Jim Kata

So I am trying to get a job at a local snowboard shop that has a few stores in the Denver area.
I'm used to wearing suits to interviews since I always worked in the corporate world in a cubicle. but this is a totally different vibe. When I went to get the application today everyone was wearing normal street clothes that worked there. I don't want to over do it by wearing a suit but don't want to underdress by wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
Do you think nice pants with a collared shirt or nice pants with a button down collared shirt is good?
The job is just a snowboard technician. Nothing managerial.
What do you all think? what kind of clothes would you personally wear to an interview there?

skizziks

Go in wearing all Burton Gear and DC sneakers!

No, really, how about a clean t-shirt and clean jeans, you can wear them without looking tatty. Or clean jeans and a collared buttondown short sleeve shirt untucked. Wear what they are wearing so you look like you already fit in. Since its a snowboard tech job, I doubt attire matters too much, it will be attitude and knowledge. Mostly attitude. Dont overthink it.

Daniel_

Clean, smart, serious, casual.

A presed shirt, clean trousers or jeans. No tie. Shoes or trainers if they're no too run down.

Look like you respect yourself enough to present yourself well, and it shows that you respect them.

Good luck.

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Charlatan

I would still wear dress pants and shirt. If not that, then khakis and a nice white dress shirt.

Just because they are casual in the store doesn't mean you should be casual in the interview.

That said, avoid a full suit and tie for this one.

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Grancey

Ditto Charlatan on this one. I would never hire anyone who wore a t-shirt to a job interview. In addition to wearing clean and pressed dress pants/shirt or khakis/white dress shirt, tuck the shirt in and wear a belt.

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CinnamonGirl

*nod* My vote's for khaki pants and a nice button-down shirt.

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Supple Cow

Interesting advice from everyone. When I worked at a store like that, it was ALL about the vibe. If I had shown up in normal interview gear I think they would have politely contained their laughter until I left and then passed on hiring me. I say dress to match the vibe. Besides knowing how to handle the snowboards, the whole skill set they generally look for in places like this involves fitting in with and attracting the kind of people who snowboard.

If you feel like there is a chance that somebody with hiring power is some kind of stickler for traditional business clothes (and I can't imagine anybody like that sticking around at a snowboard shop long enough to be important), then wear the chinos with something like this:





Then again, I've never been to the Denver area and there is way more snowboarding going on there than there is in any of the places I've lived, so maybe there are so many snowboard shops that there ARE some who expect you to look like you would at an office job. It just sort of strikes me as unlikely is all. Good luck!

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dlish

try a polo shirt and jeans

just to look like you care about the job but not enough to say that you dont give a fuck

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Jim Kata

Awesome! Thanks for all the advice. I totally feel the match the vibe idea mixed with a little button down collar thing...it can be easily done.

Thanks again for the suggestions. Hopefully it will be goodbye cubicle world and hello doing something I'm actually interested in (for considerably less pay I'm guessing) from here on out.

kurty[B]

Jim? If you don't mind me asking which retailer in Denver are you applying for?

If its Christy Sports and they have the same management they had five years ago the first shirt Supple Cow posted and a nice pair of jeans (faded, not torn or worn) would be perfect.

Those stores are all about the attitude, if you show up in slacks and a pressed white shirt Supple Cow's reaction is what you will get. They will thank you for your time, usher you out the door and proceed to make fun of you afterwards.

I cannot speak for the other stores in the area. Good luck, and if you land a job with a store that distributes for Never Summer I might be swinging by for a visit.

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Jim Kata

Ahhhh the good ole Never Summer boards. I was tempted to get one of those but then saw one of last years MTX Gnu boards for a little over $200 so I may have to get that.

Colorado Ski and Golf. Unfortunately I lack any experience and will probably have to get trained on major repairs...but sometimes you just gotta try.