Proper attire for a Border Patrol interview?

Question

I'll be interviewing very soon for a job as a Border Patrol Agent.  Originally, I had intended to wear a suit and tie to my interview, as I do for any job interview.  A friend of mine, however, says he interviewed recently, and recommends a dress shirt and slacks; no coat, no tie.  He claims that a full suit is inappropriate, and that he was told as much by the chief agent  of the Border Patrol's Puerto Rico Sector!

The letter giving me the when and where of my interview recommends business attire.  

Yet another suggestion I received was that I wear a shirt and tie, but no jacket, since one isn't expected to wear one here in Arizona, where daytime temperatures are often in the 100's.

Any BPAs out there who can give me the facts?

Dog Lover · Accepted Answer

For any law enforcement interview.... wear a coat and tie!

Read this informative article.  I recommend it to everyone that is going in for an oral board or interview:

http://www.realpolice.net/police-oral-boards.shtml

Barry C · Answer

Generally for a job interview you want to:

- dress better then you would during the job

but not so good that the bosses you are interviewing with woudl not dress that way or hang out with you when you are dressed that way.


It is more important to come off comfortable in the social situation then to show you spent tons of money on the latest fashion (unless fashion is part of the job).

In this case I recommend wearing what Border Patrol agents would wear if their best buddy was getting an award for "Border Patrol Agent of the Year".

You will come across as "one of the guys", which is important in a job like that where cameraderie is going to be important.

MickYahoo · Answer

Suit and tie...anyone who tells you to wear something else for a real job interview must be a bonehead. Are we trying to hit some minimal requirement here or do you really want the job? You can always take off the coat and loosen the tie a little if the folks and circumstances warrant it. First impressions happen only once.

WC · Answer

Suits are always the proper attire for any kind of interviews.

KC V ™ · Answer

I agree with DogLover's response. 

What does make me wonder is why ask such a question on this forum and not call a representative with the Border Patrol and ask THEM!

To be an officer anywhere, being resourceful is important!

Hatikvah · Answer

I'm also in Arizona and can tell you that a dress shirt and slacks is always appropriate.  You could take a coat and decide when you get there if you should take it off.  After working in government for 25 years, I would also have to say that dress shirt and slacks would be appropriate.
.

Brod · Answer

Always, always, to a LE interview wear a suit.

In this case, I would try and find a nice brown one, or dark green (since that is the color of thier uniform).

Good luck

ahsoasho2u2 · Answer

professional attire
suit and tie always the most appropriate attire. some may accept standards as less but then you diminish your own standards as a professional.

Anonymous · Answer

Suit is approriate for this interview.

Kevy · Answer

SUIT AND TIE. better to be overdressed than underdressed.

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Proper attire for a Border Patrol interview?

11 Answers