Dressing for an Interview 1

[purplemonkey]

Hey eng-tips,

So last I posted, I was very frustrated with my current employment situation and was thinking of leaving the company. Since then, I have been asked to attend an interview in the manufacturing engineering department of our company.

I work in the engineering department and our dress code is not regulated what so ever. Furthermore, as far as my supervisors are concerned, they are unaware of me seeking a placement within the manufacturing department. I usually wear jeans and a sweater or collard shirt to work.

Since I have an interview tomorrow morning in the manufacturing department I would like to make the best impression possible. The position itself is highly above my pay grade and technical background however I would still like to put my best foot forward (regardless of how little chance I have for landing the position).
How should I dress for this without raising too much suspicion within my own department?

I should also note that the manufacturing department is adjacent to the engineering department so the "go to the bathroom and change" trick wouldn't necessarily work for me here.

 

[looslib]

If the whole company is in a casual dress mode, don't over do it with a suit and tie. I am assuming that the dress code in manufacturng is similar to what you wear in engineering.

I would wear a nice pair of Dockers and a collared shirt, something a little nicer than normal, but nothing that would attract attention to what I was wearing.


"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

 

[MintJulep]

And maybe add a nice jacket over.

You can explain that away with a fictitious after work event if need be.

 

[SLTA]

yep. dress nicely, because you still want to make it clear you're serious. I actually pulled a "I have a funeral to go to" to explain the nice clothes.

good luck!

 

[dhengr]

Dress nicely, maybe just a little sharper, but in keeping with the company’s regular dress code, they know you’re coming from your dept., mid day. You must know what their dress code is, you said they were right down the hall. The most important thing to wear is your very best ‘thinking cap,’ and I don’t mean baseball cap on sideways, if you get my drift. Someone thought enough of you to ask you to come for the interview, so prepare a bit, and don’t downplay your chances. Think about why they might have asked you, and how you have interacted with them on different projects in a constructive way. What does your experience bring to their dept.?

 

[bigTomHanks]

I find that situation very strange considering that both departments are right next to each other in the same building. As far as dress, you should wear slacks and a button up dress shirt. It's not uncommon for an engineer to dress nicer on certain days due to a meeting with customer/vendor/manager. Someone may take a jab at your clothing and just let them know that someone from the manufacturing department requested to speak to you about an opportunity.

 

[jmw]

What is more important, the opportunity or what they think in your department?
In any case, it is never a bad idea to be seen to want to move ahead.
Don't be afraid to fail, just don't be afraid to try.

And your opportunity is likely an opportunity for some on in your department..... some companies seek always to recruit from outside and others are very strong on internal promotions.

Unless you have a real good reason to not want anyone to see you dressed up (a bit) and interviewing, your focus is on how you perform in the interview and not what everyone else is thinking.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[corus]

Don't suppose that your department will know nothing about your application, the other department will have told them from day one, and probably asked what you were like.

Moving from department to department within a company isn't seen as a bad thing but good for the company, and is sometimes encouraged. The experience you've previously gained, and knowledge of the internal workings of the company, will be of advantage to the new department, and the company as a whole.

It's a good career move to move about the company gaining experience as it can lead to promotion to much higher levels. Dress for the interview is immaterial. Smart casual I'd say.

 

[purplemonkey]

Thanks for all the input guys. I ended up wearing a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt. It's a big deviation from how I look like on a daily basis and I know it definitely hasn't gone unnoticed.

I think it's important to clarify that this position I've applied for wasn't posted internally at all. I just heard about it through word of mouth and applied. I believe I got the interview for the sake of "keeping up appearances" that the company is looking to promote from within.

In engineering, the progressive mindset is frowned upon (or at least that's the impression I've gotten, which is why I am looking to move) and so I highly doubt that my supervisors are in the least bit aware of my application.

Regardless of all these circumstances I plan on putting my best foot forward. My meeting has been moved till the afternoon anyway, which gives me some time to calm down and collect myself (I become a nervous wreck during the interview process!).

Thanks again everyone.

 

[monkeydog]

Interesting -

"In engineering, the progressive mindset is frowned upon (or at least that's the impression I've gotten, which is why I am looking to move) and so I highly doubt that my supervisors are in the least bit aware of my application."

If the mindset is among your peers - they can pound sand
If the mindset is among your leaders - run!

 

[purplemonkey]

Good advice. Precisely the reason I am looking to move. The value of an employees performance here is graded on the quantity of ECN's completed and not by the quality of the work included.

One of many stressors that prompts a move on my part. Ideally I would like to stay in engineering and get to a position where I am constantly proving my analytical abilities and engineering "prowess", however within our department, it will be ten years before I ever get the slightest opportunity in that respect. I think I would opt to do a medical degree before spending 10 years of my life drafting!

 

[TED7]

Whenever I had an interview, and came in to work dressed sharper than normal, I joked it off with "Job interview". No suspicions were aroused as far as I know. It probably helped somewhat that I was a sarcastic git as well.

Designer of machine tools - user of modified screws

 

[SLTA]

Well? How'd it go?

 

[purplemonkey]

Thanks for the responses however the company has let me down once again.

Myself and another individual (who sits behind me lol) were both asked to come in for an interview. Mine was an 9am. His was at 10am.

At 8:55am I leave to head to the conference room where my interview was to be held and walking there I see my interviewer(head of manufacturing) leaving his cubicle. I only assumed he was walking to the same place however when he saw me he said he was really busy and if we could reschedule for the afternoon. I of course said no problem and told him to give me a shout when he was ready for me.

9:45am rolls around and the guy who sits behind me heads for his interview and comes back after not finding him. I guess he gave a quick call to the head of manufacturing on his cell, and then headed down again for his interview which lasted half an hour.

Yesterday was a wash because I wasn't called in for the interview at all and I haven't received an email regarding it or any sort of notification.

I was very frustrated yesterday however I think this was what made up my mind that I need to leave this company. The disorganization and lack of common courtesy run very strong through all departments and enough is enough. My regret is that I've wasted 3 years on a company and I have even less technical knowledge than when I first started so finding another job is very difficult.

Wish me luck

 

[jmw]

The functional in the world of the dysfunctional.... is this an opportunity or a sign to get out?

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[LostHippie]

I'm in the same boat sir, working in a company who's view on the task at hand is "bleh" at most.

Thinking outside the box is discouraged, new ideas are discouraged, any type of change is highly discouraged. I feel like not only am I not getting paid enough for this job, but I'm also not gaining any useful experience or learning anything. I am desperately trying to get out as soon as possible. Good luck to you sir.

Peace,
LostHippie

 

[purplemonkey]

Friends,

I just wanted to give and update and ask for some urgent advice from you all:

After my ordeal with the interview process, I was instructed by my father to send an email to my interviewer and cc HR saying that I am available for an interview whenever they are free if they still wish to continue the process. This way, in the future, I have something in writing to prove my interest in moving forward.

After doing so, an interview was held immediately, and consequently I got the position of a "Process Engineer" however the salary increase was very low to say the least.

Here is where I need your advice. It was explained to me that because I come from a design background and have no previous experience with manufacturing, I will start off at the lower end of the grade. That is fair.

I was told they tend to start off at the 85th percentile so over time as I improve, I have the ability to gain 100% of that salary grade. Also fair.

The problem is this:

I started off at Salary A. Salary grade 5. Assume 85th percentile.
I increased to Salary B. Salary grade 7. Assume 85th percentile. However, my increase from A-B was only 10%. Jumping two grades by my calculations should have put me at an increase of 30%.

I have now been offered a Salary C. Salary grade unknown however assume 8. Assume 85th percentile.

The difference between B-C is only 3.5%. I think I deserve more however the offer was made in such a manner to imply there is no room for negotiation.

I don't want what happened as far as unfair compensation to occur again. How should I position myself to get more (within reason) without closing this door of opportunity?

Thanks everyone.

 

[Xera]

Do you know the ranges for each pay grade? For the companies I have seen, the ranges over lap greatly. Top of grade 5 could be well above 50% of grade 7.

 

[jpankask]

Salary grades always overlap. Your assumption of 85th percentile at salary B is probably not accurate. You are also assuming salary C is a higher salary grade than your current, also may not be accurate. A 3.5% increase for a lateral or single grade promotion is typical. There probably is not much room for negotiation, which is why people typically leave a company for large salary increases. If you're starting, basically, over again in manufacturing with no experience, you should have room for improvement of your salary as you increase your skills and value to the company. Not all companies see it this way though, unfortunately. If the new job is what you want to do, you can always ask HR what options you have, but you should probably just consider whether you're willing to move for the salary offered.

 

[DWHA]

Are you moving for money? Or for better conditions? Your initial statements were about the poor conditions, not poor pay. If you were looking for better pay, you will get better results by looking outside the company.