Living Car Free - Job Interviews

One area of concern for me in recently finalizing my car-free transition [i.e. selling my car] has been the issue of job interviews.

What do you do when you have an interview? It was one of few exceptions I've made to drive in the past year. My concern is showing up sweaty and frumpled, and the possibility of job discrimination if 'found out'. Also, now the option to drive has become less convenient for me - entailing borrowing or renting.

Do you bike to interviews? What is your preferred procedure?

I took the bus to interview for my current job.

But I've also flown, rented cars, used my wife's, whatever it took to arrive fresh and ready for the interview.

I've also ridden to interviews and gotten the job. But the important thing is to arrive looking professional.

I don't bring up bicycling in the interview, and I know I have dependable transportation. :commute:

I've walked about 1 km through thick snow on an unplowed road in the middle of December, wearing heavy Sorel boots to get to a job interview.

I got the job.

Machka,

That's awesome! I make it a point to tromp around after the season's biggest snowfall. In a city of over 1 million, it's amazing how much more friendly and sociable people become during those conditions. I always help push a few cars. During a blizzard two years ago, a friend visited me by skiing down what is usually a busy urban arterial highway!

I actually thought about skiing to that interview!! :lol:

You can always freshen up or even change in the restroom

Probably has to do a lot with what type of job it is you are interviewing for. If you want a high level corporate management job at Hewlett Packard, best to borrow or rent a car for the interview. Make the call on a case by case basis. If it is a management job at Clif Bar or Patagonia, a bike might be a plus. Just depends.

If you want a high level corporate management job at Hewlett Packard, best to borrow or rent a car for the interview. .
I wonder if you could rent a Pinarello for such an occasion.:innocent:

I went to an interview over a year ago and noticed the guy had a bike in his office. I told him I ride and plan on riding to work if I get the job. He asked if I rode to the interview, I said no, I got a ride in a car. He was disappointed. I didn't get the job. Anecdote, I know, but still...

The person I interviewed with for my current job knew about my bicycling. We had both worked on the video production at Arkansas Twisters arena football games, and my bike was well known by production staff and some of the team members.

But it wasn't an issue at the interview. I had demonstrated reliable transportation already.

Someone posted an article not too long about about this situation. When you don't have a car, you just have to get up earlier. It's a given that a job interview may require a cab but these short term expenses are what's involved in being car free. Once you have the job, choose whatever car free method to arrive on time.

I wonder if you could rent a Pinarello for such an occasion.:innocent:
There you go, pull up on a bike that costs more than most cars. I love it. I am actually job hunting right now and sort of concentrating on companies that are "green" or bike commuter friendly. I live in a good area for it though.

There you go, pull up on a bike that costs more than most cars. I love it. I am actually job hunting right now and sort of concentrating on companies that are "green" or bike commuter friendly. I live in a good area for it though.

For you, a Trek would be more than serviceable. Save the fancy Italian bikes for when you're looking for that job in Green Real Estate.

There you go, pull up on a bike that costs more than most cars. I love it. I am actually job hunting right now and sort of concentrating on companies that are "green" or bike commuter friendly. I live in a good area for it though.

There are good areas in Oakland? :innocent:

UD