The Student Room Group

Meter reading job interview; dress code?

Would a suit be necessary? I was thinking smart jeans with a shirt and sweater. That's what I've worn before to a Royal Mail job and a security job and it didn't seem to be a problem.

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Reply 1
Jeans... At least wear smart trousers or formal trousers. In the way you dress, you present yourself to the employer. Suit is not necessary as long as you don't turn up with jeans or chinos. It depends on company's dress code.
Reply 2
Original post by ForgetMe
Jeans... At least wear smart trousers or formal trousers. In the way you dress, you present yourself to the employer. Suit is not necessary as long as you don't turn up with jeans or chinos. It depends on company's dress code.


So should I wear a shirt with no tie with it?
The jobs people do... unbelievable.
I would dress smartly - in chinos, and a jacket. If you turn up looking like a scruff, they may think that you will go to houses looking the same way. (you probably will look scruffy going to houses - some of those meters are in silly places)

Dress well but not over the top - and good for you doing that job. Interacting with the general public is often difficult and will be good for your CV.
Reply 5
Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil
The jobs people do... unbelievable.


Haha, I'm not really expecting a horrible job, it's just electricity meter reading. I've had people come to my house before, it's just a quick 10 second job - and someone had to do it!
Reply 6
Original post by squeakysquirrel
I would dress smartly - in chinos, and a jacket. If you turn up looking like a scruff, they may think that you will go to houses looking the same way. (you probably will look scruffy going to houses - some of those meters are in silly places)

Dress well but not over the top - and good for you doing that job. Interacting with the general public is often difficult and will be good for your CV.


I don't have any chinos so I guess I'll just swap that for suit trousers. Thanks!
Original post by S'Class
Haha, I'm not really expecting a horrible job, it's just electricity meter reading. I've had people come to my house before, it's just a quick 10 second job - and someone had to do it!


How about getting a job that is actually somewhat intellectually challenging? Something that would actually look good on your CV and couldn't be done by some untrained hobo?
Reply 8
Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil
How about getting a job that is actually somewhat intellectually challenging? Something that would actually look good on your CV and couldn't be done by some untrained hobo?


How about I finish my studies first and get experience in something so such jobs would be open to me?
Original post by S'Class
How about I finish my studies first and get experience in something so such jobs would be open to me?


It's too late then. Doing stupid work will not get you relevant experience for anything. And once you graduate, you should move up another step anyway and do highly conceptual and creative work. If you've only read meters before, the jump will be too large.

Try to get an admin job with plenty of development opportunities and where you can bring in your own ideas - reading meters hardly provides that. A good starting point for that would be your university or its students' union. If you're good with IT offer to build spreadsheets/presentations for your uni's accounting/marketing department. There's ALWAYS a better option than physical, repetitive work.

People have such low standards for themselves, no wonder they're unemployed after uni then.
Reply 10
Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil
How about getting a job that is actually somewhat intellectually challenging? Something that would actually look good on your CV and couldn't be done by some untrained hobo?


You mean like your Master's?

Who the **** councelled you to do an MA instead of an MBA.... and you want to be go back into consulting, laughable.
Reply 11
Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil
It's too late then. Doing stupid work will not get you relevant experience for anything. And once you graduate, you should move up another step anyway and do highly conceptual and creative work. If you've only read meters before, the jump will be too large.

Try to get an admin job with plenty of development opportunities and where you can bring in your own ideas - reading meters hardly provides that. A good starting point for that would be your university or its students' union. If you're good with IT offer to build spreadsheets/presentations for your uni's accounting/marketing department. There's ALWAYS a better option than physical, repetitive work.

People have such low standards for themselves, no wonder they're unemployed after uni then.


Believe me I've tried. Why would I do this if I could get a job with better prospects? They all want experience which I don't have.

When you don't have a job people tell you to get off your backside and find something, anything, to get off the dole. Thankfully, I haven't been in that position, but I'm doing my best to not get into it.
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 12
Original post by S'Class
So should I wear a shirt with no tie with it?


Yes, you can :smile: I wore formal trousers, formal shoes, formal shirt and simple vest with no tie at all for my hospital interview :smile:

Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil
It's too late then. Doing stupid work will not get you relevant experience for anything. And once you graduate, you should move up another step anyway and do highly conceptual and creative work. If you've only read meters before, the jump will be too large.

Try to get an admin job with plenty of development opportunities and where you can bring in your own ideas - reading meters hardly provides that. A good starting point for that would be your university or its students' union. If you're good with IT offer to build spreadsheets/presentations for your uni's accounting/marketing department. There's ALWAYS a better option than physical, repetitive work.

People have such low standards for themselves, no wonder they're unemployed after uni then.


Even for admin jobs you need a lot of experience. Actually, people are more unemployed when they have high standards after University and say that they will never work in a supermarket etc.
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 13
Original post by S'Class
Believe me I've tried. Why would I do this if I could get a job with better prospects? They all want experience which I don't have.

When you don't have a job people tell you to get off your backside and find something, anything, to get off the dole. Thankfully, I haven't been in that position, but I'm doing my best to not get into it.


Ignore him dude, he's a tool.

Clothes you mentioned in your OP seem absolutely fine for the type of interview, don't worry about the tie but do wear a shirt.
Reply 14
Original post by NW86
Ignore him dude, he's a tool.

Clothes you mentioned in your OP seem absolutely fine for the type of interview, don't worry about the tie but do wear a shirt.


Thanks for the advice :smile:
Reply 15
Original post by ForgetMe
Yes, you can :smile: I wore formal trousers, formal shoes, formal shirt and simple vest with no tie at all for my hospital interview :smile:


Thank you :smile:

I'll just forget you now...
Reply 16
Original post by S'Class
Thank you :smile:

I'll just forget you now...


Aww :teehee: :sad:

Original post by NW86
Ignore him dude, he's a tool.

Clothes you mentioned in your OP seem absolutely fine for the type of interview, don't worry about the tie but do wear a shirt.


Of course he will wear a shirt, no one goes with a bare chest :teehee:
Original post by NW86
You mean like your Master's?

Who the **** councelled you to do an MA instead of an MBA.... and you want to be go back into consulting, laughable.


You mean counselled? Nobody.

As a business graduate (who has subsequently worked in that field) there's no point in doing an MBA, which is another generalist business degree. An MA, which is more specialised - and as a pleasant side effect, much cheaper - and easier to tailor to a students' profile makes much more sense.

And I don't only 'want to be go back' into consulting, I AM back in Consulting. What's so difficult about '12-?? to understand?
Reply 18
Original post by TitanicTeutonicPhil
You mean counselled? Nobody.

As a business graduate (who has subsequently worked in that field) there's no point in doing an MBA, which is another generalist business degree. An MA, which is more specialised - and as a pleasant side effect, much cheaper - and easier to tailor to a students' profile makes much more sense.

And I don't only 'want to be go back' into consulting, I AM back in Consulting. What's so difficult about '12-?? to understand?


Just because you have a job dont think you should be judging others who may be finding it more difficult
Original post by ForgetMe
Even for admin jobs you need a lot of experience.


Not really. A bright mind, quick apprehension, strong marks, and good IT and communication skills were enough for me and my circle of friends to get in.

Original post by ForgetMe
Actually, people are more unemployed when they have high standards after University and say that they will never work in a supermarket etc.


That's true - but what people don't get a job in their chosen field after graduation? I have trouble respecting those as they must have done pretty poorly on their degree or clearly lack other essential skills.

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