attire

[Truck74Hooligan]

I have a question and I was hoping for some help. I have worked for my dept. as a firefighter for seven years, I am currently testing for a promotion. This is the third time i have tested, last year I placed fifth. My only question right now is should I wear my class A to the interview? My station captain said I should wear it, yet I have been told to not wear it, any thoughts? Thank you

[CaptBob]

What you wear is the strongest non-verbal statement you can make and leaves a lasting impression. It’s time to step up and make the investment. You must look professional when you’re going for all the marbles. Check the job announcement for the appropriate attire. If it doesn’t cover attire, what is customary for your department? Class A uniform or a suit?

I went to an interview and all the candidates were in class A uniforms except one guy who wore an out of date brown sport coat. Replace anything that might look old, too small or worn out. Get a new white shirt and starch it no matter what the instructions say.

I’ve seen candidates show up wearing moth eaten multi-generational horse blanket uniform jackets trying to impress the panel. Please spare us this part. Leave the salt at home. Have the appropriate insignias and years of service bars in place. One candidate waited until the last minute and he stapled the service bars on. It showed. Be professional and look professional. One candidate had his silver captain’s wrist cuff emblems replaced with gold for a battalion chief’s test. Overconfident? It insulted the panel and the chief of the department.

Look in the mirror with your full battle dress in place before you leave the house. A candidate showed up for a test with his nametag hanging and wearing brown wing tip shoes. His mother would have never let him out of the house like that. Another candidate was baffled when one of the chiefs on his panel asked him how his class a jacket brass should look like until he remembered his wife had put them on. They were upside down.

I had a candidate tell me he went to an interview wearing a tie, suspenders and no jacket. I asked him, "Who did you think you were Larry King?" I asked him if they called him back for the Chief's interview? No. The defense rests.

If you’re going to wear a suit:

Men: Do wear a wool suit in dark blue or gray. Pinstripes are fine, but avoid brown, black, or high fashion brightly colored suits. Sport coats or blazers are out, so is polyester. Tie should be in a solid color such as navy, red, maroon, yellow stripe, or paisley print. Wear a white, off white, or pale blue long sleeved shirt in cotton or a cotton blend. Starch it no matter what the instructions say. No patterned shirts!

Don't: Wear casual or novelty watches, too much jewelry, monograms,
religious, political, or fraternity affiliation accessories. Beards are out; mustaches are a gray area. When in doubt, shave it off. Don't wear cell phones, pagers or any other electronic leases.

Let us know how you make out.

There is probably only 3 to 5 points separating the top candidates in the final scores. You can find out more on promotional interviews and assessment centers here: http://eatstress.com/promo.htm

"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"

Fire "Captain Bob"
www.eatstress.com

888-238-3959

[Truck74Hooligan]

There is no written or unwritten rule about what to wear. I have been to promotional tests with people wearing everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a class A uniform or Suit. I have never recieved any direction from the department or a chief officer about exactly what is appropriate for the interview. I think that since the interviewers tend to wear there class A or Class attire I should as well for reasons of respect and pride. I am still unsure even on the eve of the interview.

[CaptBob]

If it were me I would wear my Class A's!

Captain Bob
www.eatstress.com

[jwhite662]

My question to you would be- what did the previous successful candidates wear? In my department a suit is proper attire for such an interview.