I have an extremely important job interview next week. I’m told I look good in bow ties and I’m considering wearing one- a relatively conservative red one with a paisley or stripe print- along with a blazer and dress shirt and slacks.
Do you believe this would be a major turn-off for a job as a librarian?
I don’t know anything about the personalities of the interview committee, and again said bowtie would not be costumey unless you consider a bow tie by definition costumey.
I wouldn’t say they’re an affectation, but for an interview I’d go as neutral possible. You never know how someone on the committee might feel.
Good luck!
I would never do it, and I would never suggest anyone else do it. People can be picky, interviewers included.
Nothing is more dweebish than a bow tie.
They’re definitely an affectation, but I still think some dudes can pull them off 100%.
You may not be able to bring that across in a single interview, though. “Go neutral” is good advice. Rock the bow tie after you get the job.
There’s something about a bow tie and a blazer that makes me think you’re in a 1930’s musical and you left your straw hat in the outer office.
I think a bow tie is acceptable with a suit. I think a blazer is acceptable with a necktie. I just don’t like the ideaq of a bow tie and blazer.
I think there’s more chance that the interviewers will consider you a weirdo than that they’ll be impressed by your sartorial elegance. I’d say no. Bring out the bow tie at your first office function.
For a librarian*…maybe. Otherwise I’d say no. Thing is, bowties look, well, they look silly, sorry. If you go in for an interview and your interview is great, you’re still ‘what about bowtie guy’. Most people that look good in a bowtie look better in a regular tie. IMHO, they’re meant to make you stand out not make you look good. After you get the job and people get to know your personality, maybe, but to be perfectly honest, it might be a strike against you in an interview, even if it’s an unwritten, totally superficial one that no one mentions. At best it’s neutral, at worst it could cost you the job. But no one’s going to look at you and say ‘what a sharp dresser’, even if you do look good in one.
Also, unless you’re wearing a tux, it screams hipster.
*I didn’t spell it right and spellcheck suggested “birdbrain”
If it’s a field where you’re supposed to be fashion forward and take sartorial risks, yes.
If you’re a 60-year old PhD yes.
If you’re auditioning to be a clown, yes.
Otherwise, no.
Interview for librarian job: Think about what is expected of a librarian and what items and colors best convey that: Navy suit, white shirt, navy tie. Might be different for other jobs but not librarian unless you want to work at this library: http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCEQyCkwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmZHoHaAYHq8&ei=Kq6sVISXGYqdyATi3oCABg&usg=AFQjCNGZdH6075lUI9Hg2eXvpydyalJLRQ&sig2=l0FBk6S_LzrxY4B0RmgpUA
For a job interview, I’d say that if you have any doubts then don’t wear it. A necktie is the safe choice. You can make more daring sartorial choices once you have the job.
ETA:
I’m a librarian and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a librarian wear a navy suit, white shirt, and navy tie. Not even at a job interview. When the male librarians I’ve worked with wear suits or blazers then they usually go with black or sometimes grey. We recently hired a new dean, and at his interview he wore a charcoal grey suit, white shirt, and striped tie.
[QUOTE=Lamia]
ETA: I’m a librarian and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a librarian wear a navy suit, white shirt, and navy tie. Not even at a job interview. We recently hired a new dean, and at his interview he wore a charcoal grey suit, white shirt, and striped tie.
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I actually own a charcoal grey suit and accompaniments, but wanted something with perhaps just a tad more flair. But, I think it’s a point well made that the bow tie will not win points while it might cost them.
On the other hand, my most recent library job I lost for being gay. That’s not paranoia: the c&nt in charge (think Dolores Umbridge) pretty much told me that gays are disgusting, though she lied about it later- as did her henchman witness (think Buffalo Bill if he had finished the woman suit), and I was fired 24 hours after I made a complaint about her to HR, so, if they would fire somebody for minor flamboyance, better perhaps not to work there to begin with.
OTOOH, I do really need the job…
I’ll go with the necktie.
Thanks to all for playing.
Good luck with the interview!
No, not for the interview. It is one of the first things they will talk about and always first. You want them to talk at the hiring committee about your credentials and ability to get along and get the job done and show up on time. A bow tie when meeting a man is usually the only subject of later conversation. They will compare you to Tucker Carlson and George Will.
You want to impress them, dig up some of your creative writing samples.
It depends on your personality and the type of job.
I think bow ties are cool (if they’re hand tied), but I wouldn’t wear one to a job interview. You don’t want to risk creating any waves and giving them an opening to discuss anything except your suitability for the position. Being “different” is good as long as you keep TPO in mind.
I quite like bow ties as well. Let us know if you land that job as a ventriloquist’s dummy! 
Seriously, I wish you all the best and hope you get the job. I agree with others who have said it’s something best left to when the interviewers are your co-workers – and not on the interviewing board.
Bow ties are only for clowns and some college professors.
Agree with this 100%.
Good luck!
Heavens no. Bow ties are fine for making a fashion statement, but interviews need to have a neutral canvas.
I’d avoid it. For a job interview, you need to dress as conservatively as you can. You don’t want to wear anything that has the slightest chance of making a bad impression.