<p>Hey! I just managed to wrangle myself an alumni interview for Wes, and I have a burning question concerning how to dress for it.</p>
<p>In a college application book* I read that had an example of a student who's top choice college was Wesleyan, it was mentioned that at her Wesleyan interview she wasn't afraid to show who she was and dressed as she usually did-- with all her piercings and clothes that were "skate boarder chic and vintage casual." She did get accepted, but only by the the skin on her teeth-- but that's another unrelated story.</p>
<p>In any case, I've heard a great deal about what to wear to your college interviews and they usually don't include your body piercings and the such, which is where the question comes: I don't want to present myself at my interview as something I am not (that is, as some uncomfortably khaki-ed, buttoned-up and be-heeled version of myself). Yet, would it really be wise to dress up as I would for any other day, gaping gauges and varied piercings and all, in order to honestly and fully present myself as who I really am? I mean, reading something in a book is one thing, but actually going out there and doing it yourself can be quite daunting (and besides, I only get one shot). And yes, of course, I would be quite clean and modestly dressed. :)</p>
<p>I know the answer may seem quite simple right now, but there's an implication: my interviewer is an investment banker at this rather large and prosperous firm. Now, when I think investment bankers, I think of suits, ties, and uncomfortable khakis, buttons, and heels. </p>
<p>Help, please? Thanks. </p>
<p>*(The book is "Rock Hard Apps" by Catherine Cohen)</p>
<p>This is a difficult one to answer because I'm getting all sorts of mixed signals here. Your CC profile indicates you are located in Japan. Does that mean you are Japanese? Nonconformity brings up different issues for me when talking about an international versus an American. What may seem courageous in one context may just look merely rude and self-centered in another. </p>
<p>If the alum is an investment banker there's a good chance you will be visiting hir on hir turf; ze has clients; ze has colleagues; ze has a certain image to maintain. People may wonder, "Who is this crazy skateboarder so-and-so is bringing to the office?) Demonstrating an awareness of your environment is part of the interviewing process.</p>
<p>[Note: if you're wondering about the use of the pronouns "ze" and "hir", it's a sample of some peculiar Wespeak that I'm trying out for the first time. I may not be gettiing it just right.:p]</p>
<p>Nooo. I'm not Japanese, but I've lived in Japan for so darn long that yeah, I might as well be. And I'm pretty sure my interviewer isn't Japanese, either.</p>
<p>And good call, johnwesley-- my most recent e-mail from him said that he'd prefer a weekday for the interview probably in his part of Tokyo. Weekday = work day. His area of Tokyo = maybe office? area where people he knows will see him? Don't really know because I won't be getting another e-mail from him in a while due to his schedule, but I know the interview will be about three weeks from now. I just really want to make a good impression and not royally screw things up. Wesleyan is where I am aching and dying to go. </p>
<p>So, go with business casual, perhaps? But keep those gauges in, just cover with hair? I'm so panicked and worried about this that all the small details are well, huge.</p>
<p>Okay, NOW, I remember you. I can't believe it's been 100 posts since we first corresponded. :p</p>
<p>If business casz means slacks instead of jeans, I would say, yeah, go with that. I assume the hat means that you are female? And, I don't mean to imply that you are engaging in some sort of act of deceit; once you've signaled the proper level of respect for the occasion, a few sartorial bits of "who you are" would not be inappropriate (maybe even starting with the hat.) Perhaps, Americans are not that different from the Japanese after all. :p</p>
<p>Much thanks. And wow, it has been a while, yeah? </p>
<p>And hat? Where did that come from? But yes, I am female. </p>
<p>I really shouldn't worry so much about what to wear. Who I am should come through my words and thoughts, not as how I dress. I suppose that it's just that you can never be too careful. </p>
<p>And on the last statement, the older Japanese are a lot different than what we establish as American these days, but with the younger, more "westernized" crowd, the difference isn't all that much. :)</p>
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<p>And hat? Where did that come from?<</p>
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<p>You wrote, "just cover with <em>hair</em>?" My bad.</p>
<p>Actually, while we're still on the subject -- this is precisely the sort of conversation Wesleyan seniors go through every year -- on their way to job interviews. :D</p>
<p>Good practice for the future (that is, job interviews), then! Whoot.</p>