Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To turn up in old car to posh place?

104 replies

Ribrabrob · 15/09/2020 14:59

I have an interview later at quite a high end health club type of place regularly frequented by millionaires. The job is a fairly basic admin type role.

I was planning to get the bus however this isn’t possible now so I’ll need to drive my car... a very old tired rusty KA which I just noticed has bird poo allllll over it Blush (not enough time to clean it). the job ad made a point of saying that appearance is very important.

I really do need some kind of job right now - would I be unreasonable to turn up in this car? Should I cancel? I feel embarrassed. One side of me thinks I shouldn’t be and that it’s just a car, but then the other side of me is unsure.

Just to note it’s gated and they will see my car on the camera at the gates.

OP posts:
HoldMyLobster · 15/09/2020 16:10

This is the most British thread on MN right now.

Love it.

DidoAtTheLido · 15/09/2020 16:12

Realistically how many people applying for this job will be driving shiny new BMWs?

If it makes you feel better it will take 10 mins to put it through a car was at a garage.

Heartlake · 15/09/2020 16:12

I get you OP.

If you can reasonably park walking distance away and this makes you feel better, then do so.

Otherwise go through one of those £5 hand carwashes and get it cleaned up. Tidy any crap from inside it.

I drive a 'nice' car for exactly the reasons you are anxious about. Clients (not my employer mind, I'm self-employed) definitely like to see what I'm driving. Some have actually commented on my cars. Absolutely true. I haven't anything really flashy, but always something smart and new-ish. It kind of goes with the role.

Good luck with the interview. If you're wearing a jacket then don't forget to take it off before you drive there!!

Please update us :-)

Mmn654123 · 15/09/2020 16:15

The self employed are a different matter - it's reassuring if they can afford a decent car as it suggest they won't disappear with your money or go bankrupt!

Heartlake · 15/09/2020 16:16

And to other PPs... having an ancient Volvo estate held together with gaffer tape, bailertwine and dog hair is very different from having an rusty Ford Focus held together with McDonalds wrappers - and you know it Grin

JustAPassingFashion · 15/09/2020 16:16

Good luck, OP!

Heartlake · 15/09/2020 16:17

@Mmn654123 you do have to be careful not to be TOO fancy though, or they may think you're overcharging!

AgeLikeWine · 15/09/2020 16:18

It’s fine to point out that Lord & Lady Oldmoney usually drive battered old cars, but their leisure pursuits generally involve guns, dogs, horses & mud, not expensive health clubs.

The car park of any such establishment is likely to be full of shiny new Range Rovers & Bentleys.

butterpuffed · 15/09/2020 16:18

I wouldn't want to work for any employer who judged me by the age/make of my car.

Theforest · 15/09/2020 16:19

In all my years of interviewing I have never once even looked at someone's car in the car park. Please don't worry unnecessarily

Good luck Smile

Spied · 15/09/2020 16:19

Well, tbh I'd ask a friend for a lift. Preferably one with a naice car.
Failing that I'd get a cab otherwise I'd spend the entire interview thinking they are thinking about my old banger.

augustusglupe · 15/09/2020 16:19

Definitely go in your car OP. Yes you want the job, but would you want to sell your soul to get it!? You sound great and if they honestly, in all seriousness, judged you on the car you drive!? Well, would you really want to work for them!?
Just go for it, head held high! Good luck!!

JinglingHellsBells · 15/09/2020 16:21

If you have time to spend online you have time to clean your car :)

CleverCatty · 15/09/2020 16:24

@JinglingHellsBells

If you have time to spend online you have time to clean your car :)
Yep.

For the sake of my worrying about it here I'd either run it through a car wash or give it a quick wash on the windscreen, you can park round the corner and walk too but I'd be concerned that somehow someone else would see the car (driving on their way out?!) and although they shouldn't judge how are you to know?

Also factoring in the rushing to the interview venue on foot after parking - it's quicker to quickly wash the windscreen. Good luck

SummerHouse · 15/09/2020 16:28

That's simply not true jingling

I have all the time in the world for Mumsnet today. Time to clean car: zero. Grin

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/09/2020 16:28

Ah I know how you feel! I never used to like driving my old banger to a swanky gym! I now have a slightly less old car but still feel like a bit of a sore thumb. Honestly though, no one will notice! If they do notice, they won't care.

lovemelongtime · 15/09/2020 16:31

If you got off mumsnet I am sure you would have 5 mins to stick it through a garage wash thing. :-)
Good luck

LastDaysOfSummer · 15/09/2020 16:45

No issue with the car - but definitely clean it!

Longdistance · 15/09/2020 16:49

All the other staff will be driving crappy cars. I wouldn’t worry about it.

timetest · 15/09/2020 16:55

I’m a bit on the posh side and drive an unbelievably mucky heap of a car.

reenon · 15/09/2020 16:57

it's not old.

it's a classic.

(well that's what my husband tells me)

DeRigueurMortis · 15/09/2020 16:57

I've hired hundreds of people over the years.

Not once have I ever looked in the car park to see what car they drive or how clean it is.

The only appearance that matters is yours in so far that you are clean, tidy and appropriately dressed (and on time).

I'd also agree with the comments that there are lots of people who drive old cars who could afford something high end and in reverse people who spend imho a ridiculous proportion of their income on a flash car.

Dablikeacrap · 15/09/2020 16:59

If you’re feeling extra self conscious can you not get a taxi?

Justaboy · 15/09/2020 17:07

Suppose i'm in the multi mill class but i've got the most dirty old car and its agin my religous belifes to clean it! I was clean once when i n bought t around 3 years ago:

Don't fret OP i'm sure that no one will even notice the Ka and won't expect you to turn up in anything too grande!

But do let us know if you got the job thats the important part!!!

TheCrunchTimes · 15/09/2020 17:09

For your own peace of mind... Clean it,it would make you feel better about yourself and you can forget about it during the interview.

The last thing you want is something pulling the rug under your feet just before your interview, be it a smirk of a parking attendant or your new colleague noticing it when they give you a tour of the facilities.

Unfortunately, this kind of job is all about keeping appearances. I bet that in any other job they may not care if a car is held together with scrunchies (once they know you are a millionaire or member of the landed gentry) but in this one, they may get concerned abut having a car parked there everyday covered in bird's poo.

At the end of the day, if you show like that for an interview for a job that requires good that says "appearance is very important" what can they expect once they secure the job?