AIBU I’m turning down this job offer?

[Whatwouldyoudo24]

Name change because this would be outing if you knew me!

I recently had a job interview and then the next day, a job offer.

During the call to offer me the job she said she had some feedback for me, and then proceeded to tell me I was dressed ‘very inappropriately for a job interview’. I was wearing a black flower skirt that is just above the knee, a mustard jumper that is high neck and very thick black tights with black flat shoes. I did have my green coat on for part of the tour as it was outside.

I don’t think it was inappropriate at all, it’s something I worn to work previously and have never had anyone say anything negative about it at all. Something about the phone call, the word inappropriate and my gut is making me feel uneasy about accepting the role now but I can’t tell if IABU?

It isn’t a suit industry, the interviewer was wearing black leggings, leather boots and a long top.

Am I being silly or maybe over sensitive? I’ve never been told I’ve dressed inappropriately for anything before so I might just not appreciate it, though usually I’m relatively good at accepting when I’ve made a mistake!

I would suggest getting back in touch and asking why it was inappropriate? Not smart enough, a skirt above the knee or what? Will the interview we your boss?

You’ve just had a preview of the company culture. It does not get better from there.

That would be enough to turn a job down for me. I’ve ignored red flags like that in the past and I’ve learned from them.

Did you ask what was inappropriate? It might be that it's fine for working there, but they were expecting more formal business clothing at interview?

A mustard jumper doesn't sound smart enough for a job interview, to be honest.

Do you really want to work for an organisation where you'll be criticised every day for what you're wearing, how you look etc? That saying about when someone shows you who they really are, pay attention, applies to companies and other organsations as well. Personally I'd run from this one.

Lots and lots of other jobs out there at the moment, depending what industry you're in...

I think the fact that she would tell you this when offering you the job is extremely odd. I wouldn't take the job. I have had alarm bells ring at interviews before and the one time I took the job in spite of my misgivings, I was very sorry I did.

Personally, I wouldn’t have worn a floral skirt and a jumper to an interview, it’s a bit too much in the casual end of the “smart casual” category and the old general rule of thumb is that regardless of the company everyday dress code you should aim to dress two notches more smartly than that for an interview.

You were offered the job so they clearly t to k you’re impressive so I’d just take the feedback as an indication that they’re forewarning you that there will be certain meetings and events where you might need to present a bit smarter.

The cheek of her. I wouldn't want to work for her.
I'd reject the job offer and tell her why

I did try to expand on it at the time and asked what about it was inappropriate but she just said ‘let’s not get bogged down by that sort of thing, the good news is we are still happy to offer you the job’

I think if she’d been in a full suit I may have felt underdressed, but she definitely wasn’t and I did my research before and feel very confident that my outfit wasn’t too casual. I did take a suit jacket just in case I was wrong but the other interviewees and the hiring manager were all dressed similar to myself so decided I didn’t need it.

Agree it seems odd to give you ‘feedback’ when she was making you the offer!
Is it a smartness thing? It doesn’t sound very smart - did you notice on the tour that others in the company/she was wearing more formal attire? Was she telling you because she’s hinting you should dress more formally when you start? Is it client facing?

Otherwise just plain weird and either way you have to decide if you still want to work that if that’s the culture.

It doesn't sound very interview appropriate from your description, but they clearly still want you so if you think the job would be good for you I wouldn't let it put me off! I think there's a difference in what I'd wear at an interview vs what I'd wear once in the position.

I think her response to the question is even more off-putting!

Sorry cross post

Regardless of whether you were too casual, it is an incredibly odd thing to mention when offering you the job. If you'll be working with this person I'd be wary.

OR tbe cheek of the OP not dressing suitably smartly for an interview

l did try to expand on it at the time and asked what about it was inappropriate but she just said ‘let’s not get bogged down by that sort of thing, the good news is we are still happy to offer you the job’

Ooo that makes it even worse to me, you've done this bad thing, but we won't tell you what, but look how nice we are still letting you in...

The fact she felt the need to mention it is weird and agree with PP a red flag. Don’t forget an interview is the chance for you to learn about the company and your line manager etc - they have to make you want to take the job if offered etc. Rightly or wrongly she may have felt it was a bit casual however was there really any need to mention it if they wanted to offer you the job? That seems a bit off to me and probably a hint at their future management style.

All the interviewer is saying surely is that aiP is the best candidate for the job but needs to up her sartorial standards

I don't think you have anything to lose by asking further questions about what exactly was inappropriate about it. If it turns out it was something you can understand and you like the job - then fine. But if you are considering turning it down then surely it's worth a conversation first? You mention a tour outside, was it perhaps they felt you weren't dress warmly or safely for on site work? (Just a suggestion).

So strange. If she had gone through the Dress Code Policy fair enough, so you know what to expect...but just to criticise when she was still offering the job? Ask for the Dress Code policy.

It doesn’t matter what the dress code is for the office, and what your interviewers are wearing (unless it’s fashion industry), you wear a suit or at least smart outfit plus suit jacket. It’s an interview, not a day in the office.

I conducted two interviews yesterday. The first wore a tracksuit with trainers and the second had a pair of ripped jeans, a crop top and trainers. I would love to see a candidate in a floral skirt and jumper!

@JackieDaytonaHumanBarTender oh I have a friend who always wears jeans to an interview! Says it’s ‘showcases who he is!’ I’ve never had an interview in an area I’d ever feel comfortable wearing jeans!

I would definitely want clarification about what dress code they are expecting before I accept the job. I agree with others that it sounds as though your outfit was possibly a little too casual, depending on your age, but if they can't articulate that, and can't articulate what they do want, I'd be very reluctant to accept. If they can give a clear answer, and it's something I feel I could accept working with (e.g. not having to buy a whole new wardrobe) then I'd consider accepting.

This person wanted to put you in your place. If you'd be working with her I'd skip it and find something else.