Refused A Job.. For Being A Biker??

[2E]

Ok Im going to try to keep names of companies etc out of this for obvious reasons, but i wanted your opinion on it.:grin2

I recently attended an interview for a job arranged by a recruitment agency im signed up for.... they asked me to come and see them, which i did, and then proceeded to ask me a series of questions (sort of a pre-interview thing):grin2

they asked about my transport, and i pointed out my bike, they asked how it affected work, and i said it was simple and straightforward, i would commute to work on the bike, when i got to work, go into staff room, remove leathers and either a) have uniform on underneath, or b) change there.
:grin3

They said that was fine, all hunky dory, heres the interview time, address etc etc.:grin1

Knowing the location of the place was closer to my mothers i stayed there and tried to get a lift (rather than to ride) in the morning, which unfortunately they were late back and thus i was forced to ride to the interview for fear of being late.:reading

I arrived on time (time to spare) and wanted to remove my leathers (had trousers on underneath and shoes in the topbox) but there was nowhere to do so, the location was a big industrial site, and was very busy.. so i packed everything i could (helmet, jacket, etc) in the topbox and went into the building in my shirt, tie, and leather bottoms.

The guy created me with a 'Hello -----, unfortunately, we dont seem to have your C.V. here...' which i explained was odd, as the agency said they emailed it over to them... i said i would get onto them after and arrange for another to be sent, he accepted that and said to sit down.

Interview seemed to go ok, i asked valid questions, including uniform regulations, hours of work, salary.. all the normal, not once did he comment on my attire.:reading

After the interview i phoned the agency to explain the c.v. problem and to tell them i thought it went well...

A few days later i receive a phone call saying i hadn't got the job because i turnt up in my leathers?? i queried the problem with this and was told simply 'we told you not to turn up in leathers..(which they didn't) you said you could change...(which i couldn't)':shooter

I asked if there was any other reason, and there was none given, other than the fact i turnt up in leathers??:mad:

To me, that sounds like discrimination??:(

The location of the place was nowhere near public transport.. no bus stops, and at least an hours walk from the train station... the quickest and easiest way to get there was my own transportation...:shooter

Now i can understand jobs where needing a car is a necessity, such as carrying wine or such.. but this was office based.. sitting behind a desk or various roles, none needed you to travel...:shooter

I have no problem with not getting a job, but not getting a job because i choose to wear safety gear on the bike is the worst excuse i've ever heard!!! Even the job centre agent i spoke to today agreed with me that it was a pathetic and unfair excuse.:grin3

Your thoughts??

[STEALTH52]

2E you cant really turn up for an office job interview in leather trousers & a shirt, it hardly makes a good impression you must of looked a right state....! If there was no where to take your leathers off you should have don it outside, you cant expect them to have a public changing room!

Surely you could of got a train/Bus & then a Cab to the place...??? I cant see an Industrial estate not having some sort of public transport somewhere near by! Everyone i know of does...

Once you've got the job you can turn up in what you want providing you change once at work....But first impressions are a must.

If you had of got the job you would still have been in the same situation with getting changed...so he probably thought, if you cant be bothered to change for an interview you wouldn't bother the next time...

[Lateshift]

absolutely astounded that you think this is strange 2E :D

you are invited to an interview and you go looking like you are on your way to a fancy dress party? :D

seriously, Worzel Gummidge can turn up for an interview for the job of a scarecrow without any problems, but turning up for an interview in leather bottoms and shirt and tie is begging to be laughed at by any interviewer that has ever watched Village People, Kenny Everett or Chips for that matter :D

[STEALTH52]

absolutely astounded that you think this is strange 2E :D

you are invited to an interview and you go looking like you are on your way to a fancy dress party? :D

seriously, Worzel Gummidge can turn up for an interview for the job of a scarecrow without any problems, but turning up for an interview in leather bottoms and shirt and tie is begging to be laughed at by any interviewer that has ever watched Village People, Kenny Everett or Chips for that matter :D

Im not the only one that thought it then!

[Liokaiser]

2E, without being too blunt, they were not being disciminant because your a biker. You didnt get the job because you didnt take your leathers off, plain and simple.

Now, as awkward as it may have been, why didnt you slip your leathers off outside when you got off the bike, took them in with you, and ask if you could put them somewhere whilst you had the interview?

You need to stop trying to find faults and reasons, other than your own, as to why you keep getting yourself into these situations.

[v8-powered]

To be truthful if I was to interview someone for a job and I have done on many occasions and they turned up in motorbike gear and the obligatory bikers 'helmet hair', I doubt I would consider them either.

First impressions count for a hell of a lot regardless of the position being offered - A simple cab ride may have got you the job. Iy may have cost you £10 or £20 but it would have paid in the long run....

[TALLTONE]

Im not the only one that thought it then!

I think you got that spot on. Come on 2E pull your finger out. Keep trying though you,ll get there.

[Stokesy]

Why could you of not gone in 5mins early asked where the toilets were and got changed in there. That would of made a better 1st impression. Sorry to say that dude but as a manager thats the sort of thing I would like to see. Hope this helps you out for your next interview.

[2E]

To be truthful if I was to interview someone for a job and I have done on many occasions and they turned up in motorbike gear and the obligatory bikers 'helmet hair', I doubt I would consider them either.

First impressions count for a hell of a lot regardless of the position being offered - A simple cab ride may have got you the job. Iy may have cost you £10 or £20 but it would have paid in the long run....

my hair was shaven, helmet hair was impossible ;)

This is the problem 'if someone turnt up in motorbike gear.. i wouldn't give them the job'

Why??:grin1

What reason does the fact that someone turns up for a job wearing protective gear give for refusing a job??

Yes ive seen people riding on scooters in suits.. its something i refuse to do and should think everyone else would too.. whether or not you had an interview, a wedding to get too, whatever..

Its not going to affect the way you work whether you come into work on a bike or in a cab..
sitting behind a desk nobody knows if your wearing trousers, leathers, or a skirt for christ sake? and with a job where all your 'customer relations' are done over the phone what would it matter if you had bright pink hair?? :grin2

They dont know who you are, what you look like or what your wearing.:grin3


Now let me just say this, i aint stupid when it comes to interviews, i scrub up, and usually wear a suit and tie.. on the one occasion i dont it p!sses me off with the fact that the attire is the issue, whether or not i looked a state.. which i didnt, ironed shirt, tie.. i couldnt remove the leathers in the middle of a busy dirt road.. i was hoping there was a cafe with toilets nearby but there wasnt.. and there was no bus stops either (a bus depot was nearby so the bus routes ended here ;))

Like i said, nothing against being refused a job, but when employers are blatantly not man enough to say so to your face it does my head in!!:grin3

[STEALTH52]

2E are you not listening to anyone? You had a shirt, tie & leathers on, you looked a state trust me.

You cannot turn up for an interview dressed in bike gear, people want to see that you made an effort & it doesnt look like you made an effort at all, There is no point arguing the fact, you know as well as i do you could of got a train in to where it was & then a cab to the address.

Not being Nasty but you say your not stupid when it comes to interviews but you've been unemployed for ages! Doesn't say much does it???

Pull you finger out!

[Liokaiser]

2E, it doesnt matter what job you go for these days, first impressions do count. It shows that you CARE about making an impression.

I manag lifeguards where i work, and they wear t-shirts and shorts all day, and those who turn up for jobs in jeans.tracksuits etc are turned away at the door. When they ask why i tell them, because they didnt make an effort to dress to impress if you will.

Hell, im a maintenance manager, i get covered in grease, oil, grime, ****, chlorine, acid and all manner of things every day, and i still wore a suit for the interview, knowing full well that i wouldnt have to when i got the job.

Gone are the days where the employee's standards differ depending on what line of work they are in.

I understand your predicament with having nowhere to change, but come on, you said you were early, which is an achievement in itself, you could have gone in and asked to change out of your leathers.

[DoodleBug]

TBH I have turned up for an interview in full gear, during an absolute stinker of a rainstorm, so I looked awful. I got the job, but I pre-warned them about my attire as I wasnt at home when they called me in, plus the sort of jobs I go for my CV is enough, you don't yet have that luxury.

It stinks, it annoys me a little, BUT, first impressions count.

Also whilst you are interviewing grow some hair, shaved heads put people off as much as scruffy clothes, beards can be no no as well, aparently they scare people.

Chalk it up to experience, learn from it and move on.

[2E]

2E, it doesnt matter what job you go for these days, first impressions do count. It shows that you CARE about making an impression.

I manag lifeguards where i work, and they wear t-shirts and shorts all day, and those who turn up for jobs in jeans.tracksuits etc are turned away at the door. When they ask why i tell them, because they didnt make an effort to dress to impress if you will.

Hell, im a maintenance manager, i get covered in grease, oil, grime, ****, chlorine, acid and all manner of things every day, and i still wore a suit for the interview, knowing full well that i wouldnt have to when i got the job.

Gone are the days where the employee's standards differ depending on what line of work they are in.

I understand your predicament with having nowhere to change, but come on, you said you were early, which is an achievement in itself, you could have gone in and asked to change out of your leathers.

:clap~+ rep for that.

I admit i didnt think to ask for the toilets (didnt need the toilet doh!:rolleyes:) but still, valid point about gone are the days and that... it shouldnt make a difference but it does.. ahh well we live and learn..

on a side note that reminds me.. i need to go to another agency tommorow...;)

[superstacker]

I appreciate we chatted on the phone earlier bro, and i can't sit on the fence with this, the guys here do have a point really...

You could have even slung the leathers onto the bike to go in for the interview...

I appreciate thats its difficult when a bike is your form of transport, and in your case you couldn't get there by other means.. FWIW i would have driven you myself if i'd have been at home.

People still have a certain preconception about bikers, its wrong i know but its simply the way of the world..

Now you can take this two ways, You can blast me for not backing my brother up, blame the company for discriminating against you, and continue as you are..

or you can take heed of the advice on here, "chalk it up to experience", take it as a lesson learnt about job interviews and go down the agency tommorrow morning early doors and express your urgent requirement to start working...

Im no expert on job interviews, lucky for me i only needed one really, but rest assured had i turned up in bike gear to the AFCO i wouldnt be where i am today...

*Dammit i should have worn bike clothes*

[Lateshift]

You are going for an interview full stop,

The purpose of the interview (trust me i do this daily ;) ) is to see whether or not you are suitable for the job, and give you the chance to sell yourself to the interviewer, you have got to leave them with "i want that person for the job"

Big organisations like the Military don't really worry about it because we want large numbers, its only when we look at the sought after jobs where we need to 'screen' or filter out applicants that we start to take an interest in their dress code.

However smaller companies and very likely the one you applied for through the agency, have vacancies to fill urgently, if they have 100 applicants and are going to screen out 50 through CV and application alone, they are narrowing down what they are looking for straight away.

The rest is down to either selection testing, handwriting, appearance, character/personality, the list is endless, ultimately they are going to look for bad points aswell as good points in an effort to pick the right person.

First impressions count, that starts from your application/letter, your CV and any phone calls you make enquiring too.

But the big one, is the impression you make when you walk through the door and shake their hand ;)

They won't be looking at your face half of the time, they will be drawn to whatever catches their eye, in your case a pair of bike leather sprouting a shirt and tie ;)

Alarm bells would have been ringing by that point :D


If you are going for an interview it pays to aim to get there half an hour before, if needs be dont go straight in, sort yourself out, compose yourself, think about your greeting and then try to flow naturally :)


Probably rambled on a bit there, but having spent at least 6 of the last 10 years as an interviewer and having interviewed probably in excess of 500 people in that time, it really is common sense stuff :)

[rightchoiceinsurance]

2E, not trying to be personal and we have never met but in the short time I have been a member I understand you failed to reply to a member on here about a job offer, done some work for a member then went sick, failed to turn up for an interview with me and now turned up for an interview inappropriately dressed, either you dont really want to get a job or you dont listen to good advice, only you know the answer.
As someone who has interview many 100's of people over the passed 15+ yrs I can tell you im not suprised you are struggling to get a job, ask yourself what the company are looking for in a good employee:-
Puntuality & Reliability
Smart and well groomed
Honesty
Eagerness
With your passed performance how do you think you would fare against the list, if you really do want a job take all these comments on board and learn from from them mate, this is advice not a put down so make of it what you want

[crescent750]

This is the problem 'if someone turnt up in motorbike gear.. i wouldn't give them the job'

Why??:grin1


So why don't you on your next interview just turn up in a pair of pants..??
And see what they say then...

[T312]

Leather trousers, shirt & tie?
Ideal if you are going for a job as a bouncer at a fetish club.

Still, better luck next time.

[kasandrich]

IMHO I think the company is at fault for not making provisions for bikers, 2E did go prepared with a pair of trousers he did not find the facilities to change. With him as the visitor why did the receptionist offer him somewhere to change out of his leathers rather than him having to ask?

When I go to other companies as a visitor I am often offered a coffee, I have never asked for a coffee when it has not been offered, it is up to the host to offer facilities. Many offices now have toilets in the reception area, but many do not.

2E why not email the interviewer, explain that motorcycle is your chosen mode of transport but you would not expect to wear leathers in the office you would change on arrival, and that on the occassion of the interview you did indeed have a pair of trousers with you but you could not find suitable facilities outside of their office and you were not offered changing facilities on arrival and ask for the opportunity to pop back and see him to demonstrate that you can look presentable, .......then turn up in a suit, and make sure you look really sharp. You have nothing to lose, he can only say no, he may respect you for having the b@lls to come back to him on the matter.

[Lateshift]

IMHO I think the company is at fault for not making provisions for bikers


err have i missed something here Rich? it's the company that is offering him the interview, are they expected to do all his preparation for him too? :D

Sorry but i think that is completely arse about face, and it goes completely against the norm, the company doesnt have to offer him anything other than a job/person specification, its up to him to do everything else.

So its the companies fault that he turned up for an interview half dressed?

Of course it wasn't.


So its the companies fault that they never anticipate someone turning up half dressed and therefore dont offer changing facilities?

Well granted a receptionist 'could' have taken pity on him and pointed out the toilets, but just suppose that receptionist was sat there minding their own business and thinking "strange bloke turning up for an interview dressed like that" could it not be that they assumed they were dressed ready to go? hmmm maybe the interviewee should be the first person to ask ;)

And now he should email or contact the interviewer for a second chance??

First impressions are just that, and on a job interview you get your chance to shine, once its over its extremely rare to get a second chance, and why should someone unless there has been some total confusion over the job/person spec?


Sorry Rich, but ultimately this is a job interview we are talking about here.

The 6 P's

Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents a **** Poor Performance



Job interviews are about impressing someone enough to give you a job, discrimination might come into it as to why someone didn't get a job but there is nothing under 'Adverse impact' etc to suggest that they have to provide suitable facilities for someone that arrives in bike leathers and doesnt have the sense to ask if they can then change first ;)

[kasandrich]

I think that has all been said before Lateshift.

Wouldn't it be nice to find it common place to arrive in an office, to find changing facilities in the reception area? Things like this only happen if somebody is bold enough to suggest it.

This is where bikers should be pulling together to campaign for these sort of facilities and acceptance. Not rubbish each other for suggesting it.

I was trying to add something to the conversation, there is nothing to stop him explaining and asking for a second chance is there? he has nothing to lose, the worst that can happen is he gets a reply saying "No", as I said, he may get respect for having the gumption to ask for a second chance, depending on the job, resilience and tenacity could be qualities they are aftrer.

[DoodleBug]

Rich, in theory you are right, but unfortunately we don't live in such an enlightened world, is peeves me ALOT, but it is a fact.

Funniest thing I ever saw was a courier walk in to a place and some mutton dressed as lamb woman sneer and show obvious distain towards his appearance. At which point he simply said "You do realise my crash helmet costs more than all that crap you are wearing?". She went quiet.

Unfortunately we are looked down apon, in general, as riff raff.

[Bones2007]

The 6 P's

Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents a **** Poor Performance





Maths is obviously not a strong point then!:grin2

[SradChris46]

Whats wrong with changing outside? You want the job bad enough, you would do anything to get it!

[The Guvnor]

Why didnt you just put your suit on and take the bus/train ?

[DJMCJERICO]

Maybe your leathers were just the reason they gave but the problem was something else!
When I used to sit interviews and an agency called to ask the reason why we had not taken on certain people being truthful was not always the best way, It would hardly be professional to tell the agency that their client had bad body odour, stunk of cigars or spoke like a chav.

You need to cover all angles, maybe give the interviewer a call back and politely ask how you could better your technique for your future applications.

[Lateshift]

Maths is obviously not a strong point then!:grin2

I was going to add it as 7 but because its not supposed to include **** i forgot :D

but it served a purpose :D


Rich, i am not sure this has anything to do with biking whatsoever, why do you need changing facilities in a reception area? just in case they ever need to interview someone that turns up late enough to not be able to get changed?

That might sound like nit picking but why would a company shell out money to incorporate a changing area type facility at the shop front so to speak? Most have them for 'their' employees but have we gone that far that we now have to think ahead to cater for potential employees in that respect? is it not enough that discrimination regulations pretty much cater everything already?

The issue here is nothing to do with biking, its about (and that is if it is actually that, bearing in mind there are 3 sides to every story and the interviewer isnt here to actually to provide input ;) ) it's about someone turning up for an interview looking like a 1 man "new age" band ;)

I do see where you are coming from but i refuse to concede that a company has to make allowances for potential employees who arrive late for interview (taking into account that they may need to get changed).

When all is said and done, if you are applying for a job you do everything you can to sell yourself, this wasnt the case ;)

On the point of asking them to reconsider, fair comment but that then discriminates against people who only got one chance and failed on other stuff does it not? ;) how about a best of three? :D

[NinjaMad]

personally if i had a someone come for an inteview and was dressed like that my first thought would be, well they dont seem to want to make an effort with they appearance so would they make and effort to there work?? Not being funny, but if you went by bus or train and got a lift and was in suit etc then got the job, then you can turn up in what you like after that but for an interview HAHA no way, you make a 500% effort you want the job there offering, they are not fussed if they get you or not because at the end of the day someone else will be along after!

[bikermad]

i went for a job interview at tescos (part time in younger years) and i was on a moped with all bike safety gear on but i got changed outside in car park went in with a suit on - it paid off and i got the job - but ii got there earlya and got changed and then went outside and put it back on - point is i still wore a suit even on a moped underneath my bike gear

[stu600cc]

2E please post a pic of wat you where wearing

[rovens]

2E, i dont really know what jobs you have been looking at, but how far do you live from a supermarket or a McDonalds 9or other fast food place). Summer holidays are coming and thats Maccy D's busiest time, they will employ pretty much anybody. Even if you only stay there for the summer whilst looking for a better job at least you would have money coming in.

[Danjaman6669]

2E please post a pic of wat you where wearing

:suprised1thats a bit kinky aint it :laugh1

[Doninha Princesa]

Can see your point Cal, but as has been said, it only took a bit more of an effort, and it may well have been something completely different to your attire that prevented you, in order for it not to happen again, listen to the advice, and prepare in the future. You know i will defend you, and i dont slag ppl or decisions off on open forum, but im just sayin, ive turned up to an interview before, in the pouring rain and stood outside gettin outta my leathers and boots coz id rather turn up in soggy socks, smart if slightly damp trousers/shoes and shirt (just like the other soaked 4 hopefulls in the waiting room) than in full leathers coz i knew there wasnt anywhere to change inside. It might be a pain in the arse, but hell, its for you, your not getting a job for anyone else, your getting a job for you. put that extra bit of thought into it, and one day you'll get it spot on and this will be a well done 2e on the new job thread im replying too.

Good luck mate.



(BTW, just for the point, didnt get the job i changed for.......... but i know it was lack of experience not the fact that i turned up on a bike coz the interviewer only noticed that at the end and we then had a half hour chat about bikes coz she'd just bought her other half a ducati for his birthday! Nice present to wake up to!!!)

[samirk1981]

I have to agree with the general consensus here, and 2E, you should have dressed properly.

A company owes you nothing but a bit of common courtesy in an interview. Everything else is down to you. My fiance recently spent over over £150 on trainfares to london attending several interviews in london over a two week period, the companies (big name banks) have not offered to recompensate her! So don't be tight and use better transport. :grin2 I hate to say it but bikes have their limitations!

Either turn up in enough time to get changed, or find alternative transport. And if you absolutely have to go on your bike, and have a very good reason (like you have been given very short notice about the interview), then pre-warn the company about your attire so it will not surprsie them.

[bayonet]

The last job interview I did, I turned up in leather jeans, motocross boots a t-shirt, a waterproof fabric jacket and carrying a crash helmet. Got the job no problems. Probably have been different if it hadn't been a motorbike instructor's job though.:grin2

[Comfortably Numb]

The last job interview I did, I turned up in leather jeans, motocross boots a t-shirt, a waterproof fabric jacket and carrying a crash helmet. Got the job no problems. Probably have been different if it hadn't been a motorbike instructor's job though.:grin2


/hands coat and shows the door

[lap_time]

I'd rather see people in their normal attire - would tell you more about them. Any monkey can put a suit on (or given this thread, maybe they can't ;)).

Being able to wear a suit doesn't make you any better at your job. I know that appearances count in certain industries, but I think it's a shame.

[gazmound]

2E, i dont really know what jobs you have been looking at, but how far do you live from a supermarket or a McDonalds 9or other fast food place). Summer holidays are coming and thats Maccy D's busiest time, they will employ pretty much anybody. Even if you only stay there for the summer whilst looking for a better job at least you would have money coming in.

You have been repped :)

I myself work for Maccy D's for nearly 18 months - Trainee Floor Manager now. We will basically employ anybody and most people do only stay for 4, 5 or 6 months. Only the sad ones amongst us hit double figures - damn me! :D

However money is money - and if it only fills up your tank and keeps the bike on the road, its better then nothing surely. We are currently quite well off for staff in some stores, whereas some stores are now having to shut their doors early as staff shortages mean no customer service - believe me. I know!

Put in an application - whats the worse that can happen.

Ginger Tooey. Gazmound.

[rovens]

Mate ive been at Maccy D's for 6 years now, was there while i did my a levels and while i was a uni and im still there. My salary isnt too bad and its a **** easy job.

[ben@gerickes]

As an employer regardless of what the job is or what the person is required to wear, id still be looking at someones appearence purely to judge their personal standards. Its not their responsibility to give you a place to change buddy, an interview is about you convincing an employer your better then everyone else.

I guess unlucky for you it didnt work out that time. Next time get the bus!

[CBR-Dave]

last interview i had was in london twice, cost me about £80 in train tickets in total and then one in swindon which i cant remember as it pains me how much it was, always in suit at the interview but on train was in jeans and t-shirt, got changed in the loo's.
cant remember who made the point that its YOUR responsibility to look professional at an interview (use some initiative and ask for somewhere to change) or change in car park. it shows you think on your feet and care about the interview and job.
I vet people bringing in CV's to work as i always end up with the CV's.
Anyone turning up inappropriatly dressed goes straight in the bin and i talk to them briefly to find out a bit about them b4 handing the CV to the boss as he always likes others opinions.
when a company gets lots of CV's you need to get the numbers down straight away or you'll be interviewing for ever.