What to Wear?
 

Would a suit seem too OTT or a faux pas for an initial yet informal FI interview? This will be my first ever FI interview.

Well considering if you get the job you'll be expected to wear a 'uniform' anyway - trousers, shirt, tie etc... then i think you should start as you mean to go on.
I don't think you should crack out your best Hugo Boss number but a smart outfit is the way forward...all about first impressions.

Good Luck!

If you're not used to wear a suit, don't in any case ! You'll only feel very uncomfortable. I would choose a shirt, matching tie and NO jeans NO sneakers, nikes, reeboks,..... Dress casual but 'sharp' so that you show respect to whoever you will meet.
If the school is impossing uniforms on their students and staff, pay double attention to your appearance.

Greetz and good luck.
J.

It is better to dress in a suit and not be required to, than dress in normal clothes and them expect a suit.
Job interviews, informal or formal and unless stated, should see you wearing a suit.

Hugo Boss? This suit is no ordinary suit, it's an M&S finest suit :)

I have spent a month earlier this year going to different companies on job interviews. I wore standard FI gear - white pilots shirt, black tie, black trousers, etc. I would say this is the minimum personally. It certainly helped get me work.

LOL...I'm sure the M&S suit will do the trick...:p

Bars... or a very sharp flying suit..with lots of badges.

Your best Irvine jacket and some really cool trousers from Camden market with pockets and stuff.

Seriously though the tip about not wearing something you are not comfortable in is good. I wore a pair of smart jeans to my last interview, It worked out OK.

Good luck.

Cap/ Jacket/Goggles and your Flight Bag:ok:

PA

A flightsuit, nomex gloves and 5 bars on each shoulder to demonstrate your pedigree.

If asked about experience to date, say "If it's got wings, I've flown it."

B&S ;)

As someone who is part of the recruitment process for new FI's now I would suggest that shirt and tie are minimum. Turning up in your day to day stuff immediately screams to me that you're not serious and dare I say lazy. I'm sure that some will disagree but it never hurts. I once turned up at a haulage yard in a suit. If you don't fit in it can be downgraded to a shirt and trousers.

What to wear
 

You have to remember that in a job interview you must stand out from all the other candidates. That is why Fancy Dress is the only option!!

Go for it and good luck!!

I think if you need to ask a question like this, then you should seriously question if you have the qualities required of a professional pilot or flight instructor.

And coming from an instructor(!) that comment beggars belief.... the only stupid question is the question you don't ask!

For an initial but informal (read the post those guys advocating suits etc!) meeting (I always think 'interview' is OTT for some FI 'jobs') I would opt for the standard instructor garb of today which appears to be shoes, black trousers, white (or blue) shirt and tie. You will look smart, look the part but more importantly will not look like some divvy who thinks that a flight instructor position is just like an ordinary office gig!

Be yourself, show savvy, dress like an FI.

Tidy. :cool:

VFE.

My first FI interview was on the phone so it was irrelevant, but for a subsequent interview I turned up with a tie on only to be told politely and in a friendly manner to take it off as it wasn't required and didn't fit in with the image they wanted at the school! Fine by me I hate ties!

We could spark a second thread about formal dress on FI's really couldn't we? Personally, I dislike wearing a tie for my job but understand they have their place in other pilot occupations such as airline or corporate pilot. A tie on a busy flying day restricts my comfort and creates an impression that is above and beyond the level of formality I seek to create between myself and the student. So I don't wear one. My boss is happy with that and it fits in with his own ethos. The other instructors are free to wear a tie if they so wish - that too is their decision.

VFE.

I just say to anyone wanting to instruct at our flying club "If the weather's OK when you come, we'll hopefully go for a quick trip. So just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. We're happy for our FIs to wear a club logo polo shirt and slacks - but if you feel happier in shirt and tie, that's fine - it's entirely your choice."

And the 'quick trip' is, of course, free of charge! Although the prospective FI will be asked to patter a few bits of various exercises, so that I can see whether he can fly and teach reasonably.

I don't wear a tie (but I am female). When it is cold I wear a scarf instead. White shirt and dark trousers and a dark jersey seem appropriate to me for most instructors. NO gold bars! However, I do take exception with this current fashion not to wear a belt on your trousers, which makes them hang underneath the paunch or off the back of your rear end, exposing your underpants. It looks so childish and scruffy and I cannot take anyone seriously who does not use a belt if there are belt loops in the trousers. It is just like leaving the laces out of your shoes...which should of course be leather and polished, not those clumpy huge plastic ones.

LIR :ok: spot on!

If I want so see someones underwear I'll go to Spearmint Rhino's (Oh Sh1t!, can't believe I just said that!)

BlueRobin, remember - you'll never get a second chance to make a first impression! Collar and cuffs - sorry tie!

Diverting the thread a little... what should a professional FI wear at work?

I'm not an FI, but I do know many of them. Many are good guys, but one or two appear to think they are God's gift to aviation; Captains bars etc, and boast that a 'real ATPL holder' (FI) wears an airline cap!

I know what my opinion is; over to you.

TCF

when the school is having a 'dresscode' for their students I feel FI's should wear the same gear, even when not stated in employment contracts. In my opinion you cannot motivate students to follow this dresscode if you as FI are not dressing accordingly yourself.
when teaching in a local club : disregard the uniform and the Xmass decorations.

...in my case what my employer tells me to wear. They consider a strict uniform code for staff is a part of their 'image'. It's not necessarily what I'd choose to wear myself but I've a free choice, wear it and stay, or...

This all despite some gentle rise-taking by a member of the aristocracy on the other side of the airfield, where it's 'dress down Friday' every day!

Cheers,
TOO

Personally I think it's a bit like tailoring your CV for a specific job. If you can, do a bit of homework on the school first. Then pick something suitable to wear. My first job has been at a school near Southampton and the dress code is smart casual which gives a comfortable atmosphere. The club house / office / dispatch point is a nice smart prefab which, whilst cosy, is small. There wouldn't be room for jutting epaulettes and caps in there....:)

TOO

Didn't rise.....despite extreme provocation today!

But Mrs Duchess is still sewing my bars onto the Pyjama's!

DD

(Damn...couldn't help myself!)

With regard to the general comments ref. ties, if your employer has the white shirt/black trouser code, do what a lot of the airline guys do ........wear a clip-on.
Looks smart and presentable around ops. and the offices and take the thing off in the aircraft.
Oh, and yes, defo no epaulettes and, please, clean shoes !, at least at the beginning of the day ! After all, the idea is to be recognised as an Instructor, isn't it ?

Anything goes these days

http://www.hot-screensaver.com/wp-my...line-pilot.jpg

As a female helicopter instructor, I sympathise with the questioner. After all, we're talking about an INTERVIEW, aren't we? Not what you'll wear for the job.

My first interview wasn't even that really. I was told, "I don't really need anyone, but drop in for a cup of tea if you like". A suit would have been over the top, I felt. I went in smart trousers and a jumper, and got the job.

However, the next time I had a similarly informal interview - except I knew someone was needed - I went in the same sort of gear. And the first question was would I mind wearing 'uniform', ie pilot's shirt and tie, if I worked there. Arggghhhh!!! I said it would be fine, but I wished I'd dressed more formally, so that I could prove that I could do formal.

So...I've been an instructor for five years, and I still don't know the answer to the question. I just hope I can stay put and not have to try for any other jobs.;)

Established FTO - suit. Didn't get the job.

Phoned and visited a rural PPL RF today - smart pullover and jeans (they are relaxed) - got the job :D

Got the job!
 

Congratulations BR!

'Hope you are happy there.

Broomstick.

Flying Blue Robins perhaps?

congrats

Sadly not, but there are other French types involved. :)