White after labor day?

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Please do not hold job applicants accountable for regional beliefs on seasonal fashion that are not even upheld by everyone in that region. Also be cognizant of your cultural biases such as your use of the NPC recruitment analogy; and assuming not wearing certain fabrics is a universal rule across cultures within your region.

Networking and first impressions are valid and important. Just don't overdo it by being judgmental and petty based on nothing more than the color and fabric of an applicant's clothes. Not only may that applicant not subscribe to your cultural beliefs but that applicant may be making the best of a limited wardrobe. If the applicant has a good application, gives a firm and confident handshake, looks you in the eyes, and exudes knowledge and confidence during the interview, get over the seasonal fashion stuff.

Just of interest -- you seem to be imposing your own cultural biases on what is considered appropriate non-verbal communication during a job interview.

Not all cultures would consider a "firm and confident handshake" or direct eye contact with the interviewer either appropriate or polite.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

Not all cultures would consider a "firm and confident handshake" or direct eye contact with the interviewer either appropriate or polite.

Corporate America does and Heartofheart is typing about corporate America.

I know all about cultural variation. I also spend time with people from cultures that either do not subscribe to or do not teach about giving handshakes and eye contact. People across cultures who enter the job market can learn what particular cultures expect in terms of overall attire and proper verbal and nonverbal communication. People across cultures can learn whether a particular cultural environment expects them to wear button up shirts and give a non-sweaty, solid handshake. However, learning attire and communication often does not include learning varying perspectives on which colors and fabrics to wear in certain seasons. Give people a break.

[Hartofsec]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I know all about cultural variation.

Oh okay.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

People across cultures who enter the job market can learn what particular cultures expect in terms of overall attire and proper verbal and nonverbal communication. People across cultures can learn whether a particular cultural environment expects them to wear button up shirts and give a non-sweaty, solid handshake. However, learning attire and communication often does not include learning varying perspectives on which colors and fabrics to wear in certain seasons. Give people a break.

I don't see how this is so very different from your examples, as with the button-up shirts.

IMO, it is probably a good idea to observe what is customary in the culture or region -- or in the case of recruitment, campus. Preferably on the front end, unless one is more concerned with making a statement about their own wardrobe rules than improving their prospects for the job or party invitation.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Hartofsec

I don't see how this is so very different from your examples, as with the button-up shirts.

It is different.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Please do not hold job applicants accountable for regional beliefs on seasonal fashion that are not even upheld by everyone in that region. Also be cognizant of your cultural biases such as your use of the NPC recruitment analogy; and assuming not wearing certain fabrics is a universal rule across cultures within your region.

Networking and first impressions are valid and important. Just don't overdo it by being judgmental and petty based on nothing more than the color and fabric of an applicant's clothes. Not only may that applicant not subscribe to your cultural beliefs but that applicant may be making the best of a limited wardrobe. If the applicant has a good application, gives a firm and confident handshake, looks you in the eyes, and exudes knowledge and confidence during the interview, get over the seasonal fashion stuff.

All of this x 10.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

All of this x 10.

All of our posts are about cultural and learned behaviors. The issue some of us have with Heartofheart's posts is adding additional cultural biases to an already cultured and biased process. A well-educated and highly accomplished person who is an otherwise strong applicant should not be denied solely based on wearing a clothing item "out-of-season". Interviewers go based on level of comfort with applicants but Heartofheart is extending seasonal fashion to mean a person is not properly-cultured, not well-informed, ill-equipped, and possibly does not take her/his career seriously. Seasonal fashion is the least of these indicators.

[Hearttoheart]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

All of our posts are about cultural and learned behaviors. The issue some of us have with Heartofheart's posts is adding additional cultural biases to an already cultured and biased process. A well-educated and highly accomplished person who is an otherwise strong applicant should not be denied solely based on wearing a clothing item "out-of-season". Interviewers go based on level of comfort with applicants but Heartofheart is extending seasonal fashion to mean a person is not properly-cultured, not well-informed, ill-equipped, and possibly does not take her/his career seriously. Seasonal fashion is the least of these indicators.

Don't shoot the messenger. The point I was trying to make was that in job interviews AND sorority recruitment what you wear makes a difference. When looking at two equal applicants, the one I perceive to be better put together will get the job. Don't kid yourself into believing that sorority girls aren't judging PNM's when they walk into a room. I'm not judging the girls, or the boys for that matter, on how expensive or non-expensive their clothes are, I'm looking for professionalism! White shoes after Labor Day is a dead giveaway that an applicant doesn't understand the importance of fashion in the work place.

Don't get me wrong, a computer programmer who will sit in front of a computer all day will be given slack. A sales manager who will be a public spokesman for the company is held to a different standard. You have to dress the part!

[AZTheta]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

All of our posts are about cultural and learned behaviors. The issue some of us have with Heartofheart's posts is adding additional cultural biases to an already cultured and biased process. A well-educated and highly accomplished person who is an otherwise strong applicant should not be denied solely based on wearing a clothing item "out-of-season". Interviewers go based on level of comfort with applicants but Heartofheart is extending seasonal fashion to mean a person is not properly-cultured, not well-informed, ill-equipped, and possibly does not take her/his career seriously. Seasonal fashion is the least of these indicators.

And that, friends, should end this thread. No more needs saying.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by AZTheta

And that, friends, should end this thread. No more needs saying.

Not so soon. The people on the "other side" of this thread see the (un)acceptability of certain colors and fabrics as the same kind of culture and learned behavior as anything else. I completely disagree but see where they are coming from.

As far as I'm concerned, it is one thing to frown at someone's fashion choice for wearing a color or fabric "out-of-season". It is another thing to make assumptions regarding that person's accomplishments, overall preparedness, and not hire the person. It is a big deal for some people to learn what certain cultures consider "business attire" or "business etiquette." I don't think people should also have to care that some job interviewers may be playing Fashion Police () and view certain colors and fabrics as "out of season." Especially since not everyone in that region or in that job sector believes certain colors and fabrics are "out of season".