to wear a suit to go and register with an employment agency?

[bubbleOseven]

Today I did my hair and make up, put a skirt and matching jacket on and went to register with a recruitment agency that advertised a job i was interested in.

When I was in there filling in forms and waiting, there were 6 other people in their all in jeans jumpers and flat boots. One man even had a really dirty winter jacket on.

I thought you had to treat it like a proper interview. AIBU and hopelessly old-fashioned?

Some agencies do multiple things, office jobs, labouring, catering etc so obviously suit not appropriate for the latter but is the former.

Good luck!

I don't know what the norm is, but if they have a job you want and that is what you would wear to interview, then i would say it would do no harm and the agency will treat you more seriously and recommend you.
I would probably do the same. But then we have agencies who specialise in what i do so it probably would be the norm for me

it was office recruitment only

There may have been people there that had no interest in getting a job and were only there to make sure they keep getting JSA.

Just saying, before I get flamed. It does happen.

then yes, you did the right thing :-) I am stunned the others didn't do the same!

YANBU I am now in HR but was in recruitment several years back. First impressions count so if you want to be taken seriously then dress as if you mean business. There are obviously some roles where it isn't so important and sometimes people come in off the street in response to ads they see in the window, but in the main I would be much more confident about putting someone through for interview ( provided they had the right skills of course) if they made the effort to dress smartly - like it or not those non verbal signals do count and make a difference.

totally agree with Rudolphsmum,first impressions do have an impact and you dressed for the kind of work you are looking for good luck with it.

I would go to an agency dressed as I would to an interview as well, if you don't look the part and make a good impression they probabaly won't be as included to put you forward for the best positions, I think you did the right thing :)

I wouldn't dress up to go into a recruitment agency. I have worked in recruitment before, and without meaning to be harsh if I'm going in to enquire about a job I know I can do, and do well then I'm not too fussed if the girl giving me the details and setting up the interview thinks my dress is smart enough.

Many people see the adverts in the window and pop in when they are just passing.. generally they would be dressed in every day clothes.

You are right..........
At all interviews you must be properly presented.

Agency staff members are your first step to making that impression that gets your foot across the threshold of a suitable company.

I say if the position you apply for requires you to have a suit and jacket and heels etc. then wear similar to the interview.

I do think if a builder walked into an agency in a suit and tie I might believe this was a bit over the top. I would expect a tradesman for instance to be in smart casual wear, no jeans or trainers and a decent hair cut etc.

Grooming is very important. Neat, clean and tidy.

Some people dont see the agency bit as part of a real interview, which is rather stupid really. Admittedly if you walk in off the street on the offchance, then its slightly more acceptable to be dressed in scruffy clothes and be clutching a greggs pasty or smell of cig smoke... but if it is a pre-arranged appointment, its better if you look a bit more polished than a bag lady.

The agency will take into account your appearance when sending a temp out to a client, as that temp reflects on them as a professional agency. Although there are some agencies which dont bother with this, and they are the ones which dont get as much work.

There is no need to dress over the top, but looking smart and presentable will certainly give you a head start over the other candidates.

Put yourself in the place of the Agency staff member for a minute........you have a well respected client looking for a PA, retial assistant or janitor. To inpress your client and retian their business you'll send the best candidate for the job.

It works like this..........The Agency staff member earns a living from fees paid by their clients (potential employers to you and me) and in order for them to rise above the thousands of other Agencies they must send good calibre staff.

It's a round-a-bout of people all performing to keep on top. If you happen to go into the Agency smelling of fish and chips, cigarette smoke or BO they will presume you will present yourself like this for the interview and later for work.

Ask yourself as the Agency staff member.....would you put your salary from hard to keep clients on the line for a sloppy Joe or Joan looking half-heartedly for a job. No, of course they won't.

The Agency staff will pass you over till the right person walks through the door. The Agency is likely to get a bad name from just one badly presented potential employee.

Believe me when I tell you, they won't take a chance.