and just cross your fingers something will come together/work out regarding the trip.

Don't forget to send a thank-you note for the interview. Right away - tomorrow morning first thing if possible!