What to wear for a potential work experience pre-chat- Y10 boy?

[Erebus]

DS is making enquiries about his Y11 WE placement (next Sept) and has been asked to come into a local small engineering company for 'a chat'. What should he wear?

Chinos and collared shirt? 'Work' trousers and button up shirt? Tie?!

He's still 'boy' not 'man' as some 14 year old boys can be and not interested in fashion.

Help!

Chinos and collared shirt. If it is office based, look smart and make sure he has clean shoes. For a chat I think a tie is not necessary. A pullover or jacket would be ok. Navy chinos are best I think. I think a good, clean, appearance and a keenness to do well will go a long way.

I'd go for chinos and collared shirt as its an informal chat - def not tie!

Our school always recommends that DC wear their school uniform.

If it is on a school day (eg after school) I'd say deffo wear his uniform tbh. Otherwise, chinos and a shirt would be fine.

TBH I am a bit worried that DS1 will look rather childish in his uniform (of the white pole/black logo'ed sweatshirt variety) as he is smallish and slight. I wonder if he might look a bit more grown up in smart civvies?

I think non uniform is best then. Whatever makes him feel at ease and reasonably smart.

Erebus My DD had to go for an 'interview' for her year 10 work experience at a local primary school and wore her school uniform as we felt that was easier than worrying about what to wear.

I think smart civvies would be best if you are not happy with uniform - not a tie, I think that would be a bit much. Many companies now have a 'smart casual' dress code not requiring suits and ties so it is possible that the company your DS is going to will have this anyway. If not, then smart casual with clean shoes will be best.

Good luck - hope it goes well.

Thanks, all. When he gets in later he has to phone this bloke to arrange a time for the informal 'interview' .. We so hope he gets this as a) he does have some interest in civil engineering, b) it' sorted and c) it's very local seeing as I or he'll have to get himself there for 9am for a fortnight!

Erebus - great name btw. Makes me think of Scot and Shackleton and all. :)

DD has done all hers in uniform because she's either gone in lunch or straight after school.

Mind you she is a tall and grown up looking Y11.

I can see a small Y10 in a polo shirt type uniform (which is what DD wishes they had) feeling a bit young.

In all honesty it doesn't matter, people are either prepared to be helpful or they aren't. Some have the good manners just to say sorry, some give you the run around while they think of a feeble excuse.

Good luck

I was quite surprised that DD was expected to go for an interview but it was very informal when she got there. I think in work experience terms, if they are offering your DS an interview then they are likely to be happy to have him for his placement - no-one in DD's year were turned down at the interview stage. They are trying to make it feel like applying for a real job. One thing that did help though was thinking of a couple of questions DD could ask at the interview as it shows interest.

Just another thought - is the work experience organised through the school or do you have to organise it yourself? The reason I ask is that in year 10 when DD did hers, the primary school gave her a reference by answering questions supplied by her current school, as a matter of course. However, she is in year 13 now and organised independent work experience over last summer and getting a short reference out of them was like getting blood out of a stone. A reference is very valuable so I would advise your DS to keep nagging at them until you get one.

Hope his interview goes well.