Got this today from a frantic pigeon,
Here’s the scoop:
I’ll be flying in to [undisclosed location] this weekend for a final interview; a member of the search committee is planning to meet me at the airport and shuttle me to my hotel (at which point I’ll have the evening to myself……. PAR-TAY [just kidding]). So I need to look quasi-fabulous at the gate, right? But I also don’t want to overdo it, as I’ll only actually be seen by this individual for about 15 minutes.
Any shirt to be tucked in will inevitably appear frumpy post-flight. So do I don a sweater? Can I get away with nice jeans? Just for the flight?
But then for the interview/dinner the next day — what then?!!! A suit feels like total overkill. Do I go for a more subdued, professorial vibe? Bust out my grey tweedish sport coat? With chinos? Or slacks? Tie necessary, or can I get away with just a lightweight v-neck sweater?
Like, what communicates pastoral authority but also a penchant for original expression? Something that says I’m sophisticated and brainy, but not pompous? This congregation is kind of quirky but still pretty highbrow, so I need to toe a meticulous line. No pressure, eh?
HELP ME, PLEASE!!!!
I love my pigeons. They’re so funny and articulate! So here’s how I responded:
Congratulations on your interview!
To your question: you’ve got it, babe:
1. Fly in and arrive in your tweedy jacket, a button-down shirt and jeans. Your sports coat won’t get wrinkled in transit and you’ll be comfortable and sharp. Just make sure your shoes are neat and you’re not looking beat up. You need to be fresh as a little daisy when you shake that first hand.
2. For the interview and dinner, I honestly think you could do a suit, but only if you are comfortable being overdressed. I sort of love being overdressed for interviews. It’s like, “This is how I dress to meet super important people, and you [the committee] make the grade no matter what YOU’RE wearing.” Like, if I was meeting Ghandi and he was in his sheet and I was super fapitzed in a suit and heels, I’d feel like I was dressed appropriately to meet HIM. However, what really matters here is the setting. If you think you’re going to be spending hours on a folding chair in a basement (I did an interview in just that location once), don’t wear a suit because you’ll look and feel ridiculous IN THE SETTING. If you think you might be in a beautiful, formal church parlor and then going to dinner at a fairly nice place, wear a suit. You could also, if the schedule permits, wear a suit for the interview in the parlor and then change into chinos and a suit jacket for dinner.
If they don’t give you a break in the day between interview and dinner, please ask for one. You aren’t responsible for the kind of babbling you will start to do over dinner if you don’t get some time to clear your head and get some fresh air and a nap or a walk.
Given the specifics of what you’re named as your wardrobe, I would go with the tweedy grey jacket with slacks and a tie for the interview, and then with chinos and a lightweight V-neck sweater for dinner.
BAM!
This is why I get the big bucks, baby. [This is a joke. I get no bucks for this! – PB]
Hair? Grooming? make sure it’s all immaculate!
Let me know if this works for you.
MWAH! PB
*****
Our dear writer thought that I gave him perfect advice and confessed that I “rock his world.” My work here is done. Holla when you get the call, honey!