Cycling to job interviews

[montage]

I would go in a suit unless you need to demonstrate that you can ride a bike.
It is still a job interview, therefore looking smart and professional is still ideal IMO

 

[summerdays]

I cycled to my last interview - found some where near by to change into my interview clothes. Not that I couldn't cycle in them - just didn't want to risk the chain coming off and getting them all oily before the interview (not that it normally does - just was in nervous paranoid mode).

 

[trio25]

I have cycled to an interview and changed at a nearby supermarket before.

Check you need your bike for the interview, I work as a bikeability instructor I never had to demonstrate my bike skills!

 

[andyfromotley]

http://tenerife-training.net/Teneri...tent/uploads/2008/10/fat-cyclist-in-lycra.jpg

 

[Matthames]

Have they definitely said that you will have a practical element to the interview? I think I would want to dress fairly smartly for an interview, maybe they would look at your skills at a later date if you passed the formal interview.

(Easiest way may be ring up and ask them)

There is definitely a practical element to the interview, it was mentioned in the letter inviting me. Reading it properly, it is actually a selection event rather than just an interview.

Your selection event will include:

• an interview with ...........
• a practical session after the interview, which will go ahead whatever the prevailing conditions. Please bring a bicycle and suitable clothing.

I do have a fairly good idea as to what the prevailing conditions might be that day, which is that there is a good chance that it would be dry, however it would be cold.

 

[Norm]

For me, it depends whether it is an interview or a test. If you will be riding, as suggested in the OP, wear something that you will be happy wearing on a bike but as suit-like as possible.

As has been suggested, ask the question of your potential employers. They might be expecting you to turn up ready to ride, or them might have facilities for you to change on site, but only the interviewing company know that.

Who knows, maybe showing the initiative to find out such things is the first part of the interview process. These recruiters can be sneaky types.

 

[Matthames]

I hope the OP is better at cycling than communicating as he still hasn't replied to all of us who've kindly posted advice after his request at 11.55 today .

Welcome to the world of internet forums It is perfectly normal and acceptable practice on internet forums not to reply straight away.

 

[Debian]

I hope the OP is better at cycling than communicating as he still hasn't replied to all of us who've kindly posted advice after his request at 11.55 today .

A bit premature!

Some people have busy lives, I know I sometimes do. There are times when I'll post a question but then don't get chance to get back on the forum for 24 hours, longer if I'm away for the weekend or whatever.

 

[sheddy]

Try smart casual, oxford shirt/button down collar, chinos or similar, smart shoes (put some flat pedals back on the bike)
Leave the cycling jacket with the bike ready to wear out on the test

 

[Arch]

Try smart casual, oxford shirt/button down collar, chinos or similar, smart shoes (put some flat pedals back on the bike)
Leave the cycling jacket with the bike ready to wear out on the test

That was the sort of thing I was going to say - it's quite poosible to look smart, and be able to ride normally. Bike instruction is all about everyday cycling, so everyday clothes are fine.

Black trousers have the added benefit of not showing oil, just in case. I cycled to my last interview (got the job), but they already knew me, and cycling is also part of the job. In fact it took a while for everyone to get over the giggles about me looking interview smart, since our normal workwear is pretty grubby!

 

[joggingbob]

I would suggest phoning them to try and get more information.

from Invitation Letter
Your selection event will include:

• an interview with ...........
• a practical session after the interview, which will go ahead whatever the prevailing conditions. Please bring a bicycle and suitable clothing.

Would the letter not state "and wear suitable clothing" if they didn't expect you to change into your cycling attire? Maybe I am reading into the letter too much.

Regardless - good luck with the interview & selection process !!

 

[Crankarm]

Welcome to the world of internet forums It is perfectly normal and acceptable practice on internet forums not to reply straight away.

Apologies Matt I zipped though the posts rather too quickly it seems missing your response at #7.

I would contact your future employers for an informal chat about the day and suitable dress. I would wear clean cycling gear, long black leggings and a hi-ish viz top/jacket to show you are half serious about safety, plus helmet of course. I guess if you are arriving by bike at this time of year you will have your other warm gear such as neck fleece, hat and gloves and maybe a pannier carrying stuff which all shows you are a proper cyclist. I would clean and service your bike. Attention to detail helps. I think if it were filthy that would raise eyebrows and perhaps create the wrong impression.

Apart from be yourself lots of luck, you probably won't need it. You've obviously applied for the position as you believe you can do the job and they've called you to interview as they think you may have the qualities and skills to be a cycling instructor. All you have to do is show them that it is indeed the case.

 

[ed_o_brain]

This is of no use to this thread what so ever.

I once cycled to a job interview wearing my finest shirt and tie and fairly discrete (so i thought) black cycling shoes.

Needles to say, I didn't get the job.

 

[summerdays]

I would clean and service your bike. Attention to detail helps. I think if it were filthy that would raise eyebrows and perhaps create the wrong impression.

Wow - a bike interview

(Agree with Crankarm - if the bike is going to be interviewed too - make sure its clean and serviced - it wouldn't give a good impression if you turned up with your brakes not working for example).

 

[Spinney]

As bikeability is getting beginners into cycling, I would make the cycling part of your outfit not team-strip lycra kind of stuff, but more normal Ron-hill type leggins, plus hi-vis top etc as someone has already said. You don't want to give the punters the impression that they have to kit themselves out in lycra to be a 'proper' cyclist.