What to wear for a Congressional Interview
- Thread starter Waffles
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I've done many many Congressional/Senatorial interviews. If you are at the Prep School or currently enlisted, wear your uniform. If you're JROTC or CAP, I recommend not wearing the uniform as they are often not perfectly sized/tailored, etc. If you're going to wear a uniform, it has to be clean, pressed and worn correctly.
How much would it hurt you if you wore a clean dress plain flannel?
Did you?
Yup
Well I mean your answers and personality were probably the biggest deciding factors, so it couldn't have hurt you too much. I was told that wearing a sleevless dress is seen as unprofessional, however if it wasn't sleeveless then you're probably fine. Also, they know that not everyone has done interviews before so they probably have some grace for us in terms of what counts as formal clothes.
Thanks for some comfort, I saw many kids in ties and honestly they were much messier than me because of them not knowing how to properly iron a shirt and tie a tie.
Just now realized what you meant by "clean dress". My bad, I thought at first you meant an actual dress. Still, I hope it doesn't impact your chances too much, though I know very little about what's considered formal for males.
I was on a panel yesterday. Every young man, but one, was in at least a shirt, tie and khakis. Most were in suits or coat/tie. We had one young man who wore khakis, a very loud button down and very loud vans. He was also pretty wrinkled. Trust me, it was noted.
MOC panels understand not every kid has the means for a tailored suit. If you don’t already have at least a pair of khakis, button down, tie and leather shoes... check out your local goodwill or talk with friends to see if you can borrow. Slacks, shirt, tie and coat if possible. Also, if your khakis are super skinny, find some that aren’t. Ensure everything is washed, clean, pressed, and polished. Take a shower, shave, brush your hair.
MOC panels understand not every kid has the means for a tailored suit. If you don’t already have at least a pair of khakis, button down, tie and leather shoes... check out your local goodwill or talk with friends to see if you can borrow. Slacks, shirt, tie and coat if possible. Also, if your khakis are super skinny, find some that aren’t. Ensure everything is washed, clean, pressed, and polished. Take a shower, shave, brush your hair.
2018DAD
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Hoops, Great advice. I really hope these candidates realize that one of the core items of this journey is ATTENTION TO DETAIL!
I agree, GOODWILL has excellent selections my #2 son called it the GW Haberdashery when he was at USAFA. So there should be no excuse to not look your best, not so much a put-on, but it communicates that you understand the gravity of the interview, the possible resulting recommendation, and ultimately success in appointment, graduation, commissioning and active duty. Knowing that this entire application journey is so competitive why would you leave any points on the table.
Side story: #1 DS was a skilled position player as a kicker/punter. Every college recruiting visit he wore khakis, dress shirt, tie and blue Blazer. To say he stood out amongst the flip-flop/shorts/unkempt was an understatement, but when he made his follow up call EVERY coach remembered him. He understood that making the impression that he was 'together' and serious was such a benefit.
Candidates, remember, you are not ordering take-out....show that attention to detail and making that oh so important 1st impression.
PS Watch Gen Mark Welsh's talks at USAFA and his emphasis on ATTENTION TO DETAIL...he puts it out there in no uncertain terms!
I agree, GOODWILL has excellent selections my #2 son called it the GW Haberdashery when he was at USAFA. So there should be no excuse to not look your best, not so much a put-on, but it communicates that you understand the gravity of the interview, the possible resulting recommendation, and ultimately success in appointment, graduation, commissioning and active duty. Knowing that this entire application journey is so competitive why would you leave any points on the table.
Side story: #1 DS was a skilled position player as a kicker/punter. Every college recruiting visit he wore khakis, dress shirt, tie and blue Blazer. To say he stood out amongst the flip-flop/shorts/unkempt was an understatement, but when he made his follow up call EVERY coach remembered him. He understood that making the impression that he was 'together' and serious was such a benefit.
Candidates, remember, you are not ordering take-out....show that attention to detail and making that oh so important 1st impression.
PS Watch Gen Mark Welsh's talks at USAFA and his emphasis on ATTENTION TO DETAIL...he puts it out there in no uncertain terms!
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The Dude abides.
I mean this is basically me on Zoom calls all day. But I did go to the office last week and remembered to wear pants...
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My husband just laughs. My Zoom uni is nice blazer, crisp white or pinstripe collared shirt, hair clipped up, make-up (never that heavy anyway, but some things are frightening in HD), and a pair of Adidas gym pants and LL Bean slip-ons. Then I carefully swap out the top half for the work out gear. Now, if I just had one of those exercise bike work stations...
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Teaching my online class at our flagship state university, I wear a polo shirt and blue blazer up top. Down low, I go with casual pants and sandals. I do my lectures standing up, as if I was in the classroom, with the laptop camera trained only on my torso. (I’d go barefoot if I could, but flat feet makes standing for a long time a bit uncomfortable.) I feel completely dorky, but on camera it’s a pretty good look. 
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Also, in addition to Goodwill, kids can check out Amazon. Last cycle, we knew our son would be doing interviews for NROTC as well as hopefully, MOC's, and scholarships. He checked and found a surprisingly nice 3 piece suit from Amazon. I was skeptical but it fit incredibly well and felt like it was expensive. Free shipping, 3 pieces, $99.00. He was complimented on it at each and every interview. A well tied tie, shined but not glossy shoes, brushed teeth, Chapstick and unscented deodorant and he was good to go.
The price has gone up slightly, and the pattern in the fabric is barely discernable in person, the image makes it look busy, but it isn't.
As much as you hear us old guys and gals have fun with our Zoom lives these days, it makes a point... dress for success. There are dozens of threads on this forum about MOC interviews and dressing appropriately, would you risk your future on making a fashion statement? Just remember there is a time and place for everything. I wear shorts and t shirts when on calls that don't require a camera. Add in a camera and I step it up. I did my final executive briefing a few months ago, I sat in a full suit in my house. I was able to conduct interviews last week for our company's executive program for the next few years. We had 100 applicants for 8-10 spots... I sure as heck asked them to stand up and step away from the camera. I had one that had on shorts... they were an automatic no. Attention to detail is a key component to success at any SA, the way you walk into the room is the first impression you make when interviewing with a board.
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My ds even sort of dressed up for his phone interview with one of the senators! Not a full suit, but button down shirt, belt, tie, new jeans. Said it helped him focus on presenting his best self.