Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Times People Wore The Most Inappropriate Clothes For Job Interviews, As Revealed By Folks In This Online Thread
Despite society feeding us these self-proclaimed beauty standards that supposedly everyone must follow, we all know that it's a bunch of malarkey, and our looks don't actually matter; we live in a time where folks celebrate difference and individuality, and it's truly empowering.
However, when it comes to workplaces, our appearance still plays a significant role in how our colleagues and higher-ups perceive us. Of course, it all depends on the kind of job one has, as some companies are more lenient than others.
Well, this online user took it to everyone's favorite subreddit to ask fellow Redditors about job interviewees or their attire, to be exact. "Employers of Reddit, what is the most inappropriate piece of clothing someone has worn to a job interview?" – and as it turns out, it's not uncommon for applicants to show up wearing the most bizarre fits. This post ended up receiving over 12.3K upvotes and 3.6K worth of stories.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
An extremely short dress.
But, I ended up hiring her because she had experience. Turned out she was pregnant, coming from school, and her husband had met her at the interview site so she could change clothes and that is what he had brought. She was so embarrassed, but did not have time to go home and change into something else.
She ended up being the best worker I had ever hired.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Betty&Doe pattison 3 years ago
I used to manage a store that sold work wear to oil patch workers. I interviewed a young woman for a sales position. She cam in wearing a club-style halter top, tight pants and heavy make up. Not exactly the business casual look we wore while at work. Through the course of the interview I found out that she was a bartender, working late nights while her boyfriend worked in the patch. She was 21, pregnant and wanted out of the bar life, and into something more main stream while she carried her baby. She was looking for an opportunity to better her life. She was bilingual, wanted to be a teacher some day and was living far away from her family trying to get it all right. So, I hired her. 7 months later, I got to hold her fist child. 8 years later I attended her wedding. Today, 13 years after that interview, she is a teacher. Never, ever let that first impression be the only one.
Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
My thing is try to get to know them before you judge them.
Load More Replies...
Robyn Ward 3 years ago
Me: Straight of firefighting went for a meter reader job, was told I was "too feminine" for the job....Also ex army/ex armed security officer....
GPZ 3 years ago
How can anyone be "too feminine" for a meter reading job????
Load More Replies...
Kalevra 3 years ago
I honestly dont understand who the attire reflects the work ethic UNLESS its totally unacceptable like ripped or dirty.
Alison Hell 3 years ago (edited)
If you look like a duck and walk like a duck, then you must be...a duck... Though there are exceptions as mentioned in this post.
Load More Replies...
Cat Palmer 3 years ago
A better ending than an interview I attended as a candidate a few years ago, where one of the interviewers wore a very short dress and conducted the interview while sitting on a very low sofa; my seat was even lower so I was practically at eye level with a front-row seat view of her underwear. I wasn't sorry when I didn't get the job.
Blondieybat 3 years ago
Hubbys are not always the best clothes pickers. I have to play 20 questions w/mine when we go anywhere.
Blake Huie 3 years ago
Oh no not a worker in an industrial type field where I use stuff every day. You know a job that they are a major part of the process attaining the material. A job in willing to bet a good 70% of the population couldn't handle doing for even one hitch.
Load More Replies...
Celeste Finn 3 years ago (edited)
I was once co-interviewer for a young woman who was very busty and who wore a very, tight and low cut top that she was kind of hanging out of. It was for a position at a museum with a conservative member base in a role where she would be dealing with the public at a desk that covered everything from the waist down. It was sad because she thought she was acing it and it was hard not to act enthusiastic in return because it was too awkward to point out the obvious issue with her inappropriate attire. We could have asked her to dress conservatively on the job, but the over-riding issue was her poor judgement. This was passed on to the professionals in our (good) HR Department to explain. I still think about her 25? years later.
Samara Morgan 1 year ago
I love when women are treated badly because of their bodies.
Load More Replies... RELATED:
#2
Homecoming dress. She knew she was supposed to dress up for the interview, and that was the nicest thing she had. I felt so bad; she was incredibly embarrassed. It was her first real interview, and in the end, I gave her credit for at least putting in the effort.
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
From Reddit, because BP HATES to post updates: For everyone asking, yes, she did get a job offer. The attire didn't factor in nearly as much as her coming in prepared, on time, and with questions.
Wandaluzt 3 years ago
This is a post from 2 years ago. Bored Panda copy the content to get you to click and view it for ad revenue. They couldn't give a toss about updates. It's a clickbait site so I'm not sure why you are surprised.
Load More Replies...
Jackie Nettleton 3 years ago
At least she knew that she had to dress in a certain way which is more than a lot of people who go to interviews it’s just a shame she went a little too far. I would have hired her, it’s better to have someone go all out instead of half assing it
Huddo's sister 3 years ago
This is why we do interview prep and mock interviews in school around the age kids are legally allowed to start work! Saves from embarrassment when it actually counts (though some people are asked to actually apply for a job with the mock interviewer, as they are usually from actual workplaces).
#3
I was the person! This was 20 years ago, and I had just moved to the city. I was 17 and spent 3 weeks working as a hostess at Denny's. A friend asked if I wanted to go rollerblading, so I was strapped into my roller blades and was wearing athletic wear. She then pulled up to her gym, had me walk in my roller blades up to the second story where the daycare was, and told me that I was interviewing for the Nanny job that she heard was available. I actually got the job because the woman who owned the gym was impressed that I could climb stairs in my roller blades!
thEBOrdeSTpaNDA 3 years ago
Omg that friend! Who would just sign someone up for a job interview and not tell them until the interview!
#4
I was a recruitment manager for a call centre and Oh man, let me list a few:
1. 20 something-year-old strolling in with sweatpants that say "I SMOKE WEED 420" all over them. Literally.
2. a t-shirt that said "I hate work"
3. A giant gold necklace that said "B***H"
4. leggings with way too much camel toe
5. a stripper who came to her interview straight from work.
6. An old man who for some reason made holes in his shirt for his nipples to be exposed.
7. ninja turtle pajamas
8. A man who actually wore decent clothing but then tried to take off his clothing and lay 'like a plank' on the lobby floor. When he went to the elevator, he burned off the buttons with a lighter.
None of this is made up. What an experience.
Cactus McCoy 3 years ago
If your offered job attracts so many weirdos, it's not the weirdos who are the problem.
JayCee 3 years ago
I feel bad for the stripper. I imagine it's difficult trying to transition out of that type of work. And it shows a lot of hard work and initiative to come straight from one job to another.
Gabrielle Russell 3 years ago
Agreed. I hope she was taken seriously somewhere, and is living her dreams now.
Load More Replies...
Craig Staley 3 years ago
The stripper was probably legitimately trying to find a better job. I would have taken a chance on her. The others are a solid "no."
Wintermute 3 years ago
Most of these people are trying to keep their unemployment by going to job interviews and making sure they don't get the job.
LILY STAUFFER 3 years ago
I am a tmnt expert and I'm offended with the pic Mikey has Leo's sword he uses nunchucks
UNP Snae 3 years ago
5. a stripper who came to her interview straight from work. This one hurts! She needed a job and a new way of living apparently! But you had to judge her, right????
Alison Hell 3 years ago
She shouldn't be judged because of what she does for a living, though I personally dont agree with it, but she could have had a set of clothes to change into for the interview, and life in general.
Load More Replies... #5
PJs she was pulled out of bed and brought to me and my boss for an interview she didn't know she was having. After 5 minutes we offered her a job and she actually turned out really well.
Cactus McCoy 3 years ago
If you can handle a stressful situation like an interview five minutes after waking up you're prepared for A LOT! Job requirements can always be taught and learned.
Trevor Nicholson 3 years ago
I don't understand how someone was randomly pulled out of bed and brought to a job interview they didn't know about, and they got the job. Like, this needs a lot of explaining
Sawyer Kidder 3 years ago
My cousin did this for a Taco Bell interview. She is not doing well…
#6
A pair of flesh colored leggings that made her look as if she wasn't wearing pants at all, a sweatshirt that opened in the front, that had been pulled to the side a bit to reveal a lacy camisole top. We work as therapists. No f***ing way she got that job.
For more info, both her wig and glasses were askew. There was an odor somewhere between human and cat urine. And about halfway through she asked if she could take a break because she left her car running to charge her phone.
Celeste Finn 3 years ago (edited)
For people who aren’t peach flesh colored?
Load More Replies... Jill 3 years ago
A more accurate picture should have been used for this one. This lady's wearing pantyhose not leggings.
Wandaluzt 3 years ago
They are stock photos with a vague resemblance to the content they copied from Reddit. They literally do not care. You're here to be shown adverts, simple as.
Load More Replies... Jackie Nettleton 3 years ago
She is more of a person that should be there for the service instead of the job I think
Alex the Country Dog 3 years ago
Aww, that is very sad. As a former CS manager also disappointing how many interviewers don't know how to look past appearance at potential. A dress code conversation will fix a lot of interview attire issues. The smell would be more of a flag than the attire, tbh, but still coachable with the right person. Hire the person; mentor the appearance.
Alison Hell 3 years ago
It's a sad state of affairs when a person doesnt know what proper respectful attire is...I know, some never learned and common sense is rare.
Load More Replies... Celeste Finn 3 years ago
So why does the photo show somebody wearing pantyhose when going bare legged to an interview is less-appropriate?
Wandaluzt 3 years ago
They are stock photos with a vague resemblance to the content they copied from Reddit. They literally do not care. You're here to be shown adverts, simple as.
Load More Replies...
M. A. McKnight 🇺🇦 3 years ago
Way back when (before computers) to get unemployment checks, in my state, you had to have at least 3 verified job interviews a week to continue to receive unemployment. It never said you had to do well in the interview!
Memere 3 years ago
That's what I was going to say. And in a lot of states you do still have to have verified job interviews but now the job seekers report them online. I've known more than a few people who are pretty good at working the system this way.
Load More Replies...
#7
I was the one going to the job interview, when I was 16 I applied for a job at a well known auto parts garage, I thought we were meant to be in a full formal clothing e.g a suit, so I wore a full 3 - piece suit to the interview, when I got to the interview all the other candidates were wearing boiler suits along with work boots, when it was my turn to go in for the interview the interviewer was surprised (as I guess from his reaction), apparently all candidates were sent an email telling them to wear protective clothing and something which they would not mind getting dirty because we were meant to demonstrate the basic duties we would do whilst working at the garage e.g changing the oil in a car etc. Well I did no demonstrating that day but the interviewer did agree to let me come in the next day to do some demonstrations, i got the job and worked there for about 2 years, I honestly miss that job but I had to move for personal reasons
M O'Connell 3 years ago
Drop the oil in a car without getting yourself dirty, that'd be impressive.
Terry Tobias 3 years ago
Always dress in an appropriate way for the position you're interviewing for, and be clean, neat and organized. For awhile I worked as a job developer and would help people with their interview skills. One guy came into the office in a wrinkled 3-piece, shiny suit smelling like cigarettes and moth balls. The outfit was from his high school prom and he hadn't worn it since. He was going for a customer service job at Target and a security position at another company. I had him go home and change into a clean pair of casual, nice pants and an ironed, button down shirt. We had already prepared for the application/ interview process, so when we went to the interviews he aced them and actually got the security job. He was so happy and I was so proud of him!
#8
I worked in the US Senate a couple years back.
We were interviewing about half a dozen candidates for a pretty junior position. One of the interviewees was wearing a Harvard tee shirt, a Harvard jacket, and Harvard sweatpants. We were astounded.
The first question my coworker asked was "Did you go to Harvard?". The guy did, and he handled the rest of the interview surprisingly well. He didn't get the job but he did become a running joke in the office for a while.
Hagen Radcliffe 3 years ago
1st thing I thought! “ A place called Cornel, ever heard of it?” I miss Andy
Load More Replies...
Down With Agent Hedgehog! 3 years ago
Hahahaha nope I’m actually Yale student…
Load More Replies... Celeste Finn 3 years ago (edited)
Sad. I would imagine that as much could be deduced from his resume. Harvard kids aren’t the only readers of English.
#9
Late to the party but...
I had a young guy come in one day who I think was clearly trying to NOT get the job. Like his dad gave him an ultimatum to get a job or get out type of thing and he was just going to interviews to appease him.
He had his hair in pigtails high on the sides of his head with wire threaded in them so they'd stick out.
Black t-shirt that said "F**K' on it in giant white letters.
Plaid schoolgirl style skirt.
Rainbow tights.
90's chunky club kid style shoes.
Wonderful 3 years ago
He's now president of the company and totally fabulous
Load More Replies...
Shannon in Alaska 3 years ago
Well, it must have taken him a lot of time to plan ahead what he was going to wear for that interview. He could have just not shown up and lied about going.
#10
A few years back, I had someone show up fresh out of the swimming pool. Hair wet. Bathing suit and cover up on. Still wet. Hadn't taken the time to dry off. I went through the interview and a test simulation of the job with her. She actually did very well at the simulation. When I took her to see my boss that made the ultimate decision, he took one look and said no. Didn't ask about the simulation or anything, just no.
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Depends where it happened.Some people on unemployment benefits do this kind of thing so they won't get the job and can stay on benefits. i know of two Australians who managed to stay on benefits this way for over 10 years.
Load More Replies...
Biofish23 3 years ago (edited)
I want to know what job she was applying for. Lifeguard? Poolside snack bar? Or like corporate account?
GPZ 3 years ago
In Australia, as with #9, we quite often see people clearly trying NOT to get the job, either by the way their CV/resume is done (or the way they show up to the interview) either the formatting eg: hand written, inappropriate fonts and layouts or content eg: meet none of the essential or desirable criteria, just so they could report to Centrelink (social security) to get their dole payments
Joy Hunter 3 years ago
Hey, I had parents and I was taught absolutely NO life skills. Well educated, though.
#11
I saw one guy come from the country club pool in an American flag tank top and swim trunks to the clubs golf cart boy interview. He didn’t get the job and then came back a week later in a full suit apologizing for his previous attire.
Jerry The Joker 3 years ago
We really need a new flag since Trump and his trash destroyed ours.
Wonderful 3 years ago
Trump has his own trump flag. I see it every day on the 3 houses across from mine. One neighbor has three flag poles 1 is for trump, 2 is a confederate flag, and 3 is a crusaders cross flag. We dubbed them The Racists like it's their last name. They also have a swastika flag pinned up in their garage with Corona beer banners decorated around it. They like to hang out in their garage and the swastika flag is so large it could be used as a blanket on a queen sized bed (they probably already have one on their bed).
Load More Replies...
#12
I worked with a guy who applied to the local big city Fire Department. Apparently all candidates had to submit a passport type photo of themselves, although I fail to see how that's relevant. Diversity quota perhaps?
Anyways, this guy was a gym nut and also sent a full head and torso photo of himself, with no shirt on. When I asked him why, he replied "So they know I'm not a twink."
Well, it must have worked, as Twinky is now a firefighter.
phil blanque 3 years ago
So this poor guy lives in constant fear of being identified as gay...even in a job interview. And if he thinks a well-tuned body proves you are straight....????? Pretty strange and sad.
#13
i'm a receptionist at a law firm, and back in the winter we were hiring for a new legal assistant. we had this lady come in through a hiring company, and she straight up told the hiring company and us that she wasn't going to dress professionally because she feels "we shouldn't judge her on her looks or how she dresses for an interview"
she literally came in wearing a ratty pair of sweat pants and a bleached stained sweater and honestly she had this sense of entitlement that came off as rude when i greeted her. needless to say she didn't get the job
Taylor Burleson 3 years ago (edited)
A receptionist is the first face you see when walking into a business, most often. They will be the first impression of said business, so respectable clothing should be worn.
Memere 3 years ago
True, but the woman was there to interview for a legal assistant position. The OP was the receptionist. However, respectable clothing should be worn for any interview!
Load More Replies... #14
I interviewed a young woman who wore a skirt so short I did actually see her underwear when she sat down. The underwear was pink. I gave her feedback later that she should have worn a suit. This was for a business analyst role. Everyone else was wearing a suit.
L.A. Trefry 3 years ago
It's mentioned to support the claim that the skirt was so short he could literally see the color of her underwear.
Load More Replies...
Alex the Country Dog 3 years ago
OMG enough with blasting the short skirts already. There are a lot of young women who did not grow up learning how to dress appropriately for an interview. If the candidate is qualified enough, then hire the person, and coach the attire. That's what dress codes are for. As a middle-ager who dresses QUITE modestly I feel for these young people who don't quite get it yet, and I would hire any of them in a heartbeat as long as they have matching qualifications and a good attitude.
Ogidi Girl 3 years ago
Oh please enough with the defending utter stupidity. This is sexist c**p. If a guy walked in with shorts that were short enough to show his junk everyone would be disgusted and up in arms! Why not feel sorry for the boys that were not taught that exposing yourself is unfair to others that are made uncomfortable? Are you suggesting that women are so foolish as not to understand the same as men unless they are taught???
Load More Replies... 
august is mentally unstable 3 years ago
why would she do that? whats wrong with being gay?
Load More Replies... #15
He wore a polo.
....with our competitor's logo on it.
propgamer XL 3 years ago
Worked somewhere. Boss was a creep. Left after a week. Sent em that I quit in an envelope from the competitor. Didn't even realize. Just had no envelopes, except that one. Lol that guy was so angry. Competitor gave me a great job. Still work there. Paid loads more and everyone is normal there.
Troux 3 years ago
First thought that came to my head. That's the best possible person to hire.
Load More Replies...
Einar Kramer 3 years ago
Eh. So you’re telling me you could snipe a competitors (already trained) worker and went with being offended instead? Sounds like a winner!
John Dilligaf 3 years ago
could make for pretty good ad campaign though. "We're so good even our competitors want to work for us"
#16
I have one from just last month!
This guy was coming in to interview for a Financial Advisor program. Everyone in our office dresses very professional, and most people I interview are dressed in their best suits.
This gentlemen came in wearing a stained white dress shirt, with a yellow tinted white undershirt. I forget what kind of pants, but he had a cloth "joker" belt (why so serious written all over it with the jokers face) neon green and black that he didnt loop through the rest of his pants and was swaying around when walking. He also had very long creepy finger nails that were very dirty and he kept rolling and rubbing his fingers together to get the dirt off subconsciously.
The icing on the cake was he coughed and snorted something up very loudly, then swallowed it, then loudly commented "Nice!".
Somehow this guy aced our assessments and put together a great resume, but was just the exact opposite of professional.
We are still not sure if he was trying to f**k with us, or was that terribly oblivious. I just assumed he was interviewing for someone else, like Ben Affleck in Good Will Hunting.
#17
Back when I was an hourly manager at Walmart, a guy came in with greasy hair, a white t-shirt full of holes, and sweat pants. AND to top it all off, he looked like he had a semi...
Surprisingly he didn't smell, and the clothes actually looked clean- so that was good? But still, I gave him a hard no, but the overnight assistant gave him the go. Because he wasnt going to be on her shift, and she thought it was hilarious.
This guy was a f**king nightmare. Wore that same "outfit", now never washed, almost daily. Smelled like death, a*s, and cumin. And he was crazy. We were finally able to fire him after he pulled out his pocket knife and cut his coworker. Thankfully the cut didn't cause any real damage to the kid.
Binxyminxem 3 years ago
I wonder if the overnight assistant faced any repercussions over this.
Linnea 3 years ago
It's short for "semi-erection." Sometimes euphemistically described as being "at half-mast."
Load More Replies...
Gladys Hayes Southerland 3 years ago
They don't own any slacks & no one has told them about business attire, l suppose.
#18
Not an employer, but I - a dude - had a lucky pink thong under my pants for an interview. Got the job. Would wear again.
Michael Largey 3 years ago
I really don't want to ask, but I have to - What in the past had made this pink thong so lucky for you?
Fried Mermaid 3 years ago
In Friends there are only 2 episodes when the guys use thongs/similar. One is where Julia Roberts gets revenge from Chandler and makes him wear her underwear. The other one was when Joey finds out Phoebe's BF uses her underwear and ends up convincing him to use it, he finds it very comfortable :)
Load More Replies...
#19
saggy pants with whitie tightie underwear. when he bent over to sign in at the desk you could see his whole butt (but not his butt hole)
Darla Taylor 3 years ago
I’m the opposite, makes me want to pull those pants down to their ankles
#20
I've never had to deal with inappropriate clothing at an interview before, but (and probably worse) I did have to try to explain away to elected officials and citizens at a public consultation meeting why the engineering consultant we contracted out for a portion of developing that town's strategic plan showed up in a f**king Hawaiian shirt and flip flops.
Reason I gave: he wanted to stand out and field as many questions as possible by sticking out like a sore thumb and seeming approachable
Real reason: This was his last gig before retirement (so he had zero f**ks) and he had just signed his divorce papers that morning and spent the afternoon drinking at the hotel bar with his lawyer.
Unf**kingreal. Nothing in his contract dictated anything about attire (since 99% of what he was paid to do was going to be done from his winter place in Arizona), only that he would be expected to show up at any public consultations. You better f**king believe our standard contracts going forward included a clause on it.
JayCee 3 years ago
Why did the contracts need a clause for clothing? You hired a consultant. He was not an elected official. He came to the meeting and presumably did the job correctly. This seems like Boomer nonsense. "Dress in a suit and tie, damnit!" The guy wore a shirt with a pattern. That doesn't prevent him from fulfilling his contracts.
Leslie Crittenden 3 years ago
Ok don't stick this on the shoulders of boomers based solely on age. I'm of boomer age and I don't think conventionally at all. I think all people should wear clothes that make them comfortable and thus allow them to focus on their job responsibilities. Looking conventional, especially the suit and tie look, is an artificial construct with no actual reasoning to support it. Remember the boomer generation are the ones who rejected conventional clothes and made wearing jeans normal. Before us, jeans were for laborers.
Load More Replies...
#21
He came in to the IT interview in polo, khakis and aqua colored Crocs with an anime maid blushing painted on one and lining up a sniper shot on the other. He was late because security was concerned about his mlp chain wallet.
Tom Hanlin 3 years ago
If you're hiring a programmer based on the clothes he's wearing, you're not going to get very good programmers. We tend to expect a standard of "you will wear clothes".
Marty Verburgt 3 years ago
Programming is not IT. IT deal directly with customers, while programmers work behind the scenes. If you’re interviewing for a job dealing with the public in person you should maintain an appropriate attire dependent on the company policy.
Load More Replies... Alex the Country Dog 3 years ago
So...? If you're going to disqualify a programmer (or a lot of jobs, or that matter) based on interview clothing (as long as all other qualifications match) I'd hate to use your company. Hire the person/coach the attire (IF it's really necessary which in the case of a programmer is not.) How the flock do any of you companies have enough younger, quality employees with this archaic dismissal based on interview attire?
Huddo's sister 3 years ago (edited)
The only problem I see is that crocs are ugly- he could still do his job. I mean, many nurses wear crocs and they interact with a variety of the common public.
august is mentally unstable 3 years ago
ok but did he actually think he was going to get the job
#22
Someone came in to interview at my job wearing a Levi's t-shirt with the sleeves ripped off, Daisy Dukes, and pink flip flops covered in pompoms. It was January in the UK. I don't understand why she wasn't blue with cold.
The look my manager gave me as she lead this woman to the interview room was amazing.
Not as bad as some of the others here, but it gave us a good laugh for a few days.
Leslie Crittenden 3 years ago
*led* not lead. Sorry, this is a pet peeve, I've seen this word misspelled so many times recently.
Andrea Malarkey 3 years ago
Could have an endocrine problem. I've been heat intolerant since I was in an accident. They want me to see an endocrinologist. I can walk out side in 12° Fahrenheit weather in leggings, tee shirt and sandles. I sleep best at 37°Fahrenheit.
#23
Had a candidate come in for a recruiting role. She was young and beautiful. But she was wearing some of the tightest yoga pants ever. Nothing was left to the imagination. Her top looked great though.
Mariah Noel 3 years ago
This is confusing is this bad? I mean their yoga pants they are going to be tight.
Allison B 3 years ago
I mean I wear yoga pants a lot, but to an interview? Nope. Unless she was interviewing for job as a personal trainer or some thing then maybe it would be ok?
Candia Lee 3 years ago
I wear leggings most of the time because they are whatever size I currently am. A nice long top to cover the crotch should be acceptable for any job I would want to apply for.
Load More Replies...
Taylor Burleson 3 years ago
Yes, but leggings and yoga pants are on the unprofessional side. Unless it happened to be an athletic position they were hiring for.
Load More Replies...
Alex the Country Dog 3 years ago
Yuck. Interviewer makes me very uncomfortable at the descriptions. Also same sad situation as the young women in the "too-short" skirts: hire the person; coach the attire. A lot of companies missing out on potentially good employees by being hung up on interview clothing. Good attitude? Good qualifications? Then just require a dress code, and coach professionalism. The lack of "good help" is often lack of better hiring criteria on the part of those hiring.
#24
I had an interviewee for a entry-level, customer service position at a large company show to our interview 15 minutes late in Hello Kitty pajama bottoms, a matching backpack, a bright pink hoodie, and warm and fuzzy slippers.
I didn't even bother with the interview as she was late, but that has to be one of the most unprofessional attire I've seen in my hiring experience.
The other I recall was a young woman interviewing for a customer service position at the airline I was at in an extremely low cut blouse and short skirt, all in black. Mentioned something during the interview about how she hasn't smoked weed in a couple weeks and wanted to make sure we knew she wasn't high.
Alex the Country Dog 3 years ago
Ugh. I can't even with these ridiculous interviewers anymore. Hire the person; coach the attire. And WHY was she late? Dismissing people on first impressions gets you a lot of less than desirable people who just happened to get lucky on their first impressions.
Candia Lee 3 years ago
I understand your concern, but this one was too late and inappropriately dressed to be considered. Do you hire or are you just telling everyone else to?
Load More Replies... 
#25
A tight muscle shirt. It's great that you work out, big guy, but it's not a gym. Plus he only worked his glamour muscles. He was thick around the middle. Dude, at least give the office a show.
M O'Connell 3 years ago
Why downvote Sam? People who are actually strong look less like Johnny Bravo and more like a tree trunk.
#26
A guy in a Harley t-shirt came by applying for a job. What was so special was his Harley hat and the half smoked and butted out cigarette he had behind his ear. I actually thought it was a practical joke or something.
Wandaluzt 3 years ago
It was posted on Reddit 2 years ago. Who are you trying to ask?
Load More Replies... Alex the Country Dog 3 years ago (edited)
What was the job? Was he otherwise qualified? So many of these are without context. It's just irritating, nonstop, judgment of a certain age group, and a certain socio-economic class.
Candia Lee 3 years ago
Wow, how did you get "certain age group" or "certain socio-economic class" from these? From the photos? They aren't of the OP subject, just what seemed to illustrate the story.
Load More Replies...
#27
Not an employer but my current workplace hosted a small job fair. This lady came in wearing a transparent shirt with no bra. My boss, who was a lady at the time, immediately turned the lady around and pushed her out the front door. Guy comes in later that same day wearing skin tight short shorts and a very large blue tank top. Guy was nice and respectful during his interview. Boss told him she would've hired him on the spot if he had only put on something casual or professional.
Cactus McCoy 3 years ago
If you do not hire a skilled worker who fits the team because of a pair of pants, you are stupid. Explain the dress code, sent to the next outlet, prepare workspace and let that person start later that day.
Kristin Ingersoll 3 years ago
Judgement is part of a job. If a person shows poor judgement and decision-making skills, that's a red flag.
Load More Replies...
#28
Ahegao hoodie
Sam 3 years ago
In fairness its a really good signal to stay away. If only all creeps would be so obvious
Load More Replies...
Kelzbelz79 3 years ago
I actually like that outfit, I'd wear that at home as lounge wear for sure, it looks really comfortable.
#29
I worked for a high-end software development firm. We wore business casual, and were fairly on the “casual” end of that, but one day someone showed up to the interview in a bright fluorescent orange oversized hoodie, cargo pants, and sandals.
They did not get the job.
M O'Connell 3 years ago
If my job were to write code, wearing uncomfortable clothing would definitely interfere with that.
UNP Snae 3 years ago
As my Job IS to code, i am telling you that those guys made a humongous mistake! Also i never understood why a simple casual style should be considered not appropriate. Thankfully until now, noone has ever cut me out because of my attire. I am in my 24th year of work!
Load More Replies... Taylor Burleson 3 years ago
See when I hear things like this I can't help but to think "What if that person has lost everything and are rebuilding?" or "What if they are homeless and do not have the proper attire?"
Pheebs 3 years ago
I think the comments about programmers being unable/not expected to work in business clothes are hilarious. Many programmers DO work in business environments and are fully capable of working in said clothes. Mind you, most IT environments run business casual - jeans and a polo being very common - so I’m not sure why ya’ll are so stuck on stereotyping. Also, I say this as a programmer, working in a business casual environment that leans more business than casual. Also, just because someone is a programmer doesn’t mean they don’t actually end up being a public face. Expecting some level of professionalism in behavior and overall presentation is not unreasonable.
Leslie Crittenden 3 years ago
Once again, I have to disagree with the word "professional". What does that mean exactly, and why? Used as meaning "to conform to an outdated and misogynistic convention of dress", I think looking professional is underrated and pointless.
Load More Replies...
#30
Suit, tie, Black socks, brown sandals.
Seabeast 3 years ago
Maybe he had foot problems? This is the least egregious of these examples.
Vision Jinx 3 years ago
So true! Ingrown toe nails are no joke! Could have been doctors to not wear enclosed shoes
Load More Replies... Leslie Crittenden 3 years ago
Hey, don't disrespect the socks and sandals! They may not be cool but they are comfortable, practical and healthy for your feet. Research how wearing "professional looking" high heels damages women's feet and lower body joints!
Marty Verburgt 3 years ago
Sandals are not healthy for your feet. I’ve had feet problems ever since I wore sandals for one summer. They cause flat feet which hurt your back.
Load More Replies... 
Sue Hazlewood 3 years ago
A suit is jacket and pants and sometimes a vest as well.
Load More Replies...
Zelda Sterling 3 years ago
That is not a thing. We surf, we skate, we still have discernment. :)
Load More Replies... #31
A see through shirt. I could make out the details of her bra. Right after that, a candidate came in with one eye in bright green shadow, liner, & mascara. The other eye was completely free of makeup. Poor attention to detail! That was weird day.
HarriMissesScotland 3 years ago
I was in Popeyes when this woman, as in her 30's came in for an interview. She had full sleeve bad tattoos. No biggie. See through black bra with a mesh crop top over it. Hot pink satin micro mini shorts over fish net stockings. 6 inch boots with lots of buckles. Greasy hair. I was a customer and was shocked. I will say, the manager was exceedingly polite and did interview her.
#32
I have a story. I work at a hotel. One day a young lady came in asking about a housekeeping job. Our executive housekeeper was still there so I called her office, let her know she had a potential applicant. She said she had a moment, she'd be right over.
She came out, took one quick glance at her and told her we're not hiring. The lady left. The executive housekeeper then told me not to send anyone looking like that to her. I asked why.
She said, did you look at her? The young lady was wearing very tight jeans with holes in them, and it was obvious that she wasn't wearing any underwear since half her rear end was showing. She had on what looked like stripper heels, and was wearing a halter top so tight it left nothing to the imagination.
Mali Holdaway 3 years ago
It is an interviewers job to judge. Like it or not before anything is said, before introductions are made the only thing u know about a person is how they have chosen to appear for that day and situation. The age old saying is true, dress for the job u want, and any company owner be it a small 5 person company or a multinational corporation, there is a standard that is set and they want people who will present themselves, everyday, in the manner they have chosen, and ur interview is ur very first day. First impressions matter, they are what gets u to a second and third.
Vision Jinx 3 years ago (edited)
I got the opposite experience from this where I got backlash for actually dressing to impress! I used to work as a gardener, and I went into inquire about a sales position at a little garden and yard supply store. The manager bluntly says, "you garden? Not in THAT you don't!". I did not inquire further since I wasn't going to work for someone that was rude. The girl in the story dodged a bullet. What if she was passing by and decided to inquire about a hiring sign? Was she supposed to go home, change, and come back just to get information?
#33
Low cut dress, could really see all of his chest hair...
What do you think ?
Maciej Zajaczkowski 3 years ago
Glad to hear that some employers can look past the rigid norms of dress code and see what a person has to offer themselves. A big applause to those individuals!
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Most of these people didn't want a job or at least that particular job. I can't speak for other countries but under the Australian system, unless it changed recently, people register at the government office and are sent to an affiliated employment agency. These agencies are paid to place people in ANY job regardless of suitability or experience just to get them off benefits and lower unemployment figures. Hence the unemployed often deliberately present themselves poorly attired at interviews for jobs.
Shane S 3 years ago
In the US, you have to apply to jobs to keep getting unemployment checks. I believe some states require interviews. So it’s an adjacent situation. They show up to the interview just to tell their caseworker they tried and still collect their government checks.
Load More Replies...
Kate Jones 3 years ago
I was a manager of a retail store for about 7 years. I would schedule interviews with people online as we didn't allow 'off-the-street' interviews to be set up. We sold lottery and cigarettes which are very regulated at the state level so anyone applying had to do so online so we could do a background check first. No point in setting up an interview if they couldn't pass that. So this guy seemed so great on paper. I schedule the interview and he shows up in beach shorts, torn t-shirt and flip flops, carrying both a beer and a gun in a holster. I almost get the gun; some people carry (not sure why it needed to be brought to a job interview but okay). But it was the beer than really did me in. He was half drunk in the interview which we're required to follow through with. It was wild.
tirebiter 3 years ago
Even in open carry states it can't be legal to carry a gun while you're drinking alcohol.
Load More Replies...
Littlemiss 3 years ago
My husband walked 10km to a job interview, his shoes disintegrated on the walk. He bought shoe glue and duct tape at a nearby store and fixed them up before continuing on. His tenacity got him the job which was tailored towards people on benefits. He'd been turned down for previous jobs because he was 'over qualified'. He just wanted a chance to support his family.
Jerry The Joker 3 years ago
I used to hire for a law firm. I always dress professionally. I also like other people to dress professionally. I had one girl come in and tell me there was no way in hell she was going to dress like me. Nope. Also I want to mention emails that people put on their résumé. If you're applying for a job, make sure your email is not redhotcherry@gmail.com.
Trillian 3 years ago (edited)
I had a job in highschool helping out at my mom's job (she was a secretary in a big hospital). I would also help sort and answer the applications for medical trainees (students of medicine after their last year who are not MDs yet). One had sent a picture, more like a snapshot, of herself in the middle of eating cereal, mouth wide open and spoon filled with cereal in front of her face. I had no experience with apllying or job interviews myself but I knew that that was highly inappropriate.
The Starsong Princess 3 years ago
I had a forty year old woman show up in full goth gear for a receptionist job at a financial services company.
Candy 3 years ago
I work at a staffing company. Even in "normal" times, we had strange people/attire but when we switched to virtual in 2020, men would answer their Zoom interview shirtless, other people smoked bongs, in pajamas in bed and smoking/singing along to commercial jingles throughout, etc. Fun times.
Maciej Zajaczkowski 3 years ago
Glad to hear that some employers can look past the rigid norms of dress code and see what a person has to offer themselves. A big applause to those individuals!
Rose the Cook 3 years ago
Most of these people didn't want a job or at least that particular job. I can't speak for other countries but under the Australian system, unless it changed recently, people register at the government office and are sent to an affiliated employment agency. These agencies are paid to place people in ANY job regardless of suitability or experience just to get them off benefits and lower unemployment figures. Hence the unemployed often deliberately present themselves poorly attired at interviews for jobs.
Shane S 3 years ago
In the US, you have to apply to jobs to keep getting unemployment checks. I believe some states require interviews. So it’s an adjacent situation. They show up to the interview just to tell their caseworker they tried and still collect their government checks.
Load More Replies... Kate Jones 3 years ago
I was a manager of a retail store for about 7 years. I would schedule interviews with people online as we didn't allow 'off-the-street' interviews to be set up. We sold lottery and cigarettes which are very regulated at the state level so anyone applying had to do so online so we could do a background check first. No point in setting up an interview if they couldn't pass that. So this guy seemed so great on paper. I schedule the interview and he shows up in beach shorts, torn t-shirt and flip flops, carrying both a beer and a gun in a holster. I almost get the gun; some people carry (not sure why it needed to be brought to a job interview but okay). But it was the beer than really did me in. He was half drunk in the interview which we're required to follow through with. It was wild.
tirebiter 3 years ago
Even in open carry states it can't be legal to carry a gun while you're drinking alcohol.
Load More Replies... Littlemiss 3 years ago
My husband walked 10km to a job interview, his shoes disintegrated on the walk. He bought shoe glue and duct tape at a nearby store and fixed them up before continuing on. His tenacity got him the job which was tailored towards people on benefits. He'd been turned down for previous jobs because he was 'over qualified'. He just wanted a chance to support his family.
Jerry The Joker 3 years ago
I used to hire for a law firm. I always dress professionally. I also like other people to dress professionally. I had one girl come in and tell me there was no way in hell she was going to dress like me. Nope. Also I want to mention emails that people put on their résumé. If you're applying for a job, make sure your email is not redhotcherry@gmail.com.
Trillian 3 years ago (edited)
I had a job in highschool helping out at my mom's job (she was a secretary in a big hospital). I would also help sort and answer the applications for medical trainees (students of medicine after their last year who are not MDs yet). One had sent a picture, more like a snapshot, of herself in the middle of eating cereal, mouth wide open and spoon filled with cereal in front of her face. I had no experience with apllying or job interviews myself but I knew that that was highly inappropriate.
The Starsong Princess 3 years ago
I had a forty year old woman show up in full goth gear for a receptionist job at a financial services company.
Candy 3 years ago
I work at a staffing company. Even in "normal" times, we had strange people/attire but when we switched to virtual in 2020, men would answer their Zoom interview shirtless, other people smoked bongs, in pajamas in bed and smoking/singing along to commercial jingles throughout, etc. Fun times.
You May Like 160 Motivational Quotes For Work To Get Those Projects Done 124 Motivational Gym Quotes Better Than Protein Helpful Job Interview Tips To Keep In Mind While Job Hunting
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Saimonas Lukošius
Justina Čiapaitė
Related on Bored Panda
