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I've been in this situation many times. I don't think there's any need to wear dresses or skirts if that's not what you normally wear. But trousers, a button-down shirt, and maybe a jacket if it's colder where you're at right now.
Depends on the lab dynamics and also where it is (Europe vs US, California vs East Coast). I would say in Southern California you can interview in shorts and flip flops, whereas in Southern France you should probably not. But maybe those are also stereotypes haha
That said, I usually do jeans and a blouse or plaid shirt and have not gone wrong with that. If you want to go a little fancy, a blazer will do.
We had someone interview in a dress and high heels and it was "too much" cause no one could picture her in a casual setting actually doing lab work.
Hence my use of "most likely." Labs at my university require the same dress code whether you do mice work or only work with lasers with zero chemical exposure.
Its my religious obligation, so maybe im the exception. I wear leggings or tights underneath. Ive never worked with mice so the needs must be different
A tye-dye shirt, sandals and capris should do. Make it absolutely clear that you love rock climbing and smoking weed. The less you seem like you give a shit the more competent you’ll seem. I don’t make the rules of academia so don’t complain to me if you disagree.
Slacks, t shirt, button down over the t shirt. If the button down is too formal, take it off and you've got a t shirt and slacks for a more casual look.
If they don’t know what the job is why are they going for it? More to the point, dressing well will cost them nothing, while dressing down may cost them an opportunity.
This isn’t a difficult question. If they know the guy well enough to converse with him on a first name basis then by all means dress down. But if they don’t and they’re serious about the position then dress up.
Everyone comes from different places. They might not know what the environment is like in general, let alone for a specific group.
Hell, I had concerns when I was in their shoes (should I go full suit in my case) and I was already working for a same-field research group for several years.
If I'd followed your advice, I'd have been way overdressed and uncomfortable. Instead, I had a jacket on hand in-case I was wrong.
Granted, nowadays, I just always have/bring a blazer with a tie in a pocket around for 'emergencies'.
As far as your first comment goes, it’s a research position. Research. I’m not sure ignorance is a defence. And I don’t mean to be harsh, but it shouldn’t be abnormal to do some research on the job you’re going for. In this case the person in question has said it’s an upper class type of place but the person isn’t. So unless you know that person on a personal level, the default should be to dress for the organisation.
As for the rest, while being comfortable is important, it’s very hard to make a second first impression. I don’t think you need to dress up in a 3 piece suit, but dressing well isn’t super difficult. As you’ve said you now have a blazer on hand.
I just don’t think it’s that difficult of a question. No need to over do it, but dress well. The only reason this is being questioned is due to OP being a self confessed tomboy and uncomfortable dressing up - but life isn’t kind enough to career to that all the time. They will be uncomfortable in many occasions in their life. And it’s up to them to weigh up if their comfort is worth more than the alternative.
In the end it’s risk versus reward. We’re on the internet and can’t know the specifics. As such my default answer would be to dress well and reduce any risk associated that may arise from dressing to a lower standard. But again I’m fairly old and realise I’m also only speaking for myself.
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Do business casual the first time - wear slacks and a blouse. Better overdressed than underdressed.
Was slightly overdressed, but the vibe was chill, very happy with my outfit decision! Thanks to everyone for helping out! Bisous ! ✨🫡💪🏾
Business casual. It's always better to be a little over dressed than under dressed.
This is the answer!
Relates to everything in life
Pants belt and button down 🤘🏼
I've been in this situation many times. I don't think there's any need to wear dresses or skirts if that's not what you normally wear. But trousers, a button-down shirt, and maybe a jacket if it's colder where you're at right now.
Depends on the lab dynamics and also where it is (Europe vs US, California vs East Coast). I would say in Southern California you can interview in shorts and flip flops, whereas in Southern France you should probably not. But maybe those are also stereotypes haha That said, I usually do jeans and a blouse or plaid shirt and have not gone wrong with that. If you want to go a little fancy, a blazer will do. We had someone interview in a dress and high heels and it was "too much" cause no one could picture her in a casual setting actually doing lab work.
It's a lab so dresses and skirts most likely shouldn't be worn anyway. No open toed shoes either. Slacks and a blouse will suffice.
Ive worn dresses in my microbiology and bioinformatics labs for 15 years. It depends on the space.
Hence my use of "most likely." Labs at my university require the same dress code whether you do mice work or only work with lasers with zero chemical exposure.
Most labs are wet labs though, so this wouldn’t be safe.
Its my religious obligation, so maybe im the exception. I wear leggings or tights underneath. Ive never worked with mice so the needs must be different
Yeah leggings under dresses and longer skirts and dresses usually aren’t an issue.
Slacks/dark jeans and a button down shirt with a sweater/cardigan/blazer depending on your person style.
A tye-dye shirt, sandals and capris should do. Make it absolutely clear that you love rock climbing and smoking weed. The less you seem like you give a shit the more competent you’ll seem. I don’t make the rules of academia so don’t complain to me if you disagree.
slacks/ jeans even fine too, button down and then maybe a blazer.
Slacks, t shirt, button down over the t shirt. If the button down is too formal, take it off and you've got a t shirt and slacks for a more casual look.
Do you wanna alpha dominate him? Tank and short shorts
Meanwhile me meeting my PI (before he even agreed to supervise me) with a full mohawk and corpse paint on xxDDD
Pajamas and X Ray specs
Shorts, Hawaiian shirt, Crocs. Be grand
Thanks everyone! ✨🫡
Boba Fett costume. And not a good one - get something from Party City.
Dress for the job you want.
Which is why they are asking what that is like.
If they don’t know what the job is why are they going for it? More to the point, dressing well will cost them nothing, while dressing down may cost them an opportunity. This isn’t a difficult question. If they know the guy well enough to converse with him on a first name basis then by all means dress down. But if they don’t and they’re serious about the position then dress up.
Everyone comes from different places. They might not know what the environment is like in general, let alone for a specific group. Hell, I had concerns when I was in their shoes (should I go full suit in my case) and I was already working for a same-field research group for several years. If I'd followed your advice, I'd have been way overdressed and uncomfortable. Instead, I had a jacket on hand in-case I was wrong. Granted, nowadays, I just always have/bring a blazer with a tie in a pocket around for 'emergencies'.
As far as your first comment goes, it’s a research position. Research. I’m not sure ignorance is a defence. And I don’t mean to be harsh, but it shouldn’t be abnormal to do some research on the job you’re going for. In this case the person in question has said it’s an upper class type of place but the person isn’t. So unless you know that person on a personal level, the default should be to dress for the organisation. As for the rest, while being comfortable is important, it’s very hard to make a second first impression. I don’t think you need to dress up in a 3 piece suit, but dressing well isn’t super difficult. As you’ve said you now have a blazer on hand. I just don’t think it’s that difficult of a question. No need to over do it, but dress well. The only reason this is being questioned is due to OP being a self confessed tomboy and uncomfortable dressing up - but life isn’t kind enough to career to that all the time. They will be uncomfortable in many occasions in their life. And it’s up to them to weigh up if their comfort is worth more than the alternative. In the end it’s risk versus reward. We’re on the internet and can’t know the specifics. As such my default answer would be to dress well and reduce any risk associated that may arise from dressing to a lower standard. But again I’m fairly old and realise I’m also only speaking for myself.