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job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:43 pm
by avriette
anyone ever done it? the doha's are presentable, but the big ol' jacket is not, really. at least, not for the type of places i'd be looking to work. after the interview, because it's a different thing to show up in jeans and an armored jacket when you're "one of the staff."

suggestions? (no, "take the STI" is not a suggestion)

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:06 am
by snaab
I would avoid it, because no matter what the temperature may be, you arrive smelling of sweat. And think about your hair! Unless you've gone bald since the last time I was there, drive a car.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:45 am
by Mr Kleen
from the title of the thread I though the interview was ON the bike. :lol:

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:54 am
by complacent
Unless you've got a fieldsheer 1pc suit to go over your interview 2pc suit and enough storage on the bike to keep helmet and suit in side/tail bags... I'd say take the cage.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:17 pm
by avriette
kinda dismisses the whole notion of "if they can't take that i ride a bike maybe i don't want to work there."

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:19 pm
by chicken n waffles
i think it's a terrible idea unless you're interviewing at a bike shop.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:51 pm
by avriette
chicken n waffles wrote:i think it's a terrible idea unless you're interviewing at a bike shop.
i'm starting to think that it's a terrible idea to present a picture to the interviewers that doesn't represent who you are.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:20 pm
by chicken n waffles
i hear you, but cleaning up and looking professional for a job interview isn't going to hurt your chances. better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially if you're trying to impress someone that's going to be indirectly responsible for putting money in your pocket.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:27 pm
by Libra Monkee
Old saying: "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have."

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:52 pm
by avriette
chicken n waffles wrote:i hear you, but cleaning up and looking professional for a job interview isn't going to hurt your chances. better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially if you're trying to impress someone that's going to be indirectly responsible for putting money in your pocket.
Image

When I started the job I have now, for however long I still have it (I'm guessing weeks), I had a mess of facial hair and a goatee that was about 6". I wore a bandana to work, and didn't talk to people. I got my work done, but people expected me to be one thing because of how I looked.

Then I shaved and got my hair cut, not quite coincidentally after my boss was fired. My appearance changed dramatically, although in general my clothing did not. I still wore a polo and jeans and sneakers to the office. People were astounded that "underneath that guy" there was something worth paying attention to, despite the fact I'd fulfilled all my job responsibilities, treated everyone with respect, and could even be considered to have made friends with my coworkers.

But something changed when I changed my appearance. My job responsibilities increased dramatically. I got dinged for wearing jeans (vs slacks) to the office. I was expected to be a "responsible part of a team" and the like.

I'm still the same guy. I cut my hair because I got tired of dealing with the long hair, and I'd grown tired of the goatee, and really, I was ready to move on. But this simple change in appearance changed people's impression of me so much that I really couldn't go back to where I was without making people seriously uncomfortable.

If I'm going to lose my job in two weeks, I am not going out there looking for a job where people think that wearing cargo pants or armored jeans to work is a breach of office conduct. I guess I'll do what I do now, when I'm interviewing: just wear the normal clothes, with a polo, and ask if I can hang the jacket on a coat rack or something. I can leave the helmet locked to the seat. Stupid superficial society.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 7:55 pm
by avriette
just spoke to the guy i'm interviewing with first – said, hey, can i show up in armored pants and a polo for the interview? he said, "man, I interviewed in jeans and a sweater. no sweat."


and OT is paid. suh-weet! here's hoping. it's a 26 mile commute (arlington to, ahem "dulles area" - you know what i mean), but the pay is 2x what i'm making and that 80 hours of overtime in the last month or so would be $$$$. (i wish work.Current would either cut me a check or give me two weeks' comp; if they did, i'd take a four week, paid, vacation, and come back fresh as a daisy, ready to shovel shit again)

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:14 pm
by schvin
sounds good! crossing fingers for ya.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 9:24 pm
by complacent
schvin wrote:sounds good! crossing fingers for ya.
:plusone:

times eleventy. break a leg mang.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:06 am
by ElZorro
Good luck!

the commute out to Dulles isn't too bad, 66W is a PITA in the morning (slow and go after 7, stop and go after 8), but its really only a couple miles.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:10 am
by chicken n waffles
buena suerte and all that mess.

guess i'll be the last dcawd'er workin' in rosslyn :(.

Re: job interviews on bikes?

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:24 am
by Libra Monkee
Buono fortuna! *does voodoo dance to summon ancient spirits of money*