For team members that will be interviewed for the Dean’s List Award, should they wear their regular team gear, or dress up in a shirt/tie? Just wondering what the dress code for the interviews might be. Thanks
Our previous winners I believe managed to get away with just wearing their team shirt. Looking the part could definitely help though, but there isn’t much time at competition to change.
I just wore my team shirt. I did take off pins from other teams and a knight helmet though!
It shouldn’t have any impact, and personally I would just wear your team apparel.
Wear what best represents you. Most wear team apparel. For some students, dressing up might be part of their personality. If so, that’s awesome, go for it. However if that’s not something that works for you, then don’t bother.
I just wore my normal team t-shirt and a pair of joggers. Wear what you would have worn to the competition anyway. I wish your students good luck!
Wear their team gear! Be proud of the team who made you the finalist you are! Being a Dean’s List Finalist is all about the leadership and passion that you brought to your team, so don’t leave that behind for your interview.
When I won at MSC, I wore my team gear and I specifically remember having safety glasses on the entire time.
It’s not about what you wear; it’s about the person that you are.
Can confirm, 4901’s Dean’s List Finalist winner never changed out of her team shirt. (I don’t know if she even took her driver badge off.)
When going to an interview for anything, always dress appropriately for the situation. Interviewing for a position as a burger flipper at McDonalds doesn’t require terribly nice clothes, just presentable. Interviewing for a desk job as an engineer, on the other hand, probably requires better dress.
Honestly, the biggest benefit I find to dressing up when I interview for different jobs is in my personal confidence. Being the best dressed person in the room is uplifting and can boost your confidence, leading to a better interview. Almost every interview I’ve been in since I graduated I was interviewed by someone wearing jeans, and I could have dressed down quite a bit and still been alright. But I always wear a suit and tie, and it helps me mentally prepare for it more than other clothes would.
In this situation, team apparel is 100% appropriate. Those conducting the interviews know and understand what the program is about, they know it’s a fast paced competition. They know you won’t be wearing a suit in the pits while working on the robot, and that you don’t really have the time to go change before and after your interview. They expect those being interviewed to be the ones highest in demand by their teams, doing the hardest work. So look the part!
That said, do what you can to make yourself a little more presentable than what you may see around the pits. Avoid jeans with holes in them. Some teams have both t-shirts and polo’s or button ups, if so wear the nicer outfit that day. Remove all the excess of team buttons and other paraphernalia before you head in. Avoid stuff that is horribly stained, but if you happen to smear grease across your shirt that morning, own it! You can walk in and explain it right off the bat, giving you a chance to show off your technical or leadership skills by describing the situation that caused the big smear of grease.
Thanks for taking the time to respond
The Dean’s List Judge Manager for FIRST Chesapeake Districts has sent out the following message to the students “In addition, we encourage students to dress comfortably — they do not need to “dress up” for the interview — it is perfectly fine for them to wear their team T-shirts as decisions are not based on attire. Bottom line, if they are comfortable, they will interview better.”