agreed hay, you need to decide whats most appropriate for the situation, but always be well presented of course, my last job i went for wearing a black polo shirt and jeans, no interview or nothing just walked in off the street had a chat and they called me up a few days later to tell me i could have the job i wanted it and its the best job ive ever had
Coffeeholic:
If I’m interviewing someone for a driving job and they turn up in a suit I’ll go through the motions of the interview but they won’t be getting the job. It’s a labourers job FFS, just turn up on time, clean and tidy with boots, driving licence and digi card.
To an extent, but from my experience your perspective would mean you’d miss out on a lot of very good drivers. There’s still a fair few of the older boys who wouldn’t turn up in anything but a suit, and I’ve often found this true of ex-servicemen of any age. It’s how they were brought up, and IMO gives only positive vibes to an employer. It says;
- This man makes an effort and therefore really wants the job.
- This man has good standards of personal hygiene, which is something that helps my company’s image with our customers, and can only benefit my fleet; the inference being of course that if he keeps himself in good nick then he’ll do the same to his truck.
Combine this with a good manner, punctuality and decent references and you’re halfway to the job.
I accept that dress standards in this day and age have eased off, and TBH I no longer own a suit myself (they shrank in the wardrobe 
) but I am a firm believer that first impressions count. Suit or no suit, you’ve got thirty seconds from when you sit down to get the interviewer’s attention, keep it and make him want to employ you rather than the other fifty who are after that job.
Just as an aside; here’s a quick list of the things, in no particular order, that used to put me off drivers when I was interviewing…
- Stale body odour.
- Bad breath, especially if combined with teeth that haven’t seen a brush all week.
- Dirty clothes… I don’t mean honest working dirt (fine if he’s just come off shift) but stuff that looks like it’s been worn for a week.
- Language. We all eff and blind, but if a driver can’t control that at an interview then he’s not likely to do so in front of customers… bad for business.
- Lack of preparation…only bringing one part of driving licence, lateness unless forewarned by phone call, CV miles out of date.
All pretty simple stuff really, and effectively they all come down to part #5, preparation. It has to be said in fairness that some people just don’t interview well, often down to nervousness; this often happens when a bloke’s been out of work for a while and his self-confidence is beginning to ebb, and a decent interviewer should be able to spot this and allow for it.
Some might decry the “HR” culture, and yes at smaller firms it might not matter so much; what you’ve got to remember though is that the bloke behind the desk is trying to get the best deal he can for his company, and it’s down to you to convice him that you’re the man he wants.
beattun:
cannon the furthest i think i would go, if i was turning up for an interview with one of the more “corporate” haulage companies would slacks, clean boots and a tucked in shirt with no tie. if i was interviewing for a truck drivers position and someone came in wearing a suit, my first impression would be that this lad doesnt know this industry at all, BUT a lot of these HR people dont know this industry either and herein lies a problem
Your comment regarding HR people is a very valid point. At big companies you many have usually 3 people interviewing. A transport manager who SHOULD know about drivers but he is the only one that usually does. You would normally have another 2 people who deal with HR. Remember that this is their job. They have been on the courses, they have interviewed other people before for jobs that have nothing to do with drivers, they are the ones that usually have the big influence on who is taken on with the transport manager adding the Critera for what they want. The assessor will also have a big say because if he states that the driver is not good enough then the driver will not be asked to return.
At small Companies this would be a lot different.
So it will be the HR staff that will be very interested on appearance as per HR training.
The world has changed
gnasty gnome:
Coffeeholic:
If I’m interviewing someone for a driving job and they turn up in a suit I’ll go through the motions of the interview but they won’t be getting the job. It’s a labourers job FFS, just turn up on time, clean and tidy with boots, driving licence and digi card.To an extent, but from my experience your perspective would mean you’d miss out on a lot of very good drivers. There’s still a fair few of the older boys who wouldn’t turn up in anything but a suit, and I’ve often found this true of ex-servicemen of any age. It’s how they were brought up, and IMO gives only positive vibes to an employer. It says;
- This man makes an effort and therefore really wants the job.
- This man has good standards of personal hygiene, which is something that helps my company’s image with our customers, and can only benefit my fleet; the inference being of course that if he keeps himself in good nick then he’ll do the same to his truck.
Combine this with a good manner, punctuality and decent references and you’re halfway to the job.
I accept that dress standards in this day and age have eased off, and TBH I no longer own a suit myself (they shrank in the wardrobe
Just as an aside; here’s a quick list of the things, in no particular order, that used to put me off drivers when I was interviewing…
- Stale body odour.
- Bad breath, especially if combined with teeth that haven’t seen a brush all week.
- Dirty clothes… I don’t mean honest working dirt (fine if he’s just come off shift) but stuff that looks like it’s been worn for a week.
- Language. We all eff and blind, but if a driver can’t control that at an interview then he’s not likely to do so in front of customers… bad for business.
- Lack of preparation…only bringing one part of driving licence, lateness unless forewarned by phone call, CV miles out of date.
All pretty simple stuff really, and effectively they all come down to part #5, preparation. It has to be said in fairness that some people just don’t interview well, often down to nervousness; this often happens when a bloke’s been out of work for a while and his self-confidence is beginning to ebb, and a decent interviewer should be able to spot this and allow for it.
Some might decry the “HR” culture, and yes at smaller firms it might not matter so much; what you’ve got to remember though is that the bloke behind the desk is trying to get the best deal he can for his company, and it’s down to you to convice him that you’re the man he wants.
Above is a great post and I agree wholeheartedly with it. I always look to see that the applicant has made an effort. They don’t have to turn up in a suit but those that have made an effort to look smart always have the upper hand.
First impressions are vitally important. You want someone who will sell themselves and what they will bring but you don’t want to hear countless stories of when they were in the SAS, assisted saving people in a ferry disaster, put out a fire in a German truckstop, etc etc.
One thing I would add that puts me off is someone coming in stinking of smoke. If you do, don’t have a ■■■ just before going into the interview, give yourself some time to ‘freshen’ up. I smoke so am no saint, but can’t stand the smell of someone who has thrown his ■■■ ■■■■ just before walking into an office.
beattun:
i would never show up for a trucking job in a suit, where has the realism gone with the industry in the uk? do people really need to see truck drivers bopping around in shirt and tie? its not an office job you can still be presentable without looking like a stuffed shirt, its all going too corporate and really its all a bit silly
I agree - suit looks wrong. Clean and tidy looks right - jeans and a shirt would be fine. Wear safety boots.
The HR people at the interview are much more concerned about compliance than suitability.
Just wear what you feel most comfortable and at ease in, as long as it’s clean and appropriate for the Job.
I would feel uncomfortable turning up for a truck driving interview in a suit. To me, it just doesn’t seem right for the job. I would much rather wear some jeans and a smart-casual shirt/polo shirt and a pair of polished shoes or boots. I have been for interviews wearing my work clothes but i have always made it clear that i’ve just come from work and i’ve always made the effort to clean myself up as much as possible ( wash hands/arms and face, brush dirt off clothes if possible). No-one wants to shake a dirty hand!
You should always be prepared with an up to date cv, any certificates you hold, your digi-card and both parts of your license. Nothing is worse than having to explain why you don’t have these things with you. You WILL sound lame!
Don’t be afraid to own up to any mistakes you may make. It shows you are aware of what you are doing. On the driving assessment for my current job, i only realised i’d forgotten to put my digi-card in when the assessor told me to take it out!
Above all, be positive and upbeat without being annoying!
Good Luck 
gnasty gnome:
A quick question sort of related to this; Cannon, you might be ideally placed to answer it.If a driver were to go for an interview, would the prospective employer be entitled to pop his digi-card into their reader to see what they’ve been up to; and, in effect, see if they’ve been driving legally?
Not having been trained on the supervisory side of digis, I’m not sure if it’s either legal or possible but it’d be useful for others to know.
Given your previous background, that would be a novelty, an employment agency having the ability to physically read a driver card and not rely on destroying half a rain forest. 
Cannon:
On that checklist will be appearance and they are looking for a suite.
I would bet a considerable sum that they aren’t.
Unless maybe it’s an interview for DFS (Sale Now On!).
Wheel Nut:
Given your previous background, that would be a novelty, an employment agency having the ability to physically read a driver card and not rely on destroying half a rain forest.
Ha! I was actually asking about hauliers mate; As you know I’ve been out of the agency game for a few years, but I don’t doubt your comments about paper trails will have a ring or truth!
Coffeeholic:
Cannon:
On that checklist will be appearance and they are looking for a suite.I would bet a considerable sum that they aren’t.
Unless maybe it’s an interview for DFS (Sale Now On!).
arghh, bribary with confectionary…never thought of that one 
Cannon:
beattun:
i would never show up for a trucking job in a suit, where has the realism gone with the industry in the uk? do people really need to see truck drivers bopping around in shirt and tie? its not an office job you can still be presentable without looking like a stuffed shirt, its all going too corporate and really its all a bit sillyI understand the arguments being made but a lot of it is down to first impressions. It also depends on which company you are being interviewed at. A small haulage firm is a lot different to say a supermarket distribution depot. Big companies have checklists they must follow and keep to ensure equal opportunities. On that checklist will be appearance and they are looking for a suite.
I know hardened truckers would not agree with this but “it has gone corporate” as stated by beattun.
I hope that Malcolmj can give us all a shout once he has had the interview. Would be interesting to know how he went on
Cannon, I assume you hire and fire drivers? As above, do you work for DFS■■?
Can I suggest if you do like drivers to wear a suit (and I agree it’s a good idea, especially for large employers) you spell it correctly…not sure what a suite would be used for in a truck - you’d have to put it in the trailer 'cos it wouldn’t fit in the cab…
PMSL
Coffeeholic:
Cannon:
On that checklist will be appearance and they are looking for a suite.I would bet a considerable sum that they aren’t.
Unless maybe it’s an interview for DFS (Sale Now On!).
I didn’t want to push the point, but a bloke who checks a CV really ought to know what he is looking for, especially when he wrote the word himself
Wearing a suit to a driving interview is probably not a good idea, especially a suit that the DWP have paid for.
Wheel Nut:
Coffeeholic:
Cannon:
On that checklist will be appearance and they are looking for a suite.I would bet a considerable sum that they aren’t.
Unless maybe it’s an interview for DFS (Sale Now On!).
I didn’t want to push the point, but a bloke who checks a CV really ought to know what he is looking for, especially when he wrote the word himself
I thought he might have heeded the earlier ■■■■ take by your good self but sadly no. I felt a less subtle approach was maybe in order. Guess where I was possibly going with it next? Still, what do we know, we’re just smart but casual truck drivers. 
thanks for the wonderful reply’s just tried my “suit” on but allais it too has shrunk in the wardrobe so i shall take an easy chair non recliner dont wanna be too relaxed
I shall let you know how i got on this time tomorrow
malcolmj:
I shall let you know how i got on this time tomorrow
Good luck mate. It ain’t been too easy in haulage down here lately, hope you get lucky. 
As my grandad used to say…
“you can always dress down, but can’t dress up”.
I don’t think there is a boss out there that would hold it against you if you did wear a suit, but, I bet theres a few that would hold it against you if you did’nt.
If you wore a waistcoat would it be a 3 piece suite?
Wheel Nut:
If you wore a waistcoat would it be a 3 piece suite?
Hehehe,
