What to wear to first test...casual?

[tenfour]

I've searched, no luck. I'm going to be testing with a local Sheriff's Department around here and I'm getting mixed opinions on what to wear. Obviously I'm not going to wear a suit and tie, and obviously I'm not going to wear sweatpants. Should I wear khakis (sp?) and a polo, or should I wear a nice pair of jeans and a polo?

My buddy who is a LEO says wear nice jeans and a shirt. My wife says wear khakis and a shirt. I don't want to be the guy who sticks out, either way too dressy or too casual. It's just a test, nothing more.

:eek:

[Uprock]

I wore jeans, not baggy of course, with white kswiss shoes and a collard long sleeve shirt to match. When I went to my first written test, literally one person wore a suit. So he was the one out of place. I noticed a lot of casual dressed clothes though, as in what I wore above, but there were people who wore polo's and what not as well. Some were so carefree and actually wore sports appearal, which I thought was the stupidist thing to wear out of everything. But as a side note, there was a couple hundred of people taking the test, not to mention I went to the second testing time, so there were a couple hundred more at the first testing time.

Some nice jeans/khakis, and a collard shirt would do the trick. Shoes, wear whatever to match, but I wouldn't be wearing basket balls shoes or something like that, although some did.

As someone else said to me, they aren't putting a face to a name yet. The whole time I was at the test site, I only saw two LEO's, and they just spoke on the podium to us as a whole.

[valycop]

Third, dress comfortably for the examination day in appropriate attire that reflects a good impression. I have seen applicants show up at examination sessions in torn jeans, unshaven (no that doesn’t apply to women), tank tops, flip flops and a variety of other attire which instantly sends the wrong message. I personally have proctored examination sessions and when I see someone come into the examination session dressed like they would to clean out the garage then the first thing that pops into my head is “who is THIS person.” If you make a bad impression at the examination session it could very well spill over into the background investigation. Use good common sense in this situation it will pay off in the long run.

http://forums.realpolice.net/showthread.php?t=29514

I realize this part of my article was a little broad, but use good discretion when selecting what you're going to wear. A clean sport shirt and slacks will probably fit the bill.

[RO56]

My buddy who is a LEO says wear nice jeans and a shirt. My wife says wear khakis and a shirt.

You haven't been married for very long, have you?

(Psssssssssssst - when it comes to anything involving clothing selection other than "Which Git-R-Done tee-shirt do I wear today?", listen to the wife!)

[Feisty]

As a wife and a woman, I would say wear the khakis ;)

[wild800]

Business casual, so go with the Khaki's...but not the sloppy baggy ones with the BDU pockets, and shirt with a collar.

[The13ig13adWolf]

either jeans/polo or khakis/polo would work. six to one 1/2 dozen to the other. a lot of the people i tested with looked like they just rolled out of bed. i remember the token guy with the suit though :p.

[tenfour]

Hahahaha...I've been married coming up on 2 years...

Sorry Valor, I forgot about that thread of yours, infact I've even read it before.

"the first thing that pops into my head is “who is THIS person.”

That is exactly what I do NOT want. I don't want the negative attention...I don't want to be the guy who they're calling a clown boxer after I walk out. :D

[Valor55]

My first LE job I wore a suit and tie to the test. I was one of the only ones who did. Funny, I never saw any of the guys I tested with. I met my BI that night and he went to bat for me when something questionable came up in my background. Since he liked me he didn't just DQ me and I was able to clear up the issue. First impressions are everything.

[troysig]

I am in the final stages of getting hired with a small police department but when I did take the test I was overdressed (suit and tie) but I stood out and The captain came up to me and taked to me about the process. I am Glad I did, you will stand out. Even if you wear khakis with a button down and a tie you'll stand out in a good way.

[mxwelch]

I wore a suit and tie and, like Valor, I was the only one. Everyone else had sweats and bibs.:D
They actually wrote down what everyone wore that day, I'm not kidding. They told me so while he wrote it down. I found out later that I was one of the people considered for the position. Did my dress help? I'm inclined to believe it did. It made a very good first impression.

[metallicat]

Why not wear a suit? :confused: They actually tell you up here to wear one.

[webjeep]

For any step of any hiring process where you will be coming into contact or possibly be seen by anyone who may have any say in whether or not you are selected you should dress your best, jacket and tie. The only exception to this is any sort of physical fitness or agility testing.

Granted, I am a bit old school when it comes to some things, but like was previously mentioned, first impressions are everything.

I took my TEA for ATF last month and was amazed at the number of people who were wearing jeans and t-shirts, piercings, etc. I know that in that particular situation the testing is done by OPM, but there were two vehicles with ATF placards in the windshield in front of the hotel. You never know.

It's not really that difficult to tie a tie and put on a jacket and it may just be the thing that sets you above the next guy.

[maukmauk]

I always wear a suit...even during a PAT (Physical Abilities Test). Period.:p

[tenfour]

Well...I'm gonna have to disagree with the suit and tie. At least around here where I'm from, if you wore I suit to a test, you'd look like a clown. I'll go with Dockers. Suit and tie to the interview.

Thanks for the opinions...:D