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Original poster

Is this how interviews/uni is?

39 replies

Amioutoftouch · 21/06/2024 13:20

Ok, so I'm probably going to be told I'm unreasonable and that's fine. I probably am!

2 weeks ago I went for an interview at a university. I already have 2 degrees but have always wanted to train as a therapist and applied to a university course to study Counselling (to get onto further study).

I'm in my thirties, so it's been a while since I was in uni. I think the issue may be me here...I dressed smart (not ott but smart as I wanted to look professional). I suppose I see this as me progressing my career as someone who is already a health professional (although in reality, the qualification level is lower but a different subject to what my Masters is in).

I turned up for the interview and half the group were in trainers, some in jeans. There was a man in a dress and another man in a crop vest top, mini skirt and a load of bright make up. Now I don't care if men wear skirts and dresses if that what they want to wear. I think my issue was just that nobody seemed to make an effort. As a woman I wouldn't have worn a crop top, mini skirt and bright make up...
I felt out of place and before having my individual interview, I just felt a bit put off.
I can't really explain why but this career path is a dream and I need to do this course or equivalent to do further study but it just didn't feel right. Everyone was lovely but I wondered what I walked into.

Is this how it is these days? I know it's a uni interview but it's for a professional course. Am I just out of touch and a bit snobby?

OP posts:
Sue152 · 21/06/2024 13:41

Slightly different but for all DS's degree apprenticeship interviews suits were the norm for the boys.
I would feel a bit like you OP - and I feel very strongly that people should be able to wear what they are comfortable in. But a vest crop top to an interview is a bit much. It may partly be down to the type of course, or they might have been told to wear whatever they are comfortable in if they asked - and then taken it way too literally. But I would feel, like you, that it gives the impression that it's a bit of a mickey mouse course and it would put me off.

Original poster
Amioutoftouch · 21/06/2024 13:40

@Hoppinggreen this was my thought. Absolutely fine to wear a skirt/dress but a crop top and mini skirt...

OP posts:
Original poster
Amioutoftouch · 21/06/2024 13:40

@burnoutbabe this is what I thought. I just had a blouse and skirt but not too OTT. He did seem keen on the course and from what he said (I've just realised this person may identify differeny, so apologies) really wanted a place.

@PossumintheHouse that's a fair point and I'm reflecting on this myself. I will say that I already work in a similar counselling style role and have worked with many diverse groups; including sex offenders, transgender, people with mental health issues. Nothing phases me and I'm generally very accepting.

I think it was just the vibe as a whole that made it seem less professional.

OP posts:
Original poster
Amioutoftouch · 21/06/2024 13:36

@KreedKafer yes I had considered this too. I may completely open minded generally and I do feel people should be themselves.

I suppose I just expected people to 'dress for the occasion'. For instance if a man wanted to dress in a skirt/dress then thats fine but maybe a smarter version. I just wouldn't have turned up in an outfit like that, regardless of gender.

Even when I went for undergraduate interviews, I made an effort. I suppose because this is a professional related course for older people, I had different expectations (maybe unfair).

@Overtheatlantic I did wonder...it was almost like some wanted to make a stand...

@mindutopia thank you for lecturers perspective, as I wondered if it was just me and maybe the interviewer had already seen several similarly dressed people!

I do appreciate that what someone is wearing won't impact their ability to do the course/level of intellect.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 21/06/2024 13:35

Overtheatlantic · 21/06/2024 13:30

I’m older than you and I would be thinking they were trying to make a point, a very political point. I would feel deeply uncomfortable about going on that course.

They were trying to provoke and make a point I would say.
Bloke in a smartish dress? Fine
Any sex in a mini skirt and crop top ? Not ok

PossumintheHouse · 21/06/2024 13:33

Well, the first thing you need to look at is your judgemental attitude. If that situation has 'put you off', you're really going to struggle in a therapist role.

burnoutbabe · 21/06/2024 13:32

I would expect people at an interview to be smartish? maybe not full suits but smart casual. making an effort.

dressing down like that (the men in crop tops) says "you will give me the place and i will report you for some disncrimination issue if you do not"?

unless they are being sent on the course as some form of work training so not one they particullary fussed if they get on or not?

Overtheatlantic · 21/06/2024 13:30

I’m older than you and I would be thinking they were trying to make a point, a very political point. I would feel deeply uncomfortable about going on that course.

mindutopia · 21/06/2024 13:29

I am a lecturer at a very ‘liberal’ university and no I’d say this definitely isn’t the norm at all. Jeans and trainers, yes, though I personally wouldn’t wear them on a day I had student contact (like standing in front of the room teaching, though some do). But for an interview, absolutely not. Everyone would always dress smartly and professionally. Definitely wouldn’t ever be anyone in a crop top of any sort. Was this the interview panel? I would actually wonder if it wasn’t part of the strategy to gauge how you might perform in unexpected situations where you need to manage your emotions and responses under pressure, which you’ll certainly have to do as a therapist.

Comefromaway · 21/06/2024 13:28

My son went for a uni interview dressed in jeans, t shirt and converse. My daughter didn;t have to interview for her course but if she had it could have been anything from lycra to a mini skirt or jeans.

Uni interviews are usually pretty casual.

BlueMum16 · 21/06/2024 13:25

DS has he had recently interviewed for med school. He dressed smartly.

KreedKafer · 21/06/2024 13:24

Judging people on their clothes doesn't bode well for a career as a therapist. You'll have to be a lot more open-minded.

Original poster
Amioutoftouch · 21/06/2024 13:24

That's a good question and I'm not sure. I suppose I the last time I went to uni and had a job interview people made an effort to look a bit smart/professional. To me I think it made me feel the course wasn't credible...I think. I can't really work out what my issue is. I think I'm also trying to understand why I don't want to do this course at this particular uni.

OP posts:
ThatTealViewer · 21/06/2024 13:22

Why is what people are wearing so important to you?

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