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PDX interview question

mangus_m

what's the accepted interview uniform in Portland?
Full suit? all-black sprockets outfit? flannel & gore-tex?

joking aside, i've got an interview later this week and wanted to bounce this off the portland folk that peruse this board. i've always worn a suit in the past for jobs out on the east coast, but pdx seems so much more relaxed in so many ways that i'm afraid i'll just be screaming "out-of-towner" if i show up all spiffy.

tia.
.mango out.

 
Nov 16, 04 5:27 pm
sameolddoctor

idio *

Nov 16, 04 6:07 pm  · 
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mangus_m

que?

Nov 16, 04 7:21 pm  · 
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pencrush

I've worn a tie before, but I felt overdressed. I think slacks and a button down shirt, maybe a sweater depending on your preference (I am assuming you are male) should be fine. I think most firms in town, even the larger corporate types are fine with "dressy casual" for an interview. If it's a smaller firm, I'd definitely go more casual.

I've always heard as a good rule of thumb, to be dressed as nice or slightly nicer than your interviewer. Very few people in the portland architecture community wear ties unless they are going to a formal presentation or client meeting..

that's my experience anyway.

Nov 16, 04 8:25 pm  · 
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alphanumericcha

full tux. make an impression.

oh - and watch the .mango out business. That dog won't hunt.

Nov 16, 04 8:32 pm  · 
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melvin

just wear the suit. it's a safe bet and there's plenty of conservatives in this architecture crowd.

if you've met the person before or know someone who has, then you'd be safe to dress down.

a nice suit.....not too stiff though....is a always a safe bet

Nov 16, 04 8:35 pm  · 
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e

i agree with pencrush. while i have not worked/lived in portland, i have been on both sides of it >> san francisco and seattle. wearing a tie might be a little too much. you should look good and most importantly, don't be something you're not. i've never worn a tie and that has never hurt me.

Nov 16, 04 8:45 pm  · 
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iZNOF

What firm is the interview at?

Nov 16, 04 9:02 pm  · 
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o+

..you have to dress to the firm. a starchitect i used to work for said after interviewing a guy .. " wow, a suit. i'd never hire a guy in a suit."

rule of thumb, though, whether its corporate=suit, boutique=prada, or whatever, stick to dark grey or black.

Nov 17, 04 10:37 pm  · 
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e

o+, while i understand that you may not get the job if you don't fit in, you should still be true to who you are and not become something you are not. like i said, i've never worn a suit and it never hurt me. i've worked a full range of places from the corporate >> polshek, nbbj to boutiques >> paulett taggart architects to the inbetween >> frog design.

in bruce mau's incomplete manifesto for growth [which is great if you haven't read it, he says in point 14 >> don't be cool. cool is conservative fear dressed in black. free yourself from limits of this sort.

Nov 18, 04 4:08 pm  · 
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