Calling all hiring managers: Rolex or no?

[NewEnthusiast]

The last few people I interviewed were by phone so I didn't see their watch but had they been wearing something interesting, I would have noticed it and made a mental note to talk to them about it if they were good enough to be hired as a way of building a personal connection.

Bottom line, it would not affect my decision to hire or not.

You didn't say if your bluesey was WG or YG. If it's WG then non-watch people might notice it's a Rolex but not much more. Watch people will notice but probably understand why you're wearing it and not seeing it as ostentation.

Ultimately, you want to walk into the interview feeling as confident as possible so you can put your case for being hired as well as possible. If wearing your Rolex makes you stand that little bit taller then it should be on your wrist

Very good luck for the interview and let us know how it goes.

[dominic.warren]

Originally Posted by O'Shack Hennessy

I think It depends on what job you are interviewing for.

I agree with the above statement.

[Spectre007]

I would wear it. but if you're really concerned, pick up a Daniel Wellington slim dress watch off ebay for like $80.
It's simple and elegant for a cheap quartz watch and they are in style right now.
It will fit SUPER easy under a dress cuff and it is so downplayed that the focus will be on YOU and not on your watch.

I have actually worn a nice watch to an interview and used it as a talking point (think I should be a watch salesmen) and it worked, they actually offered me the job lol

[Chiboy]

I bought my first Rolex at 25 (a TT). That was a different era, but I always thought you want to look well put together and successful in an interview. What's next? Wear a cheap suit? Given that all of us on here can talk watches and not just sound like a dumb status seeker, if it spurs a conversation, you will sound like an enthusiast rather than a DB.

I would think you would be interviewing with higher ups who will not be intimidated by the possibility of an interviewee wearing a nicer watch than they do.

[Schmed]

Great advice in this thread....

My decision on hiring a salesperson tends to come down to the candidate's:

- persistence to get the interview
- appropriate and timely follow-up
- listening skills
- ability to make me excited to hire them

But, if you have job-hopped to get where you are (and your Rolex), I won't even return your calls and emails.

Here's the thing - for some percentage of the population, a Rolex is a turn-off. It's a perception thing. You have a short time frame to make an impression, and all the hiring manager will have to rely upon is his/her impression of you. Why risk wearing a watch that "might" give the wrong impression?

Wear a Sinn or Omega or Seiko. That way, if they are a watch-enthusiast, there's something to talk about. If not, at least you minimize the risk of them being (wrongly) offended by your watch.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I hired someone wearing a YG YMII but not because of the watch.

I actually don't believe this.

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I bought my first Rolex at 25 (a TT). That was a different era, but I always thought you want to look well put together and successful in an interview. What's next? Wear a cheap suit? Given that all of us on here can talk watches and not just sound like a dumb status seeker, if it spurs a conversation, you will sound like an enthusiast rather than a DB.

I would think you would be interviewing with higher ups who will not be intimidated by the possibility of an interviewee wearing a nicer watch than they do.

Not a cheap watch but a nice watch, and a SS Rolex would be fine here, but when you step up to TT and gold then you give off different impressions, that's just how it is, and you open yourself up to more judgements and 90% of the time the gold will not go over well in the real world, so why play these bad odds? So I wouldn't wear one, and I have many full gold pieces.

[stil]

There's a lot of great advice in this thread...and maybe some that isn't so great.

That said, the more I think about this I come back to one thing.

Do what will make you feel comfortable. IMHO, changing your routine for important events is a mistake as you will feel out of your element and not yourself.

Think golf...any successful golfer has a routine and they stick to it for a reason.

[Ch035]

Lots of good info here and I appreciate everyone's candor. I forgot I had another option. My father in law has an old school oyster date he doesn't wear. that may fit the bill. It's kind of small at 36mm but it's understated, quality and still a conversation piece if I run into a watch guy.

[Ch035]

Better pic

[Sierrarls]

There's a reason that a defense attorney will tell his client to forget wearing the $2000 suit and dial it down while in front of a jury.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Sierrarls

There's a reason that a defense attorney will tell his client to forget wearing the $2000 suit and dial it down while in front of a jury.

That would be more relevant if getting acquitted of a crime were the same as getting hired for a job.

[tomchicago]

Depends how you come off. If you come off like a jerk, it will reinforce that view. If they like you, it will reinforce that. Takeaway: the watch don't matter-- YOU do.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by AK797

I agree, as it is on your mind you could even subconsciously draw attention to your watch and that could make you look even worse. As you are 30 I don't think it's an issue altho I probably would only wear a SS Rolex in a first interview.

+1 SS is the way to go for interviews

Forget all this wear what you want crap, that's for your personal time. On the job you always have to be mindful. May not be an issue, but may be an issue. IMO things to consider:

1. What is the comp for the position you're interviewing for. If a bluesy is within affordability of that position, lights green.

2. What does your bonus/commission structure look like. Are you expected to be able to make such purchases as a Rolex with your potential pay.

3. What is the culture of your industry. Not sales do I mean, but actual industry.

Of the above you need to be aware that some hiring managers could worry that you will be unhappy with the compensation and leave quickly. Especially, if the proposed comp does not meet your perceived level of tastes. If it was an $80k per year job and you're a 30 yr old wearing a watch worth 10% of your take home, I'm not hiring you. Tough, but honest.

Other things to consider is if pay level is lower scale, then other employees they could feel jealous and incorrectly assume you got a better package. All things that will cross a good hiring manger's mind when interviewing for non-executive and non-managerial roles.

I'd break out the watch later after working a few weeks and say it's a special piece you bought yourself as a reward years ago and say you only break it out for special ocassions.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by ftx i

don't wear any watch and focus exclusively on your job interview. If it wasn't an issue you wouldn't be here asking strangers. Just my humble opinion.

x2

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by 904VT

+1 SS is the way to go for interviews

Forget all this wear what you want crap, that's for your personal time. On the job you always have to be mindful. May not be an issue, but may be an issue. IMO things to consider:

1. What is the comp for the position you're interviewing for. If a bluesy is within affordability of that position, lights green.

2. What does your bonus/commission structure look like. Are you expected to be able to make such purchases as a Rolex with your potential pay.

3. What is the culture of your industry. Not sales do I mean, but actual industry.

Of the above you need to be aware that some hiring managers could worry that you will be unhappy with the compensation and leave quickly. Especially, if the proposed comp does not meet your perceived level of tastes. If it was an $80k per year job and you're a 30 yr old wearing a watch worth 10% of your take home, I'm not hiring you. Tough, but honest.

Other things to consider is if pay level is lower scale, then other employees they could feel jealous and incorrectly assume you got a better package. All things that will cross a good hiring manger's mind when interviewing for non-executive and non-managerial roles.

I'd break out the watch later after working a few weeks and say it's a special piece you bought yourself as a reward years ago and say you only break it out for special ocassions.

That is good, real world advice..

[clickred]

Originally Posted by subking86

I agree for the most part. It depends on what you're interviewing for. Sales? It depends on what type of sales. Auto salesman, real estate agent, jewelry sales, other more expensive sales where commission is mainly or partly how you make your money? I would say wear it because it shows you're able to close deals and make money (for both you and the company). Of course, that's if they even notice it. If you're in sales in a more basic, cheaper industry, I'd say keep it at home for a day.

This makes complete sense. I interview a lot of people for mid level manager positions, and trust me, as long as you seem presentable, only your answers and personality count.

If you go in a interview with any doubt about the watch, it will show and hurt your chances, one the other hand, if it helps you be who you are and appear confident, go for it.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

That is good, real world advice..

[Wooddog44]

Originally Posted by patrickjb

If I were interviewing you, I would notice it - but it would have no effect on my hiring process.

Wear it with pride, 90% of people don't notice regardless.

Good luck!

I agree, essentially, with this and would add that in most cases anyone who notices what kind of watch you have likely knows enough about watches to not make any "judgements" on you based solely on your watch.

[starnd]

I'd say it depends on what kind of job/company you are interviewing for.

In my line of work, I'm far more interested in how a candidate answers questions. However, my business caters to UHNW individuals, and a candidate who appreciates fine things is less likely to be troublesome in a UHNW environment. In that sense it would be a plus.

More importantly, it would for me be a conversation starter and would allow me to observe the candidate's personality outside of traditional interview questions. Since personality is very important in what my company does, that would be a welcome opportunity.

[ddaly12]

Originally Posted by Ch035

Better pic

Wear that. No issue whatsoever.

[Wrighty50]

This is really very simple. I'd wear mine and wouldn't make any difference, it all depends on the sector you work in and what you do.
If in any doubt, don't wear it. It's not a big deal. When you get hired, wear it daily!

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by 904VT

If it was an $80k per year job and you're a 30 yr old wearing a watch worth 10% of your take home, I'm not hiring you. Tough, but honest.

Why? Maybe he made (a lot of) money, trust fund, ... and is just looking for a job.

[patrickjb]

One more thing to add here, and it may have been mentioned already. When you're being interviewed, you're also interviewing the company to see if you'd be a good fit and would like the environment.

Let's say hypothetically that the hiring manager did notice your watch, and resented you for it - would you want to wear your watch on day one, as a representation of who you are, and find out they resent you then?

Wear it to the interview, and if it makes up someones mind on whether or not you deserve the job - then they're doing you a favor.

[Schmed]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Why? Maybe he made (a lot of) money, trust fund, ... and is just looking for a job.

If I'm hiring a sales guy, thinking he has a trust fund has me wondering how hungry he is! (speaking from prior experience when candidate's wife made $$$$ and it turned out the guy I hired just wanted to keep busy, but was never really motivated)

[ivanos]

The negative view on 80K/y salary with a 8K watch is a serious bias and prejudice. Especially not acceptable for a watch enthusiast. I personally wouldn't bother considering such job/company if that work environment has such kind of conception.


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[run23]

The answer is easy: if you are not comfortable/questioning whether you should wear, then don't. The last thing you need is for the interviewer to casually glance at your wrist and make you paranoid that he/she is judging you based on your watch. They probably aren't, but it could be a distraction for you, which you don't need when you need to be poised and focused.

Be comfortable and focus on the interview.

[phalen302]

If anyone wears it with confidence, comes in for an interview and shows chops related to the role, he/she would have a leg up on all the other candidates in my book. But if someone is just flashing it to get a role, that is a no-no. It all about the self confidence and presentation.

[hjsohn]

Originally Posted by ivanos

The negative view on 80K/y salary with a 8K watch is a serious bias and prejudice. Especially not acceptable for a watch enthusiast. I personally wouldn't bother considering such job/company if that work environment has such kind of conception.


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I agree it is bias and prejudice, but I do believe these type of company/work environment do exist in the real world. Don't take any chances and wear the SS or don't wear one at all. You can wear your bluesy after you sign that offer letter.

[urwtdrm]

Wear it proudly! 99.9% of people don't notice or judge. More likely he's a Rolex fan.

[Kyle13]

In today's "world" its not longer suit and tie for interviews, yea you always hear "dress to impress", but in my world, if you know your stuff and have an exceptional background or resume, you probably will get hired.