wearing a kilt to a fire Dept. interview

[flairball]

I'd say skip the kilt. It'll probably make the interviewers see you as too individual, or different. Just play it safe, and do what it takes to get the job. After that you can wear the kilt without worrying it'll cost you a job. I'm on the FD here in Boston. FD's want members who are "safe". After you get the job you can begin to defuse any kilt misconceptions members of the dept might have. Good Luck.

[JayFilomena]

Several years ago, I had an chance to wear my kilt to an Fire Dept interview. It was for a volunteer department that was going paid. The reason I was able to wear my kilt to the interview was I already had a job, and getting or not getting this one really didnt matter. Also, I am a Naitonal Registered Paramedic, and the Department really needs Paramedics. (I talked about this on another thread) So as long as I presented myself knowledgable and professional, the kilt was not really an issue. Yes it was an issue and I received some friendly questions about it, but in the end, my work history and credentials were more important then my kilt and I was hired. Also, the people that were on my panel were men and women I have worked with for 8 years. None of them had ever seen me kilted before, but they knew me well enough to not be surprised.

I have not read the entire thread, but will give my two cents.

A. Will there be anyone on the interview that is familiar with you?
B. Do you need this job?
C. Do they need you?
D. Is there a story behind the tartan? if there is a story behind the tartan, it will come up in the interview and may impress the board.

Play it by ear, and if you need this job and are uncertain...go with out. That is not to discourage you. I actually encourage you to wear it. You will be able to pull it off if done right. Where I am from, it is not uncommon to have 300 applicants for 15 openings. If you can set yourself apart from 285 other guys, the kilt might just be the thing that tells the Chief...This is the kind of guy I want in my department.

When I go home in August, I fully intend towear my kilt to my interviews. And I think when I tell the chief about my Operation Iraqi Freedom tartan and what the men over here went through to make it happen, it will be a selling point and not a negative. And if the chief doesnt want me because I am honoring the men that died in my arms, then I dont want to work for that department.

[way2fractious]

... if i make it to the oral boards then I am in the top 16 (since they are only taking 8 ) ....

Does your turn in front of the oral boards have time for questions and answers on matters not covered elsewhere in the application and interview process. If invited to the oral boards, respond by seeking an invitation to bring your pipes and play them a tune, a simple audition. In addition to all the other tests you would have passed by this point, it seems that your piping expertise should certainly be brought up by you, if not by them.

[Frank McGrath]

My 2 cents:

To thine own self be true. Do what is in your heart.

If your credentials say that you can do the job, then it will be. Best Of Luck.

Frank

[kilted in kleaveland]

I have no idea about how long this whole process is but, have you decided / how did it go? If you went kilted to the interview, do you feel this helped or hindered you? I hope this works out for you. Kurious in Kleaveland.