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A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I have a few camp interviews coming up and I was wondering what I should wear. Wearing a skirt seems like it would be overkill for a summer camp job but jeans almost seems too casual. Khakis?! I am definitely over thinking this one so help me out. What type of attire seems appropriate for an interview? |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | Business casual. A skirt might be all right--it depends on the skirt, of course--but not a suit, unless you have reason to believe the interviewer will be dressed formally (doesn't sound like you do). Khakis and a button-down shirt are usually a good choice. Not jeans, unless you're going to be onsite, and even then some non-denim casual pants would be better. Our former CITs were the worst offenders at this... wearing jeans and a tie-dyed shirt to the interview screams "yeah, I've already got this job and I don't need to try". |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I have an on-site interview/tour. Talk about not knowing what to wear! Luckily, the person who's interviewing me specifically said "dress down, we'll be walking around camp". I've decided on my nicest pair of jeans (dark denim), boots (in case we climb/go to the horse area), and then a nice shirt. I figure you can still dress up nice on the upper part of your body and be prepared for a camp tour. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I've heard that you should go one step up from what you would wear on the job (this goes for non-camp jobs as well). I don't remember where I heard that, but I would rather overdress then underdress. I would think Khakis and a botton/dress shirt would be fine. My director was highly impressed when a new staff member came dressed in a suit. I on the other hand showed up in jeans (but it was because we were on site and I was going to help rake leaves later, lol). |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | For camp interviews I would wear nice jeans (no tears or "aging") with a nice shirt. Just keep it cute but casual / professional. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | Coming from a director.... Working at cmap is a job and sometimes it's difficult for the director to weed out the people who are htere just to have fun and goof off. So I suggest that if interviewing in person, to "dress one up form normal wear on the job" has the person mentioned earlier or nicer. Don't be afraid to overkill, it will just show that you are serious nad want the job. I would be slightly discouraged if someone showed up for the interview in jeans because it is an interview afterall --- especially if they wanted a admin position. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I agree. Someone who showed up in jeans would make me question their professionalism. I think its far better to be over dressed than underdressed. If its a at-camp with a tour interview, khakis and nice shoes is good. If its an in-the-office tour, I would go up a step and wear nice pants or a skirt. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I was really impressed by an applicant's choice of dress on 2 occassions: 1-the young man was familiar with our camp property so i didn't interview him there, i asked him to come to my office (in the city). He came in a suit! It showed that he was serious about the job and wanted to make a good impression. 2-i interviewed a young lady at our camp property and she showed up in a suit and fancy shoes. I was glad that she took it so seriously, However, i was a bit worried because i wanted to take her on a walking tour of the camp, and it had been kind of muddy. I asked her how she thought about walking around with me. She asked me to give her 3 minutes. She went to her car and changed into hiking boots. we got a good laugh out of that...she was dressed to be taken seriously, for business, but was also prepared for the great outdoors! By the way, i hired both of these individuals. i think its entirely appropriate to wear khakis and a nice shirt to a camp interview. Just, please don't wear FLIP FLOPS!!!! that happened a few times, and really, that screams of unprofessionalism! |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I would say that a pair of dress pants and a nice shirt are pretty appropriate for a camp interview. If I was going to walking around on property, I would probably go with brown or grey dress pants though if possible as they may do better in the great outdoors than a pair of light khaki pants. I think shoes are the harder part for a girl since most of our dress shoes aren't going to do well walking around camp. A pair of leather flat shoes or nice tennis shoes could serve, or taking a pair along to change into for that part of it is a great idea. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | As a program director I agree with the other comments about business casual. Make your interviewer realize that you have taken the time to prepare for the interview. This will send a good message and makes them remember you and making an interview team remember you is never a bad thing unless it is for the wrong reason. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | I might have a face-to-face interview coming up, so I've been reading these posts with interest. Here's my question. Suppose i show up looking business casual: What if everyone else is in jeans and tee shirts, will i look like i am too professional to fit in with the culture of camp. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | Dress nice! Don't look like a schlub! A step above t-shirt & jeans...a step below coat & tie. No holes, no cleavage, & no questionable logos (i.e. beer, tobacco, etc...). If you're a guy...a polo, or nice long sleeve & slacks. I think jeans are a little too casual for a job interview. If you're a girl...I have no idea. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | Quote: Originally posted by Nort' Woods: Here's my question. Suppose i show up looking business casual: What if everyone else is in jeans and tee shirts, will i look like i am too professional to fit in with the culture of camp. I really don't think you should worry about that--the opposite is much more detrimental. Business casual really woouldn't stand out THAT much in a bunch of jeans. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | BUMP for Kerr. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | Hey Trees thanks for the BUMP, I have no problem figuring out what to wear AS someone being interviewed, I was just wondering what would change for someone interviewING |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | Yup, but the key is to have a good match between interviewer and interviewee... the interviewer can dress a bit better, but doesn't want to make the interviewee uncomfortable, yeah? |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | where what you wold where to camp. it makes sence for the director to see you in youre work clothes. might as well keep it real and be who you realy are. if your dressing up for a camp intervew then the director will expekt that all time. be yourself and dres what makes you comfortble. camp councilors need to be comfortble and if your not then your not being you. be you. dres like you. |
A Anonymous Unregistered | |
Anonymous Unregistered A | i know i personally am the riding director and work in the stables at my camp. which means i'm covered in dirt all day. i also typically wear wife-beaters and boxer shorts. i don't know what camp director would hire me if i showed up dressed like that. Just because you're interviewing to be a camp counselor does not mean you should not dress nicely. you can still be yourself, even in nice clothes. i have a tendency to wear some of my "camp jewelery" (ya know the stuff the kids and other staff make you) so i will wear that into the interview. it's my way of expressing myself while still looking nice. if one of my riding instructors showed up to an interview dressed in grungy camp clothes i probably would not hire them. if you can't take the time to make a nice impression for me (or whoever is hiring you) then how am i supposed to believe you will do it for the campers and their parents? it shows major unprofessionalism to show up in camp clothes to an interview. |
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I bring to the table a wealth of experience and knowledge in the realm of professional attire and interview etiquette. My insights are rooted in a deep understanding of the importance of presenting oneself appropriately, particularly in the context of job interviews. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article regarding interview clothing for camp positions.
The individuals in the discussion provide varied perspectives on what attire is suitable for camp interviews. Here are the key concepts discussed:
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Business Casual: The consensus leans towards business casual attire, avoiding overly formal or casual clothing. Suggestions include khakis, button-down shirts, and nice jeans.
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On-Site Interviews: For on-site interviews and tours, there's a balance between looking professional and being prepared for outdoor activities. Dark denim, boots, and a nice shirt are considered appropriate.
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Dressing Up for the Job: Some contributors emphasize the idea of dressing one step up from what you would wear on the job, portraying a level of seriousness and commitment.
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Individual Impressions: Personal anecdotes highlight the impact of well-thought-out attire. Examples include applicants wearing suits to demonstrate seriousness and adaptability to both office and outdoor environments.
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Avoiding Over-Casual Attire: Wearing jeans or flip-flops is discouraged, as it may convey unprofessionalism and a lack of seriousness about the job.
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Consideration for the Camp Culture: There's a discussion about whether dressing business casual might make an applicant seem too professional for a camp environment. The general sentiment is that business casual wouldn't stand out negatively.
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Matching Attire to Camp Activities: Practical considerations are mentioned, such as choosing clothing that suits outdoor activities if the interview involves a tour of the camp.
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Director's Perspective: Insights from a program director stress the importance of making a positive impression, indicating preparedness for the interview through attire.
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Matching Attire with Camp Work: Some emphasize that dressing in a way that reflects what one would wear while working at the camp is essential for authenticity and comfort.
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Professionalism in Dressing: There's a consensus that dressing nicely doesn't mean compromising one's personality. Expressing oneself through small details like camp jewelry is seen as acceptable.
In summary, the key takeaway is the significance of striking a balance between professionalism, authenticity, and preparedness when choosing attire for camp interviews. Each contributor provides valuable perspectives, contributing to a comprehensive guide on interview clothing for camp positions.
