Philosophers in suits at the APA?
It’s time to get excited about this year’s job market!
With this in mind, I would like to ask all of my readers about the job interview dress code at the APA. Now, philosophers come in many shapes and sizes, and have different standards and styles of dress, but in general seem to be relaxed about dress codes and fashion. Why, then, must (?) interviewees for jobs at the APA wear suits?
Some people claim that it is important to wear a suit to an interview because it shows that you take the job or interview seriously. But clearly there are other ways of showing that you take an interview seriously. The fact that a candidate has traveled across the country for an interview would seem to be a strong indication that she takes it seriously. What does a person’s clothing have to do with her character or commitment to what she is doing? Isn’t this entirely arbitrary?
I should also add that many philosophy graduate students and job applicants are poor and without a steady source of income.
Is it fair to expect applicants who are already poor to dish out money for a suit in addition to their already steep travel expenses?
I am interested in what both sides of the interview table have to say about this. Any thoughts?
Artwork by SOON-TO-BE JADED DISSERTATOR from the Philosophy Job Market Blog
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