wearing a kilt to a fire Dept. interview

**bubba** · 14th July 06, 02:42 PM

Worn with the proper shirt, tie and jacket I don't think it;ll be a problem. You might let them know you're also a piper (which they'll likely ask you anyway) and it might be a positive thing for you.

**GMan** · 14th July 06, 03:11 PM

First off good luck on your process!

As you are probably aware organizations exist that are founded by active and retired police and firefighters. My case in point is the Colorado Emerald Society. If Tuscon (or Arizona) has an organization like that you could probably find out about its proper attire in that case first, and go from there.

However getting the job is the number one priority, and not wanting to do something wrong may or may not get you employment.

Again good luck!

**David Thornton** · 14th July 06, 04:00 PM

No, no & no. Interviews are won or lost in the first few seconds. You have no possible way to know who is on the other side of the desk or their attitude to kilts. I wear my kilts WHEN I know my audience. I would not let an employee go on any first meeting in a kilt.
Now, don't think I'm anti-far from it. I found kilts for everyone that would wear one to our golf outing.
David

**pdcorlis** · 14th July 06, 05:36 PM

First I think you need to decide just how much you want/need this position. Second, I think you also need to understand if kilt wearing on the job is a deal maker or deal breaker for you. Wearing a kilt will certainly leave an impression - now just what that means depends on you - and the folks that interview you. Interviews are interesting event. Assume that everyone who makes it to the Q&A stage has roughly the same skills and abilities - at this point the chief and others are trying to decide if you will "fit" in the department and of course you are trying to decide exactly the same thing.

There are lots of books and websites that will give you tips and offer you techiniques for successful interviewing. My personal opinion is that after you get past the "stand tall, walk straight, and look people in the eye" part, lots of the rest is about gamesmanship in the interview process. My advice is... be yourself. After all that's all you really can be.

You may have noticed I haven't given you an opinion on wearing a kilt. Afterall, you are the only person in the world that can really make that decision. I will give you one small suggestion... to thine own self be true.

Good Luck no matter what you decide!

**Panache** · 14th July 06, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Blu (Ontario)

Will the kilt have anything to do with your work?
Will you be wearing the kilt to work?
Will the kilt be of some benefit or advantage to you at the interview?
Will the kilt express something of value that's important to the job?

Get the job first... worry about kilts later.

.

I am totally with Blu here!

Cheers

**SB996** · 14th July 06, 06:41 PM

Dealing with these organizations frequently they are all about conformity and the team. So then how do you be part of the team and make yourself standout from the rest of the candidates. A kilt can be a great first impression. It could also tell the panel that you are to much of an individual for there department. As you know form being a volunteer the officer that interviews you has his own set of prejudices. Interviews are supposed to be about equality and finding the best candidate but fire departments dont always work that way. I would think long and hard about this. As for not having a suit. Most fire guys are not suit guys either but they probably came up with one to interview. Good luck

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 14th July 06, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by pdcorlis

... to thine own self be true...

KFP, you have received some very good replies. Some people come down on the more conservative side and others come down on the do what you like side. I have to say that I agree with Phil on this one. No matter what everyone here counsels, it all comes down to you. You can be yourself, no matter what that means (i.e. I am a kilt wearer that understands when I should/should not wear a kilt, or I must wear a kilt regardless of what happens), or you can present a mask. I am facing that same issue with a client presentation next week. I wear a kilt to work everyday, since September of last year. But I find myself worried about a client's perception of my company, not me, if I attend a meeting with them kilted. Not rational, and my company probably supports me, but we are talking about a potential client that could easily bring multiple millions of dollars into our coffers.

I know I am rambling. I thought I was on cloud nine by being able to wear a kilt everyday, but I am realizing that there are situations in business where you have to suppress your own desires for the good of the business. Unless you don't really like that paycheck anyway...

**Pour1Malt** · 15th July 06, 01:30 AM

the kilt may bae the yin special thing thot maks ya stand oot as a confident, bold mon...

an get ya the job....

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 15th July 06, 03:39 AM

ok let me just say this......when I went to the testing ....I was one of about 12 guys that wore ( in my thoughts as a prospecitve candidate) acceptable clothes
I wore kahkis and a checked button shirt and the rest( of the 11 wore business slacks and button up ( white w/ a tie ) shirts or something to that effect) the rest of 66 candidates wore blue jeans and t-shirts. so I think im already ahead of the curve as far as first impressions..... I dont think the homophobia even comes into play here...... most of the firefighters I know around here ( which is alot since I started my career here) look fondly to the fact I play the pipes and am not afraid to wear the kilt ....hell one of the captains I work under for the reserve depts. his last name is O'Connor and he wears a kilt too......I wore my kilt to pick up my paycheck and he gave me a compliment about my "kit" as he called it........but thats THIS dept. ...... not the one I was testing for ......maybe I should have worn my kilt to the written test so they could see me and tell the oral board folks what to expect( again IF I make it that far)

Of course I would wear it properly ......white button up shirt and a tie( bow or windsor would be the question here ) black belt ,black rabbit fur sporran, gillies and off white hose..... no cover since its indoors....

I understand the conformity aspect...they want you to "mesh " with the rest of the crew
But .....I know that the "area" ( read NOT Tucson Fire) fire Depts. dont have an honor guard and might look favorably upon someone who ....plays the pipes ...wears a kilt ..... and does both with dignity and authority ....... so I am at a cross roads so to speak........ if i make it to the oral boards then I am in the top 16 (since they are only taking 8 ) ....do I take the chance and wear my kilts or do I ( in my mind ) look like the rest of the nozzle heads and wear a suit? it could help keep my responses to the questions ( hopefully right ) fresh in their minds and me in the fore front...... or sour them to some one that would be an outsider......... not that I would be ....but the whole conformity thing ......

I have some time to "mull it over" so .........
thanks for the responses so far .. it has given me things to concider.....

Scott........ I yam who I yam , but should I show who I yam

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 15th July 06, 03:50 AM

[QUOTE= I think a kilt shouts "JUEVOS AQUI!" louder than anything else.

Hope you go for it.

And, you gonna trek up to Flagstaff this weekend for the games??

Ron[/QUOTE]
I think so too but theres no way to know if they will think the same

as far as flag goes ..... alas no ...i dont have the fundage to make it this year .......maybe next time AFTER I get on the fire dept.!!!!!!!!

positive thinking and all