Watches and Job interviews...
Discussion
Morning all,
Job Interviews...
What sort of watch do you wear when you attend one?
Does it cross your mind what impression the watch will give to the interviewer?
Just started thinking about this for no reason the other day and realised that when you walk into a job interview and sit down, the image you present, including your attire, makes a huge impact on your chances of success.
I must admit when interviewing people myself I can't easily tell a £100 suit from a £1000 one on a gent, or a Chanel suit to one from New Look on a lady... It's not like the labels are on the outside is it? But I can tell a Casio from a Cartier.
Does it ever cross your mind?
The obvious thing to do is wear no watch but that might just scream 'not interested in good timekeeping'....
Job Interviews...
What sort of watch do you wear when you attend one?
Does it cross your mind what impression the watch will give to the interviewer?
Just started thinking about this for no reason the other day and realised that when you walk into a job interview and sit down, the image you present, including your attire, makes a huge impact on your chances of success.
I must admit when interviewing people myself I can't easily tell a £100 suit from a £1000 one on a gent, or a Chanel suit to one from New Look on a lady... It's not like the labels are on the outside is it? But I can tell a Casio from a Cartier.
Does it ever cross your mind?
The obvious thing to do is wear no watch but that might just scream 'not interested in good timekeeping'....
If the person meeting with you knows about watches and you are wearing something decent, but discreet then it will make a good impression. Likewise a good suit, shoes, fresh tie, and so on. If its a financial job, cuff-links please.
If you look the part, you will feel the part.
Good luck!!
If you look the part, you will feel the part.
Good luck!!
phumy said:
It makes no impact on me what so ever and nor should it you......If they are the right person for the job then so be it, as for what watch they wear!!!!!!! There is more to life.
I agree, it should not make a difference - but the fact is there are people that will know what watches cost and may pass comment.My parents bought me a Breitling for my 21st, and at my first graduate job the interviewer actually asked me how I could afford to buy such a watch.
I have a plain black leather strap boring non brand watch just for interviews. Some people are funny about these things so you are right to consider it.
I did have one person notice my non brand watch but he obviously then realised I wasn't into watches and then the interview went on really well. Apart from it wasn't for the job I'd been told it was by the recruiter (recruiter ballsed up spectacularly!)
I had difficulties with one interviewer who seemingly had issues because I turned up in a freshly cleaned and polished vx220. The recruitment consultant doing the recruiting phoned me afterwards to ask me why I turned up in a flash car? Obviously the interviewer at the company had an issue about it.
The advice I've been given from recruiters several times is always look as non descript as possible. You want them to remember you as "the bloke who spoke a lot of sense", not the one with the flashy car parked outside, breitling wearer, comedy tie, visible tattoos etc. And of course someone in the company will notice how you arrive and may be asked for their thoughts, so if necessary prepare everything 1 mile around the corner so you can get out the car and look organised straight away.
I did have one person notice my non brand watch but he obviously then realised I wasn't into watches and then the interview went on really well. Apart from it wasn't for the job I'd been told it was by the recruiter (recruiter ballsed up spectacularly!)
I had difficulties with one interviewer who seemingly had issues because I turned up in a freshly cleaned and polished vx220. The recruitment consultant doing the recruiting phoned me afterwards to ask me why I turned up in a flash car? Obviously the interviewer at the company had an issue about it.
The advice I've been given from recruiters several times is always look as non descript as possible. You want them to remember you as "the bloke who spoke a lot of sense", not the one with the flashy car parked outside, breitling wearer, comedy tie, visible tattoos etc. And of course someone in the company will notice how you arrive and may be asked for their thoughts, so if necessary prepare everything 1 mile around the corner so you can get out the car and look organised straight away.
Ewan S said:
I have a plain black leather strap boring non brand watch just for interviews. Some people are funny about these things so you are right to consider it.
I did have one person notice my non brand watch but he obviously then realised I wasn't into watches and then the interview went on really well. Apart from it wasn't for the job I'd been told it was by the recruiter (recruiter ballsed up spectacularly!)
I had difficulties with one interviewer who seemingly had issues because I turned up in a freshly cleaned and polished vx220. The recruitment consultant doing the recruiting phoned me afterwards to ask me why I turned up in a flash car? Obviously the interviewer at the company had an issue about it.
The advice I've been given from recruiters several times is always look as non descript as possible. You want them to remember you as "the bloke who spoke a lot of sense", not the one with the flashy car parked outside, breitling wearer, comedy tie, visible tattoos etc. And of course someone in the company will notice how you arrive and may be asked for their thoughts, so if necessary prepare everything 1 mile around the corner so you can get out the car and look organised straight away.
This is exactly what I mean and it's a great post.I did have one person notice my non brand watch but he obviously then realised I wasn't into watches and then the interview went on really well. Apart from it wasn't for the job I'd been told it was by the recruiter (recruiter ballsed up spectacularly!)
I had difficulties with one interviewer who seemingly had issues because I turned up in a freshly cleaned and polished vx220. The recruitment consultant doing the recruiting phoned me afterwards to ask me why I turned up in a flash car? Obviously the interviewer at the company had an issue about it.
The advice I've been given from recruiters several times is always look as non descript as possible. You want them to remember you as "the bloke who spoke a lot of sense", not the one with the flashy car parked outside, breitling wearer, comedy tie, visible tattoos etc. And of course someone in the company will notice how you arrive and may be asked for their thoughts, so if necessary prepare everything 1 mile around the corner so you can get out the car and look organised straight away.
You really don't want to be sat in a job interview with your interviewers wondering how you paid for a rather expensive watch, rather than concentrating on your answers to their questions.
I appreciate people are saying it shouldn't matter what watch you wear, but I really think it does unfortunately.
okgo said:
I've always worn my watch to an interview, if the person interviewing is a big enough t
t not to hire someone on the basis of them having a nice/expensive watch then I don't want your job anyway.
In the example I gave earlier, HR interviewed me - and I don't work in HR.t not to hire someone on the basis of them having a nice/expensive watch then I don't want your job anyway.IMO it's risk mitigation.
obob said:
The guy with the Casio will have better timekeeping!! The Cartier guy will be arriving 10secs later as each day goes by.
What do you do if he/she turns up wearing a Meistersinger. They would probably be a few minutes late anyway.Edited to add: What magic is required to get the smiley to appear in the body of text.
Edited by mcpiston on Thursday 28th July 13:36
Not an interview, but this morning I had a meeting with a capital fund to set up a £20m joint venture with them. I thought about what to wear eg which suit, shirt etc and thought about watch.
I ended up wearing my vintage gold tissot on a plan black strap, its elegant, looks reasonably expensive and is discreet. Discretion and lack of flamboyance is key in my mind.
Interestingly during the post meeting chat we got onto the subject of watches. Mine was commented on positively. They guys I met with were all wearing elegant watches, one had a PP another a vintage seamaster and the third a pretty discreet IWC.
The deal was done, no one made pre judgements, all looked successful but restrained.
I ended up wearing my vintage gold tissot on a plan black strap, its elegant, looks reasonably expensive and is discreet. Discretion and lack of flamboyance is key in my mind.
Interestingly during the post meeting chat we got onto the subject of watches. Mine was commented on positively. They guys I met with were all wearing elegant watches, one had a PP another a vintage seamaster and the third a pretty discreet IWC.
The deal was done, no one made pre judgements, all looked successful but restrained.
okgo said:
I've always worn my watch to an interview, if the person interviewing is a big enough tt not to hire someone on the basis of them having a nice/expensive watch then I don't want your job anyway.
I have to agree.t not to hire someone on the basis of them having a nice/expensive watch then I don't want your job anyway.I've always worn whatever is the newest in my collection anything from a Sub-Date to APRO, as that's usually my favourite at the time, and makes me feel good. And although can't be ticked off on a check list at interview, the way you feel at the time does project onto others
Wurls said:
mcpiston said:
obob said:
The guy with the Casio will have better timekeeping!! The Cartier guy will be arriving 10secs later as each day goes by.
What do you do if he/she turns up wearing a Meistersinger. They would probably be a few minutes late anyway.
Only been to three or four interviews in my entire working career, and never at the time considered thinking about what impression my watch would give, but then I wouldn't have owned anything that would have stood out then anyway given the job/interview scenario.
Ultimately I'd say that the interviewee shouldn't want to do anything that would distract the interviewer, however I'd also say that there shouldn't be anything wrong with the interviewee wearing something commensurate with the wage that their current and prospective jobs would earn them or even something that would suite the prospective job environment eg G for a builder etc
sleep envy said:
Podie said:
My parents bought me a Breitling for my 21st, and at my first graduate job the interviewer actually asked me how I could afford to buy such a watch.
and your response was?okgo said:
I've always worn my watch to an interview, if the person interviewing is a big enough tt not to hire someone on the basis of them having a nice/expensive watch then I don't want your job anyway.
My sentiments exactly. It is quite a good indication of whether your potential boss is jealous, childish, whatevert not to hire someone on the basis of them having a nice/expensive watch then I don't want your job anyway.It wouldn't bother me either way, as the interviewer to interviewee. I'd hope that if there was mention of watches, it would be as a friendly chat, not a 'how can you afford that?' type question.
I think the interviewer that Podie had was quite rude. It's none of their business. The interviewer may have had a cheap Timex on his/her wrist, but then again they may go on 2-3 holidays per year abroad. It's how we choose to spend our money.
I think the interviewer that Podie had was quite rude. It's none of their business. The interviewer may have had a cheap Timex on his/her wrist, but then again they may go on 2-3 holidays per year abroad. It's how we choose to spend our money.
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