How about for males? I figured full suit, but the letter says business casual. DS is thinking suit but w no tie. ??
I worked for a national men's clothier company. Business casual is not a suit with no tie. Sports coat, khakis and open button TAB collared shirt would be what we would sell them at the very high end.
~ FYI, button tab means the shirts have those tiny buttons on the collar. The collar sits up straighter around the neck more than a traditional point/spread collar shirt. Another option would be shirt, tie and khakis. We live in the NoVA area, so business casual impo is more dressed up than let's say NC.
~~ Our DS interviewed in NC. He wore Sunday best. Button down shirt, khakis and loafers, but no tie. He got all 3 noms.
I do agree that this is the 1st impression, but I think sometimes people also lose sight of the bigger things.
1. There are kids that can't afford a suit. The committee understands this aspect and although they may not know their financial background, as long as they followed the rule "business casual" they won't hold it against them for not wearing a suit.
~ As like with the females, if you are going the suit route, make sure you sit in at home a few nights before. As I stated I worked for a men's clothier...I can't tell you how many times I have swatted even 40 yr old men as they kept buttoning the bottom button of the coat. 18 yr old kids have to constantly be told NO. On top of that the majority are not accustom to sitting in a coat. They forget to unbutton the jacket, they tend to sit on the tail of the coat.
~~Now imagine you buy them their 1st suit. They are nervous, walk in with the jacket buttoned, and sits down on the tail. They are too shy/nervous to unbutton the jacket as they are sitting or shift to get off the tail of the coat. They will not be able to concentrate on the questions because the jacket is bothering them too much.
Hence, for both reasons, the board wants them to feel comfortable so they can give their best.
No flaming, if your kid wants to wear his suit or ROTC uniform go for it, but don't assume that impo it will give them an edge.
OBTW last tip from my work world...WEAR an undershirt. Undershirts exist for 2 reasons. First, white dress shirts can be sheer. Second, undershirts exist to be a barrier for sweat, you don't need sweat rings when you walk in. Additionally if you wear a coat, the interior lining is typically silk or rayon...sweat on silk or rayon equates to stink later on!
2. Control what you can
~ Guys, just like girls when you shake our hands the first thing we really notice will be your fingernails. Keep them clean and short. Unless, you can say immediately to them, forgive me for my fingernails, it is oil...my Dad and I are rebuilding a 1972 Ford Mustang and we just got the replacement carburetor yesterday, and replaced it this a.m. before coming here, than your nails should be pristine.
~ You do not need to shave your head. My DS had a lot of hair, just below the top of his collar. However, make sure it is manageable. Like females, if you are constantly sweeping it away from your face, than cut it, because it is a distraction at an interview. All I will remember is, oh, yeah I remember now, that's the kid that kept sweeping the hair away from his eyes. IOWS, they remembered you not at first because of your interview, but messing with your hair.
~ SHOES! That is a 1st impression too.
~~ Polish them including the heels. Nothing is more distracting to an eye as they cross their leg across the knee to see shoes that are scuffed and battered on the toes/sides especially against everything else that is perfect. Are you saying you didn't have the time to spend 10 mins to wax the shoes?
~~ Make sure they fit properly. Many boys are not accustomed to wearing dress shoes and that is like wearing a new suit on the day of the interview. Their mind is on OMG my feet are killing me bc I have been wearing them since we left home 3 hrs ago.
Finally, as someone that has sold many times to MoC candidates for the interview, if your child wears blue, or light/mid grey and wants brown shoes let them get them. Black shoes are now for black suits only, and that is even not tried and true anymore. My DH is in his 50s, now at the National Defense University(NDU), prior at the Pentagon, wears brown shoes with every suit, but his black suit. It is stylish and professional. This is also true for his peers at the NDU. The candidate is 17 or 18 not 70. JMPO as someone in the men's industry.
Good luck
