What you wear and how you present yourself in an interview is almost as important as what comes out of your mouth during the interview. But does the same hold true for automotive technicians looking for work? Yes. The general rule is to dress for a job that is two levels above the one you’re interviewing for.
One of the easiest ways to determine what you should wear to an interview is to make note of what the service manager of the repair shop wore when you picked up your application. This literally involves an ounce of effort and a moderately good mental camera on your part.
If you want a straight answer, you can always ask human resources or the unit manager how you should dress for your technician interview. Use your own judgment.
If it’s difficult to gage what it is you should wear, try an open collar, button-down shirt and pressed slacks. If your meeting is being held as the main office, include a tie or jacket, or both. Stick to dark-colored pants or jackets (blue, grey or black) with a white or blue dress shirt underneath. Oh, and make sure you wear dark socks and dress shoes. If you’re a female, plan to dress in a good pantsuit and blouse or a two-piece dress or business suite. Females should also stick to darker colors. Keep your heels limited to 1 to 2 inches and pull your hair back away from your face so you’re not constantly touching or playing with it. Also, keep jewelry to a minimum.
And this goes for ladies and men: Stay away from cologne or perfume – employers would rather smell nothing than be knocked to the ground by your overwhelming scent.
