Cycling to interviews & meetings (job).

[BluesDave]

Good morning,
I have a job interview at 11.30 today in Putney. I regularly cycle to and from Putney and rather than using the bus I'd prefer to cycle to the interview. In fact I'd prefer to cycle to all the meetings I have. Not only would I arrive more alert and refreshed but I'd also save money on fares also it would take less time than public transport.
The only problem is that I need to wear a suit to interviews and some of these meetings as this is what convention dictates rather than more appropriate cycling clothing (for cycling) or other clothes.
I wonder what your views would be on someone arriving for an interview who'd had the initiative to come by bicycle whether you are an employer or employee?

 

[upsidedown]

I would be very impressed. Stick a polo shirt and a pair of trousers in your bag, quick change in the toilets and you'll look great.

Good luck with the interview btw

Paul

 

[Red Light]

Cycle there in your suit and just take it a bit slower so you don't get all sweaty. Sorted. I cycle to meetings in London all the time and having a Brompton which I carry in with me it gets you remembered and is a talking point - no bad thing.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

snap

 

[Dayvo]

Could you get away with this (plus a pair of trousers, of course)?

I'd give you the job on the spot if I was the boss! Good luck.

 

[Bman]

For interviews, I like to dress to impress. That means no chain oil on my tousers or sweaty interviewee. So I take the bus/taxi.

I once got the job, over one other person, who wore a polo shirt to the interview. I was fully suited and booted. I still believe my attire made a difference.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Dress for the destination not the journey and enter the world of "The Slow Bicycle Movement".

Folk wear civvies when they walk, and only put on specialist sports clothes if they run. Apply the same principle to your cycling.

 

[xxmimixx]

You might just be sitting nervously there waiting to be called in... Good luck, hope it goes well for you, please let us know

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've cycled to a number of job interviews over the years, I've usually worn the clothes I will wear at the interview, just allowed plenty of time to get there and cycled easy.

 

[screenman]

In some people eye's cyclist equals oddball, might just go against you in an interview. As an employer I would say it would not set me against you, however I am a cyclist.

 

[ColinJ]

In some people eye's cyclist equals oddball, might just go against you in an interview. As an employer I would say it would not set me against you, however I am a cyclist.

Would you want to be employed by people who see you as an oddball for being a cyclist?

 

[screenman]

I would not want to be employed full stop. If I urgently needed the job to provide for my family I would not worry about what people thought about me, in the hope that I would be able to convert them later.

Maybe a job with Mr Sugar would be a good idea.

Do you not agree that some people see us as slightly odd?

 

[ColinJ]

I wouldn't want to be employed either! I realised it when I was 15, but forgot about it when it was time to get a job. I soon got some unpleasant reminders though ...

People definitely see us as odd. Any form of exercise seems odd to a lot of people ... Some of my former colleagues couldn't understand why I would rather run up 3 double flights of stairs in the morning than have them hold the lift doors open for me, and they also couldn't understand how I beat the lift every time!

 

[Bman]

Would you want to be employed by people who see you as an oddball for being a cyclist?

Sort of.

Once your employed, they cant use it against you. Besides, I like a bit of a challenge.

Battling management for cycling facilites makes the days fly by

I'm still waiting for the right moment to pull the "We are expected to wear a uniform, therefore by law, you should provide changing facilites and secure storage for clothing" card

 

[Ian H]

Who's likely to see how you arrive? As long as you're appropriately dressed for the interview and (preferably) not purple-faced and gasping for breath, I can't see any problem. Plus, you'll doubtless, as you said, be more alert for the exercise.