Kilted interviewing...

[Riverkilt]

Not sure if this qualifies for what you had in mind KCW,

Its common for me as a therapist to do many clinical intake assessments a week. A counseling intake assessment is a two hour interview of sorts that goes much deeper into a person's personal life than a job interview can.

So, new agency clients are meeting me for the first time.

Sometimes they comment about the kilt as we walk from the agency lobby to my office - maybe 200 feet of hallway.

Sometimes they ask sincerely about the kilt after their intake interview is completed.

Usually, they don't say anything.

I've decorated the back of my office door with a large collage of photos of kilted men so that sorta points out my interest in kilts.

Never had any "you're weird" comments to my face. Most appreciation seems to be from the gothic kids coming through in the criminal justice system.

My most common, and extremely gentle/polite response to questions is that I sit for a living and kilts just make sense for comfort...and yes I have Scottish, Irish, Celtic et.al. ancestry. I sometimes point out that there's a fashion boom for kilts in progress now and that more and more men are wearing them again, not just men of Celtic ancestry.

But, I think to your question, its never been a problem with clients or distracted from the interview process. Some expected jokes and teasing from coworkers early on. Today, I think if I showed up at work in pants it'd be more disruptive.

And, to clarify, I wear both solid color and tartan kilts to work; traditionals from Kathy's Kilts, Utilikilts, Freedom Kilts, Pittsburgh Kilts, AmeriKilts, RKilts, and even SportKilts (but only the new version with sewn down pleats).

Funny, when I wore pants to work I had a base rotation of five pair of chinos in a 5 pocket jeans cut. All my "fashion variety" was with different shirts.

Now, I have variety with the shirts, AND the kilts. A much more versatile wardrobe. I may not be much of a clothes horse, but I can't understand folks that wear the same thing to work day after day....unless they're real poor of course....

Don't recall where working kilted has been a problem since I started part time a year and a half ago and full time 4 months ago.

Looking back, growing a beard and growing my hair long 35 and 12 years ago respectively caused some problems at work back then due to actual, or perceived, customer reactions...kilts, no.

I wish I had time to take a week off, go to the big city and apply for a wide variety of jobs, and show up for the interview kilted...just to see what happens....

Once interviewed for a job bearded. Owner of the outfit said he'd hire me if I'd shave my beard. Told him, "Sure thing." then asked for my application back saying I'd forgotten to fill in some credentials. When he handed it over I put it in my inside pocket and excused myself. He babbled after me that he wanted the application form. Politely declined and left.

I'm too set on kilts now to waste time working for, or with, anyone who had a problem with my fashion freedom.

Ron