at a job interview how should i ask about proper attire in a daycare setting?

[StitchBuddy]

The ones around where I live, usually wear Khaki pants and a polo shirt with the name of the daycare on it.

 

[luvsJack]

If I was the interviewer and the interviewee seemed concerned about whether sweatpants were permitted, I'd wonder where their head was at. Asking about dress code is a valid question, but specifically sweatpants just seems odd. The answer probably isn't a make it or break it one for the OP, so what's the difference?

I don't think she should ask until she is asked if she has any questions but isn't that why an interviewer says "do you have any questions?" At that time she can just say "I was wondering about the dress code" and if the director says "neat and clean and appropriate" she could then ask "Are sweat pants ok?" And maybe explain the kind she means. I don't think she should pop the question until the interviewer is finished with his/her questions.

I have interviewed many people and never thought twice about them asking about the dress code if I had failed to mention it.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think she should ask until she is asked if she has any questions but isn't that why an interviewer says "do you have any questions?" At that time she can just say "I was wondering about the dress code" and if the director says "neat and clean and appropriate" she could then ask "Are sweat pants ok?" And maybe explain the kind she means. I don't think she should pop the question until the interviewer is finished with his/her questions.

I have interviewed many people and never thought twice about them asking about the dress code if I had failed to mention it.

The only reason to actually ask that during an interview (even in the Q/A part) is if you would decline the job if the answer is no. Otherwise, ask only after the position has been accepted.

 

[luvsJack]

The only reason to actually ask that during an interview (even in the Q/A part) is if you would decline the job if the answer is no. Otherwise, ask only after the position has been accepted.

Wow. I have asked many questions in interviews and been asked many questions as an interviewer. I can't imagine coming to a job and not knowing what I am supposed to wear on the first day, or how much I am being paid or what the hours actually are or what holidays we had. ALL of these are questions I asked the people interviewing me on my last job. None of them were deal breakers but all were useful pieces of information to have.

There are many reasons to ask questions that have nothing to do with the answer being a deal breaker.

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow. I have asked many questions in interviews and been asked many questions as an interviewer. I can't imagine coming to a job and not knowing what I am supposed to wear on the first day, or how much I am being paid or what the hours actually are or what holidays we had. ALL of these are questions I asked the people interviewing me on my last job. None of them were deal breakers but all were useful pieces of information to have.

There are many reasons to ask questions that have nothing to do with the answer being a deal breaker.

I assume the pay would affect whether you would take the job, so of course you would ask.

And asking "What is the dress code" is not the same as asking "Can I wear sweat pants?"

 

[nkereina]

There are many reasons to ask questions that have nothing to do with the answer being a deal breaker.

Asking what the dress code is, getting a general answer, and then showing up on day one in something safe like jeans or dress pants until you get a feel for things would be more appropriate than asking "can I wear sweatpants" and the interviewer wondering where your priorities are. As someone who has interviewed for positions, the questions they ask me are almost as important as the responses they give to my questions.

 

[luvsJack]

I assume the pay would affect whether you would take the job, so of course you would ask.

And asking "What is the dress code" is not the same as asking "Can I wear sweat pants?"

Actually, it didn't. But that is neither here nor there. Holidays and specific hours were not deal breakers but I needed to know.

I said she should inquire about the dress code and if the person is not clear then ask for specifics.

 

[sam_gordon]

The only reason to actually ask that during an interview (even in the Q/A part) is if you would decline the job if the answer is no. Otherwise, ask only after the position has been accepted.

Totally agree with this. You don't want a question about sweat pants to deny you the job. Ask about the dress code and look and see what other employees are wearing.

 

[nkereina]

I said she should inquire about the dress code and if the person is not clear then ask for specifics.

Maybe if the response by the interviewer is a generic/not clear one, the interviewee can ask if any clothing items are prohibited. Sometimes, even if it's casual, things like sweapants, tank tops, hoodies, shirts with writing on them, etc are actually prohibited. I think an appropriate conversation might go something like this:

Interviewee: What's the dress code?
Interviewer: Casual
Interviewee: Ok, so jeans are permitted? Is anything prohibited?
Interviewer: Yes, jeans are permitted. No tank tops, no sweatpants, no flip flops, etc etc

Either way, OP will find out when they get there.

 

[luvsJack]

Asking what the dress code is, getting a general answer, and then showing up on day one in something safe like jeans or dress pants until you get a feel for things would be more appropriate than asking "can I wear sweatpants" and the interviewer wondering where your priorities are. As someone who has interviewed for positions, the questions they ask me are almost as important as the responses they give to my questions.

I really can't imagine being that put off by a question, but whatever you think.

Where I work is pretty casual. I asked about dress code, they said casual. I then asked "jeans?" and was told no but khakis were fine as any dressy capris (it was summer). They were never put off by my question and I was given the job. How would I have known that jeans were not safe if I had not asked. Dress pants for a day care is a little over dressed.

 

[LiveYourLife]

No, it's not appropriate to ask about dress code in an interview. After you've been extended the job offer, yes.

Personally, I think sweatpants no matter the color, brand, or popularity are just messy looking for any work environment. They are meant to be workOUT, not work attire.

 

[nkereina]

I then asked "jeans?"

Jeans are different than sweatpants. No offense to anyone but sweatpants can have the connotations of "lazy" and "slob". Most workplaces prohibit them, unless you work at a gym. Jeans are permitted in many work places.

I do think asking about the dress code in general is a valid interview question because it gives you a sense of what the work environment is like. Specifics about the dress code can be asked after you start. I can see where sweatpants might be a valid question at a daycare (and the link the OP provided weren't sloppy pants in any way) but I still think coming out and asking straight up about sweatpants in the interview won't be well received.

 

[mom2rtk]

Jeans are different than sweatpants. No offense to anyone but sweatpants can have the connotations of "lazy" and "slob". Most workplaces prohibit them, unless you work at a gym. Jeans are permitted in many work places.

I do think asking about the dress code in general is a valid interview question because it gives you a sense of what the work environment is like. Specifics about the dress code can be asked after you start. I can see where sweatpants might be a valid question at a daycare (and the link the OP provided weren't sloppy pants in any way) but I still think coming out and asking straight up about sweatpants in the interview won't be well received.

Agreed. And it's not like you have to show up naked your first day. Just err on the side of caution, dress better than you expect to need to, then ask around that first day and adjust from there.

 

[luvsJack]

Maybe if the response by the interviewer is a generic/not clear one, the interviewee can ask if any clothing items are prohibited. Sometimes, even if it's casual, things like sweapants, tank tops, hoodies, shirts with writing on them, etc are actually prohibited. I think an appropriate conversation might go something like this:

Interviewee: What's the dress code?
Interviewer: Casual
Interviewee: Ok, so jeans are permitted? Is anything prohibited?
Interviewer: Yes, jeans are permitted. No tank tops, no sweatpants, no flip flops, etc etc

Either way, OP will find out when they get there.

This is exactly the kind of question I was talking about. Some centers provide shirts, some don't. Some require a certain type of pant with those shirts, some don't. Some want their workers dressed "professional" to look more like teachers, some do not have a preference. There is a thousand different dress codes.

Seeing other employees is probably the best way for the OP to tell and if that is possible, that's what she should do. But not all interviews are going to lend themselves to that. I know I interviewed a girl one time and neither of us brought up dress code. She showed up the first day in a dress. I wondered why, but didn't really say anything. At the end of the day, she said something about knowing what to wear the second day. I apologized to her for not being clear about it and asked "but why did you choose a dress?" The only other employee she saw was my assistant whose religion says she must wear ankle length dresses. (it was nap time and everyone else was with their class) Bless her heart, the poor girl was under the impression that I required them to wear dresses.

 

[luvsJack]

Jeans are different than sweatpants. No offense to anyone but sweatpants can have the connotations of "lazy" and "slob". Most workplaces prohibit them, unless you work at a gym. Jeans are permitted in many work places.

I do think asking about the dress code in general is a valid interview question because it gives you a sense of what the work environment is like. Specifics about the dress code can be asked after you start. I can see where sweatpants might be a valid question at a daycare (and the link the OP provided weren't sloppy pants in any way) but I still think coming out and asking straight up about sweatpants in the interview won't be well received.

I was using that as an example. I work in an office setting now, that's what the interview was for. Jeans are only permitted here on Fridays.


OP, why don't you just ask the question when you are actually offered the job? Since so many seem to think that its a problem to ask earlier, they are bound to call you and tell you when you can start so ask then.

 

[Happy Snowman]

Wow. I have asked many questions in interviews and been asked many questions as an interviewer. I can't imagine coming to a job and not knowing what I am supposed to wear on the first day, or how much I am being paid or what the hours actually are or what holidays we had. ALL of these are questions I asked the people interviewing me on my last job. None of them were deal breakers but all were useful pieces of information to have.

There are many reasons to ask questions that have nothing to do with the answer being a deal breaker.

There is an appropriate time to ask these types of questions and the first interview is not that time.

 

[sam_gordon]

No, it's not appropriate to ask about dress code in an interview. After you've been extended the job offer, yes.

Personally, I think sweatpants no matter the color, brand, or popularity are just messy looking for any work environment. They are meant to be workOUT, not work attire.

Why would that not be an appropriate time to ask? The interview is also to allow the candidate to decide if THEY want to work there. I see no problem asking about a dress code.

 

[sam_gordon]

There is an appropriate time to ask these types of questions and the first interview is not that time.

What if the first interview is the only interview? Not every place conducts multiple interviews for every job opening.

 

[luvsJack]

What if the first interview is the only interview? Not every place conducts multiple interviews for every job opening.

True, especially in child care. Normally they need someone to start yesterday so one interview is usually it.

 

[LiveYourLife]

Why would that not be an appropriate time to ask? The interview is also to allow the candidate to decide if THEY want to work there. I see no problem asking about a dress code.

Dress code falls under other interview no-no's such as, but not limited to: salary, vacation time, scheduling, etc.... These are things that can be discussed once the offer is extended. 99.9999999% of the time dress code will come up once the offer is accepted by the candidate, or on the first day reporting to work.