What to wear for job interview at a gym?

LorinaLynn
LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
edited October 2024 in Chit-Chat
I've been out of the loop a long, long time. My last job interview was about 8 years ago to be a vet tech and they said right off the bad (I mean BAT... freudian slip there!), "Don't dress up. Just wear jeans." Before that, all my jobs were office or department store, so I wore casual dress clothes.

I have an interview tomorrow at a gym. And my entire wardrobe consists of clothes that are huge on me, gym clothes, and stuff that's a cross between Fran Drescher and Gloria on Modern Family. Tight, shiny and sparkly. :embarassed:

I probably have some decent slacks that will at least look ok if I wear a belt, with a blouse of some sort. Even though the employees wear track pants or khakis and polos, I just think it's important to give the impression that I'm somewhat professional, right?

But I'm bringing my gym clothes and hitting the weights and treadmill as long as I'm there!

Replies

  • gennybunny1
    gennybunny1 Posts: 209
    Personally I would go with black dress pants and a nice blouse. I don't think you have to wear a full suit, but dress business casual. Good luck!! :)
  • netchik
    netchik Posts: 587 Member
    That';s a good one. What does the gym manager or shift manager wear? I'm guessing smart casual is a good bet, a suit would definitely be OTT!!!
  • Mom2rh
    Mom2rh Posts: 612 Member
    What do the managers at the gym wear? What position are you applying for? What do the front desk people wear?

    At my gym, the front desk people wear khakis, white top and blue tie. Looks silly to me. The sales people dress up. Women wear heels, men wear nice shoes, nice clothes.

    Depending on what job you are applying for, I'd dress a level or two above the position.
  • KMSForLife
    KMSForLife Posts: 577 Member
    I would go with Khaki's and a nice shirt. It can be a polo or a button down blouse. I would not "over" do it. It's important to look professional but at the same time, blend in with the team. And definetely do not wear sneakers!

    p.s. I am an HR Manager for a living, so hopefully that opinion counts for something . . .
  • YukonJoy
    YukonJoy Posts: 1,279 Member
    I remember someone posting this a while ago.

    If you search I am sure you would find some great suggestions in that thread.
  • jacquelyn_erika
    jacquelyn_erika Posts: 524 Member
    Slacks with a blouse is perfect. If I were you, I would aim for business casual... but not too casual. Sounds like you've got the right idea. Don't over think it.
  • thirtyandthriving
    thirtyandthriving Posts: 613 Member
    "decent slacks that will at least look ok if I wear a belt, with a blouse of some sort"

    Even if the employees dress down you should still look professional. Dress to impress. :) IF you dress like you don't care you give the vibe that you don't care about your interview. We would like to think its about the resume...but..in some ways it is not.
  • beautifulnovember
    beautifulnovember Posts: 75
    I don't know about what to wear for an interview at a gym but I just wanted to wish you Good Luck!!! :)
  • kapeluza
    kapeluza Posts: 3,434 Member
    richard-simmons.jpg
  • ABetterBalance
    ABetterBalance Posts: 298
    I've worked for two gyms. The first one I wore a skirt/blouse to the interview, and the second one I wore a black pants suit. I *always* dress above the position I am applying for.
  • mallorybriann
    mallorybriann Posts: 1,380 Member
    I would wear business casual. Better to overdress a little than underdress.
    Black or gray slacks, a cardigan or blouse.
    Closed toed shoes.
    Nothing that you could wear to a club lol
    (side note: macys is having a great sale. I just got great deals on slacks and blouses)
    Good luck.
    You cant make a 1st impression twice... or something like that
  • Laceylala
    Laceylala Posts: 3,094 Member
    I think any interview a person goes to should be wearing nice business casual clothing at minimum. Unless the company is specifically known for being against that. There are few like that (Rogue Brewery states that specifically in their job section).

    It always blows my mind when we get people in here for job interviews and they are wearing jeans and a hoodie or something. Its like HELLO!!!
  • alecta337
    alecta337 Posts: 622 Member
    Always overdress.

    Wear the most professional thing you have.

    I'd look at it this way: What are the downfalls of overdressing vs. the downfalls of underdressing?

    Granted I am a student and the only interviews I ever went to I wore a full suit.
  • slbeutler
    slbeutler Posts: 205
    I've worked at a gym for the past 13 years and am involved in hiring of trainers and aerobics instructors and I would recommend business casual as well. Nice dress slacks with a professional top, heals if possible. This way, regardless of the position you are applying for you appear to be professional and serious about the position. I would hire someone dressed like that over someone who came in gym attire or jeans.
  • Sassy_Cass
    Sassy_Cass Posts: 408 Member
    Dress to impress girl - make sure that you are figure flattering (you have worked hard for it) and I would say slightly feminine - don't go all sex appeal but I hate to say it, sex sells *please people don't go off the wall at me* a nice skirt and blouse that are FIGURE FLATTERING is what I mean (not something that your grandmother would have worn or that is oversized). Don't go frumpy, don't go manly, go confidently and wear something that demonstrates and emphasises the work you put into looking great!

    Slightly overdressed is never a bad thing - it demonstrates that you care about your appearance and are dressed to impress - the fact that they wear sweats does nto make it ok for you to at your interview *and that is coming from HR aswell*

    Good luck girl - you deserve all the greatness in the world - you have worked hard for what you have,
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    If only I were a little taller... my brother's outfit here would be perfect!

    IMG_2417.jpg

    The suit that says, "I'm sexy and I know it... I work out!" :laugh:

    I think I have some grey slacks that fit ok... they were tight when I tried to wear them last year, so they'll at least not fall down. I have seven cats... black clothes do poorly here. :wink: And I do have a nice selection of casual (not corporate) fitted blazers.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Interview went well. There's three candidates they're interviewing, and three different shifts open, so the math looks pretty good. I'd like the M-F shift... best hours and I'd still get plenty of time with the husband.

    I wore a bright sapphire blue blouse (I'm in love with this color!) and brown slacks with brown boots, but after the interview, I did weights and the treadmill, so my appearance deteriorated rapidly as I became a sweaty blob. :wink:

    interview.jpg

    But... it shows I can look and be professional... without being a princess who's afraid to work.
  • mallorybriann
    mallorybriann Posts: 1,380 Member
    GREAT CHOICE.
    Interview went well. There's three candidates they're interviewing, and three different shifts open, so the math looks pretty good. I'd like the M-F shift... best hours and I'd still get plenty of time with the husband.

    I wore a bright sapphire blue blouse (I'm in love with this color!) and brown slacks with brown boots, but after the interview, I did weights and the treadmill, so my appearance deteriorated rapidly as I became a sweaty blob. :wink:

    interview.jpg

    But... it shows I can look and be professional... without being a princess who's afraid to work.
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    "decent slacks that will at least look ok if I wear a belt, with a blouse of some sort"

    Even if the employees dress down you should still look professional. Dress to impress. :) IF you dress like you don't care you give the vibe that you don't care about your interview. We would like to think its about the resume...but..in some ways it is not.
    Why would we like to think it's about the resume? Do you honestly think your appearance should count for nothing in a position where you are interacting with customers??
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