A Different Approach to IT Hiring
Posted June 25th, 2013
Many job seekers scour the Internet looking for the most valuable IT interviewing and job search advice. They sprinkle their resumes with keywords found in the job post. They research the company’s history, and investigate the hiring manager on LinkedIn. They fret for days over their appearance – trying to emulate the current employees’ appearance, mannerisms, and conversational style.
The issue of what to wear to an interview in the Bay Area can throw many people. Silicon Valley is well known throughout the country for its casual work attire. However, when you are job hunting, is it always best to mimic the clothing choices and appearance of the current employee pool?
The simple answer is that “it depends”. Some hiring managers, even if they have a “casual work environment” want to see candidates take it up a notch (so to speak). As anyone knows who has searched for a job, the process is a serious business. Many managers want to see a candidate dress professionally and present the best possible version of them.
On the other hand, some hiring managers simply do not put a lot of credence into appearance. They are fully able to look beyond the clothing and focus on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, achievements, education and work history.
So what is a job seeker to do?
- Emphasize what you bring to the table. No matter the hiring manager’s point of view on appearance, your ability to successfully manage the job is their number one priority.
- Go ahead and focus on your appearance. Even those hiring managers who claim not to care about appearance really do not care about appearances. So, if you arrive impeccably groomed and professional, it will not sway them either way. However, if you are not impeccably groomed and professional, and the interviewer does care, it is the end of your interview process.
- Focus on good manners, good grammar, proper spelling. Companies, regardless of their attitude towards interview attire desire top-notch employees – the smartest and the brightest, so to speak. One of the ways, an interviewer judges intellect is through good manners, good grammar and proper spelling. If you misuse supercede for supersede or tell the hiring manager “I done a real good job” or wipe your nose and then attempt to shake hands, you will not be perceived as the smartest and the brightest.
There is no way to know what type of hiring practice you are likely to come across as you enter a company’s campus for the first time. Mimicking the culture through the way you dress can backfire. You are not yet part of the company’s employee community, so do not dress like you are. You are a professional looking for a new job. Dress that part.
Professionalism in everything you do during the entire process will serve you well. Researching the company, being prepared with some well-thought out questions, locking in the fundamentals if you are expected to take a coding test, and well-thought-out follow-up emails are really the best methods to employ.
Remember, if you are a Bay Area resident and are looking for work in the IT sector; send your resume to Bayside Solutions. We look forward to hearing from you.
